Spasht.
India-US relations

India warns US that Russia sanctions bill could hurt ties and energy markets

17 Sept 2026 · 5 outlets · 1 min read

AI illustration
In 30 seconds
  1. The Graham Act lets the US add tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas.
  2. The MEA said India will keep ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing.
  3. Reuters called India's response unusually strong; Trump signed the bill into law on 18 September 2026.

On 17 September 2026 the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it had noted the US Congress passing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which lets the US President impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas, including India. The MEA said it had 'very clearly articulated' the possible effects on ties and global energy markets, and would take 'all necessary measures' to protect India's trade. President Trump signed the bill into law on 18 September.

What it means for India

India is among the biggest buyers of Russian crude. A 100% tariff would sharply raise the price of Indian goods sold in the US. Reuters noted any rise in fuel pump prices would be politically risky ahead of state elections due early next year.

Checked

Claim by claim

✓Verified

India 'remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people' and will continue diversified sourcing.

Said by Ministry of External Affairs

The MEA statement is quoted by DD News and ThePrint.

DD News · ThePrint
✓Verified

The Act authorises tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas, including India.

Reuters and The Hindu describe the bill's tariff provision; the White House order later set out the 100% duty on the five largest importers.

Reuters · The Hindu
✓Verified

Trump signed the Graham Act into law on 18 September 2026.

The White House order implementing the Act states the signing date.

The White House
In their own words

What each side says

Ministry of External Affairs

The MEA said the bill's implications for ties and the global energy market had been raised at high levels with US officials, and that India would protect its trade interests and work with industry bodies on the fallout.

DD News · ThePrint
Opposition parties

Reuters reported that the opposition was urging PM Modi to take a tougher stance on the bill.

Reuters
As it unfolded

Step by step

  1. MEA says it has noted the bill's passage in the US Congress and is monitoring developments.

  2. President Trump signs the Graham Act into law.

Honest gaps

Not yet known

  • ?How the US decides which countries count among the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas.
Who reported this

Sources

Left-leaning · 1Centre · 3International · 1

5 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.

  1. DD NewsIndia says monitoring US Congress passage of sanctioning Russia and Iran Act
  2. ThePrintIndia 'firmly committed' to ensuring energy security: MEA reacts to US' Russia Sanctions Bill
  3. ReutersNew US sanctions bill on Russia puts India's Modi in a bind
  4. The White HouseImplementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
  5. The HinduMEA 'monitoring developments' of Russia sanctions bill in U.S. Congress

Spasht writes original summaries. Follow the links to read each outlet's own report. Revision 1.