India Vows to Protect Energy Security Amid US Tariff Threat on Russian Oil

US vs India – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – India has sent a clear warning to Washington. The new US tariff on India Russian oil purchases could hurt the friendship between both nations, the Indian foreign ministry said this week.

This statement came just hours after the US made a fresh move to punish countries buying oil from Russia. The US House of Representatives passed a big sanctions bill on Thursday. This bill targets Russia’s income from its war in Ukraine.

The bill now waits for President Trump’s signature. Once signed, it will allow tariffs as high as 100% on countries like India and China. The goal is to cut their reliance on Russian energy.

India’s foreign ministry responded quickly. Officials said they had already discussed this issue with US representatives for months. They made it very clear how serious the impact could be, not just for India, but for global energy markets too.

New Delhi remains firm on one point. The country will keep buying oil from different sellers based on market needs, not political pressure. Energy security for its people stays the top priority.

The ministry also said India will protect its trade interests. The government plans to work closely with industry groups to handle any fallout from this new law.

India is the third-largest oil importer in the world. It has been one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil since the war started in 2022. This trade has helped Russia earn money despite heavy Western sanctions.

Despite repeated pressure, India has stood firm. The country says its huge population and growing economy need steady, affordable fuel supplies.

Indian refiners have already planned oil purchases for September and October. These include shipments from Russia, according to people familiar with the matter.

Industry sources shared their concerns too. They want the government to talk directly with US authorities. If new tariffs are applied, oil prices could rise sharply, hurting both refiners and consumers.

The ongoing war in the Middle East has already reduced oil supplies worldwide. Cutting Russian oil now could deeply affect refiner profits, since many are already selling fuel below market rates.

Refiners are asking for a middle path. Instead of a full 100% tariff, they want a fixed quota that allows India to keep some Russian oil trade while slowly adjusting.

This tariff threat could also affect the India-US trade deal. Experts believe Washington might use this pressure to push India into unfavorable trade terms.

Trade expert Ajay Srivastava shared his views. He believes the US could use the tariff issue as leverage during ongoing negotiations.

Despite months of talks, India and the US have not yet reached a final trade agreement. India continues to hold out for better terms.

Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to the US soon. He is expected to meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss the next steps in the trade deal.

As tensions rise, all eyes are now on how both nations handle this delicate balance between trade, energy needs, and diplomacy.