India defended its right to buy oil from diverse sources following the passage of a new sanctions bill by the US House of Representatives. The bill authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue purchasing Russian oil and gas, including India, and includes new sanctions related to Russia's war in Ukraine. The bill is set to be signed by President Donald Trump.
On September 17, India's Ministry of External Affairs stated that the country remains committed to securing energy supplies for its 1.4 billion people and will continue sourcing oil from various suppliers. The ministry emphasized that it had raised concerns about the potential implications of the legislation with US officials in recent months, highlighting its impact on both bilateral relations and the international energy market.
The statement from the ministry noted, "India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people. It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics." It also mentioned that India would take necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests while collaborating with trade and industry bodies regarding the legislation's implications.
As the world's third-largest oil importer, India has increasingly relied on Russia as a major supplier, maintaining that this relationship is crucial for its energy needs despite external pressures to reduce it. The sanctions package targets Russia's energy and defense sectors, as well as President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials, and includes measures against Moscow's shadow fleet, which consists of older tankers used to evade sanctions.
The legislation also allows Trump to impose secondary sanctions on countries dependent on Russian oil and gas, with China and India expected to be primary targets. Additionally, the bill extends sanctions on Iran.
In other developments, the Indian Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Prime Minister Modi's government to deny disability pensions granted to veterans. The Ministry of External Affairs has also refuted claims that several world leaders fell ill after attending the BRICS summit in India.