The United States has sought to play down tensions with India after New Delhi warned that a new American sanctions law targeting countries that purchase Russian energy could have implications for bilateral relations.
A senior US State Department official said Washington understood India’s decision to respond to the legislation, pointing out that US lawmakers had publicly criticised India’s continued purchases of Russian energy. “There are no sort of hard feelings” over India’s response, the official said, according to reports.
The comments came after the US Congress passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which was subsequently signed into law by President Donald Trump. The legislation gives the US president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries among the largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas. India and China are among the countries that could potentially be affected.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs had earlier warned that the legislation could affect not only the country’s energy security but also its relationship with Washington. New Delhi said the issue had been discussed with US officials at senior levels and that India had clearly communicated the possible consequences for the bilateral relationship and international energy markets.
The issue was also raised during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The discussions covered bilateral relations as well as India’s concerns over the sanctions legislation.
The US official, however, emphasised that the legislation gives President Trump an additional policy tool but does not necessarily mean that tariffs will immediately be imposed. The law also contains a broad national-security waiver, giving the US president discretion over its application.
Washington has also indicated that it wants to expand energy exports to India. The US official said India has significant energy requirements and has been looking to diversify its sources of energy for years. The official suggested that increased US hydrocarbon exports could provide another option for India as it seeks to secure its energy supplies.
For India, the issue remains closely linked to energy security. Russian crude has become an important source of India’s oil imports, making any potential restrictions or tariffs a significant consideration for policymakers.
The latest comments from Washington suggest that, despite the disagreement over Russian energy purchases, both sides are continuing diplomatic engagement on trade, energy and broader strategic issues.