Archive · 24 Sep 2026
US and India Discuss Trump’s Russia Sanctions Bill and Tariffs
US and Indian officials met to talk about a new sanctions law.
The law is designed to put more economic pressure on Russia and Iran.
It could place tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries that buy Russian oil or gas under certain conditions.
India buys a large amount of Russian oil.
India says it needs affordable energy for its people and economy.
Indian analysts say the purchases help stabilize oil supplies and keep prices lower.
The United States has previously linked tariffs on Indian goods to India’s Russian oil purchases.
India is concerned that the new measures could hurt its relationship with the United States.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar discussed possible sanctions on countries trading economically with Russia and Iran.
Jaishankar reiterated India’s interests and concerns about the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.
The law requires tariffs of up to 100% within 30 days on US imports from the five largest buyers of Russian oil or gas, among other targets.
India sharply increased purchases of discounted Russian crude after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and remains one of its biggest buyers.
India says affordable Russian oil supports its large population and growing economy, while analysts say the purchases stabilize supplies and contain domestic prices.
- Who
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.
- What
- They discussed possible US sanctions against countries economically engaged with Russia and Iran, including India’s concerns about the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.
- When
- Wednesday, September 23; Donald Trump signed the bill the previous week.
- Where
- New York.
- Why
- The United States is seeking greater economic pressure on Russia and Iran, while India wants to protect its energy interests and bilateral relationship with Washington.
US Sanctions Pressure
Indian Energy and Trade Concerns
Purpose of the bill
US Sanctions Pressure
The United States is using tariffs and other sanctions to increase economic pressure on Russia and Iran and discourage economic engagement with them.
Indian Energy and Trade Concerns
India is concerned that the measures could damage bilateral ties and penalize its energy-trade decisions.
Russian oil purchases
US Sanctions Pressure
The law targets major buyers of Russian oil or gas and countries that make certain new purchases or help Russia evade sanctions.
Indian Energy and Trade Concerns
India says its Russian oil purchases provide affordable energy, stabilize supplies, and help keep domestic prices in check rather than financing the war in Ukraine.
Effect on trade relations
US Sanctions Pressure
US officials previously imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods partly because of India’s Russian oil purchases and linked their rollback to an expected reduction in those purchases.
Indian Energy and Trade Concerns
India only briefly reduced purchases in early 2026 before they increased again, and New Delhi has warned that additional tariffs could affect bilateral relations.
- Law
- Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
- Signer
- US President Donald Trump
- Potential tariffs
- Up to 100% on certain goods imported into the United States
- Covered countries
- The five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, countries making certain new purchases after enactment, and countries among the top five helping Russia evade sanctions
- India’s oil purchases
- India is among the biggest buyers of Russian oil and sharply increased purchases after Russia invaded Ukraine
- Previous tariffs
- Trump imposed tariffs of as much as 50% on Indian goods in August 2025 and rolled them back in February
- India’s stated rationale
- India says affordable energy supplies are necessary for its large population and growing economy
