New Delhi – A fresh wave of diplomatic friction is surfacing as Washington eyes harsher sanctions on countries that continue to import Russian crude. Lawmakers in the United States are drafting legislation that could slap tariffs as high as 100 % on goods arriving from any nation deemed to be supporting Moscow’s energy sector, with India explicitly named in the proposal.
The initiative is a direct response to Russia’s oil exports, which Washington believes fuel the Kremlin’s war chest. By tightening economic levers, U.S. officials hope to curtail the revenue stream flowing to Moscow. The bill would grant the President discretionary power to levy steep duties on imports from the targeted states.
For India, the stakes are particularly high. The country still relies heavily on Russian crude to satisfy its growing energy appetite. Recent talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin underscored a mutual desire to deepen strategic and commercial ties, even as Washington ramps up pressure.
If the maximum 100 % tariff were enacted, the repercussions would ripple far beyond the oil market. Indian exporters could face dramatically higher costs when shipping products to the United States, potentially eroding their competitive edge and straining bilateral trade relations.
At present, the measure remains under congressional review. Its ultimate shape—and whether it will become law—depends on further debate and votes in the U.S. Capitol. Meanwhile, New Delhi must juggle its energy security needs against an increasingly hostile trade environment imposed by its Western ally.
