India has cautioned that proposed US legislation, which would authorize President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil, could undermine ties between New Delhi and Washington while also disrupting global energy markets.
The US Congress gave final approval to this sweeping sanctions package on Wednesday, sending it to President Trump for his signature. A White House official indicated that the president plans to sign the measure in the coming days.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, New Delhi noted that it had already raised the matter with US officials in recent months. India's foreign ministry stated that it had "very clearly articulated the potential impact of the issue not only on bilateral relations but also on the international energy market."
US-India relations have grown more fraught over the past year, largely due to tariff disputes and Trump's claims that he helped mediate a conflict between India and Pakistan. Although both sides have since worked to repair ties, a final trade agreement has yet to be reached.
New Delhi added in its statement that it remains "determined to take all necessary measures to safeguard trade and economic interests. India will continue to be firmly committed to securing energy security for its 1.4 billion people."