The United States has sought to address India’s concerns over the potential impact of the proposed Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act on their bilateral relations, assuring that there are “no hard feelings” despite India’s apprehensions. The legislation could impose tariffs of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian energy, a category that includes India, a significant buyer of Russian oil.
A senior U.S. State Department official conveyed Washington’s understanding of India’s position, especially after some U.S. lawmakers criticized India’s continued purchase of Russian energy. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has cautioned that the legislation might affect the India-U.S. relationship and the global energy market, emphasizing the potential consequences for India’s energy security.
The legislation includes a national security waiver provision allowing the U.S. president to exempt specific countries from certain measures under particular circumstances. While the U.S. official did not confirm whether India would be granted such a waiver, they noted that the provision could be applied based on national security considerations.
Discussions regarding the matter took place during a meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The U.S. expressed its support for countries looking to diversify their energy sources, acknowledging India’s ongoing energy needs.
The U.S. official also highlighted the continued collaboration between the two nations through platforms like the Quad and mentioned Rubio’s planned visit to India in October, indicating ongoing diplomatic engagement and cooperation between the countries.