"India has made it clear to US its determination to take all measures to protect trade and economic interests," - MEA

On US sanctioning Russia and Iran by a new Act, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: 

"...We have already conveyed at senior levels of the U S administration that the implications that this legislation could have on India's energy security, for international energy markets, and for the overall relationship". 

Jaiswal was also asked about India’s response to the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, particularly its assessment that the legislation could have implications for bilateral ties, energy security and ongoing trade negotiations with the US.

US President Donald Trump signed a bill Friday authorizing new sanctions designed to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine, shortly after it received congressional approval this week.

The legislation takes aim at Russia's energy and defense sectors, alongside President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials.

It also targets Moscow's so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to evade Western sanctions, and allows Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. This could potentially cover China and India, and furthers efforts to cut off revenue financing Moscow's war.

India on Friday reiterated that its energy sourcing decisions are guided by national interest, with the Ministry of External Affairs saying that meeting the energy requirements of the country’s 1.4 billion people remains an “imperative”.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during the weekly press briefing in New Delhi while responding to questions about India’s continued purchase of Russian oil despite pressure from the United States.

“When it comes to energy sourcing, it is based on our national interest. We have said that meeting the energy requirements of our 1.4 billion people is an imperative that we have to follow. And we continue to buy energy from diversified sources,” Jaiswal said.   

He said India had already conveyed its concerns to senior levels of the US administration and had nothing further to add at this stage.

“To your question, we have already issued a statement. You would have seen that we have clarified our position very well. As we have stated, at senior levels of the US administration, we have conveyed the implications that this legislation could have on India's energy security, for international energy markets, and for the overall bilateral relationship. I don't have anything further to add at this point,” he said.

Asked whether the proposed US sanctions and tariffs could alter the bilateral trade agreement framework announced by India and the US in February, Jaiswal said New Delhi remained determined to protect its trade and economic interests.

“On that, I will say that we have made clear our determination to take all necessary measures to protect our trade and economic interests, as you would have seen in the statement that we issued,” he said.

Jaiswal added that the government would work closely with Indian trade and industry bodies to address the implications arising from developments related to the legislation.

“The government will work closely with Indian trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications of developments related to the legislation. Our interest in a balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States needs no repetition,” he said.  

His remarks come as US President Donald Trump is expected to sign legislation targeting Russia and Iran.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was passed by the US House of Representatives by a vote of 262-159, after having cleared the Senate last month. The legislation now awaits Trump's signature.

The bill gives the US president discretion to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas, including India and China. The levies, however, would not be imposed automatically under the legislation.  

India has rejected Pakistan’s allegations over the collision between Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata and Pakistani naval vessel PNS Hunain in the western Arabian Sea, calling Islamabad’s response “the usual prevarication”.

The External Affairs Ministry said INS Kolkata was on a routine deployment when PNS Hunain carried out a “dangerous overtaking manoeuvre” that resulted in the collision.

India had on Wednesday summoned the Pakistani Charge d’Affaires (CDA) and lodged a strong protest over the “unacceptable conduct” of the Pakistan Navy vessel. 

The incident occurred on Tuesday night after the Pakistani vessel closed in on INS Kolkata, which was on a routine surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea, according to the Indian side.

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