- By Ajeet Kumar
- Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:16 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- India committed to energy for 1.4 billion people.
- Firm response to US Congress Russia sanctions bill.
- Prioritizes national energy security over external pressures.
New Delhi: India has asserted its commitment to ensuring energy supply for its 1.4 billion citizens, responding firmly to the US Congress passing a bill sanctioning Russia. The strong message came from the Ministry of External Affars came hours after the US House of Representatives passed a bill that would authorise President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Russia and steep tariffs on its trading partners in oil and gas, including India and China.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, passed by the US Senate last month, was approved by the House in a 262-159 vote on Wednesday evening and will now go to Trump to be signed into law.
Has already stated India's commitments to its people: MEA
The Indian side asserted that New Delhi has already stated its stance on the issue multiple times with the American counterparts and added that it will continue to purchase energy from diverse sources on the basis of market dynamics. This stance highlights India's independent foreign policy and its focus on national energy security despite international pressures.
Our statement on passage of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the US Congress
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 17, 2026
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“As stated on several earlier occasions, India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people. It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and based on evolving market dynamics,” read the firm statement released by the MEA.
“This issue has been discussed at high levels in recent months with various US interlocutors. Its potential implications for not just the bilateral relationship but also the international energy market have been very clearly articulated by the Indian side,” it added.
"Will take all necessary measures to protect trade and economic interests"
The Indian side has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests. The government will work closely with Indian trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications of these developments, noted the Indian side.
Why does US Congress passed law penalising India and China?
The bill seeks to impose sanctions not only on Russia's leadership and energy sector, but also on the "shadow fleet" of vessels that enable Moscow to evade sanctions on oil deliveries. It also seeks to authorise Trump to impose stiff tariffs on China, India and other countries to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas, as well as additional sanctions on Iran.
"China and India, you better buy your oil and gas somewhere else," Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, told reporters after the passage of the Bill. "Russia is getting that oil and gas sold by using the shadow fleet, which means that it's being bought at less than market rates, and it's going mostly to countries like China and India," Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said.
"China is the top user of Russian oil and gas, and we need to send a very strong message, not just to Putin, but to China, and to anybody who is buying Russian oil and gas, that they are going to pay a price for that," Shaheen said.
Passage of the bill in the House came on the final day that the House is expected to be in session for votes before the Nov. 3 elections. The vote on the bill is taking place at a time when pro-Ukraine groups have stepped up efforts to lobby support for their cause. The Ukraine Action Summit, organised by the American Coalition for Ukraine, is underway here to lobby with US lawmakers for continued support of Kyiv.
(With inputs from agency)
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