India Defends Energy Strategy Against New US Sanctions Bill

India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on Friday that the government is monitoring the legislation, which aims to penalize countries maintaining energy ties with Moscow. Despite the potential for punitive tariffs, New Delhi maintains that its procurement strategy is driven solely by the need to secure affordable and reliable energy for its 1.4 billion citizens. Jaiswal emphasized that India’s approach relies on a diversified portfolio of international suppliers, including the United States.

The proposed act, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, grants the US president authority to levy heavy tariffs not only on the five largest importers of Russian energy but also on nations accused of helping Russia circumvent existing sanctions. While the bill underscores robust bipartisan support in Washington for ongoing pressure on Moscow, Indian officials confirmed they remain in active diplomatic communication with American stakeholders to navigate the potential fallout. India continues to balance its long-standing energy requirements with the evolving geopolitical pressures exerted by Capitol Hill.