India said it is closely monitoring developments around a proposed US sanctions bill that could impose steep tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, including India, as Washington sharpens its pressure campaign against Moscow amid the ongoing Ukraine war.

Reacting to the proposed legislation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said New Delhi is aware of the bill and is tracking the situation carefully. The ministry reiterated that India’s energy procurement decisions are guided by global market dynamics and the need to ensure affordable supplies for its population. “We are aware of the proposed bill. We are closely following the developments,” the MEA said in a brief response.

The MEA underlined that India’s position on energy sourcing remains consistent and well established. Officials stressed that the country prioritises affordable and reliable energy from diversified sources to meet the needs of its 1.4 billion people. “Our position on the larger question of energy sourcing is well known. In this endeavour, we are guided by the evolving dynamics of the global market and by the imperative to secure affordable energy,” the ministry said.

US Sanctions Bill and Trump’s Backing

The statement comes after US President Donald Trump “greenlit” a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could penalise Moscow’s trading partners. The legislation, sponsored by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, authorises the US President to impose tariffs of up to 500 per cent on countries that knowingly purchase Russian oil or uranium.

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India has emerged as one of the largest buyers of discounted Russian crude since the start of the Ukraine conflict, drawing criticism from Western nations that argue such purchases help finance Moscow’s war effort. Senator Graham said Trump conveyed his support for the bill during a meeting at the White House, adding that a Senate vote could take place as early as next week, though the timeline remains uncertain.

The bill has received broad bipartisan backing, with dozens of co-sponsors in the Senate and a companion version introduced in the House of Representatives.

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The developments come amid renewed diplomatic efforts by Washington to broker a peace deal in Ukraine, even as economic pressure on Russia and its trading partners continues to intensify.