MEA: India to protect trade interests after US sanctions law

The Ministry of External Affairs said India has made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests.

The statement came after the US signed a law on Russia sanctions.

The government will work with Indian trade and industry bodies on the implications.

The law allows tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas.

It was signed on September 18.

India is among the countries that could fall within the law’s scope because of its substantial purchases of Russian energy.

India imported about 2.08 million barrels per day of Russian crude in August 2026, around 45 percent of its total imports.

In July 2026, Russian crude accounted for about 2.82 million barrels per day, or 56 percent of India’s imports.

India is the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil.

The Ministry of External Affairs said it had taken note of the passage of the bill and was monitoring developments.

It said India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing and evolving market dynamics.

The ministry said India has made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests.

It added that the government will work closely with Indian trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications.

China has also opposed the law, calling it unilateral sanctions with no basis in international law.

Brent crude has been trading above 100 dollars a barrel in recent weeks, and markets remain sensitive to sanctions-related news.

President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law on Friday, September 18, 2026.

The law authorises tariffs of up to 100 percent on imports from the five largest purchasers of Russian crude oil and gas.

Essar Oil refinery, India (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0