Jaishankar and Rubio Clash Over Russia Sanctions Bill

The law, signed by President Donald Trump, mandates tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods from countries that remain top importers of Russian energy or assist in sanctions evasion. For New Delhi, this presents a direct fiscal threat. India has emerged as a primary destination for discounted Russian crude, a dependency that grew after the regional supply shocks following the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Previous attempts to curb these imports led to a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods in August 2025, which were later rescinded based on promises to reduce intake. However, consumption rebounded in 2026. Indian officials maintain that these purchases are essential to managing domestic inflation and energy security for a massive, growing economy, rather than a strategic endorsement of the conflict in Ukraine. With the new legislation requiring swift executive action, the pressure on the Indian export sector intensifies as the 30-day window for tariff imposition begins to close.