The United States has sought to play down concerns over India’s warning that a proposed Russia sanctions law could hurt bilateral ties, saying there are “no hard feelings” over New Delhi’s response to the legislation.
The comments came after the US House of Representatives passed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which could impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the five largest purchasers of Russian energy. India, one of the major buyers of Russian crude oil, could potentially be affected if the legislation becomes law in its current form.
A senior US State Department official said Washington understood why the Indian government had responded strongly to the bill. The official noted that the US Congress had taken a particularly tough public position, including criticism specifically directed at India.
“Of course, the Indian government has to respond,” the official said, adding that both countries have their own domestic political constituencies. According to the official, Washington does not view India’s response as something that should create lasting friction between the two countries.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs had earlier expressed concern over the possible consequences of the legislation. In a statement following the passage of the bill, the MEA said the issue had been discussed at senior levels between India and the US in recent months.
New Delhi also pointed out that the legislation could have implications not only for the India-US relationship but also for international energy markets. India has repeatedly maintained that its purchases of Russian oil are driven by energy security and market considerations.
The US official, however, highlighted an important provision in the legislation — a broad national security waiver that would give President Donald Trump significant flexibility in implementing the sanctions. The official did not say whether India would receive such a waiver, but indicated that there could be circumstances in which the US president could use the authority.
The sanctions issue was also discussed during a meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to the US State Department’s account of the meeting, Rubio said Washington could be in a position to help countries address their energy security requirements.
The senior US official said India had been seeking to diversify its energy sources for some time. The official referred to the disruption of supplies from countries such as Venezuela and Iran and said Washington believed India could gain access to alternative sources of energy.
The official also pointed to the broader strategic relationship between India and the US, including cooperation through the Quad. The grouping has continued to meet during 2026, reflecting ongoing engagement among its members.
Meanwhile, Rubio is expected to visit India in October, marking his second visit to the country this year. The upcoming visit is likely to provide another opportunity for the two sides to discuss trade, energy security, sanctions and the wider strategic partnership.
For now, Washington’s public messaging suggests that the disagreement over the Russia sanctions legislation has not altered its broader approach towards India, although the potential impact of the bill remains an important issue for the bilateral relationship.
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