Amid US tariff threat on Russia, India says it will continue importing energy from commercially viable sources
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh emphasised that India's decisions are driven by the interests of its 140 crore citizens, prioritising their convenience, strength, and stability
India asserts its independent foreign policy, vowing to continue importing energy from commercially viable sources irrespective of US tariffs and global sanctions, with a primary focus on the convenience, strength, and stability of its citizens.
India asserts its independent foreign policy, vowing to continue importing energy from commercially viable sources irrespective of US tariffs and global sanctions, with a primary focus on the convenience, strength, and stability of its citizens.
India asserts its independent foreign policy, vowing to continue importing energy from commercially viable sources irrespective of US tariffs and global sanctions, with a primary focus on the convenience, strength, and stability of its citizens.
After the US imposed 100 per cent tariff on five largest importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, India said it will continue importing energy from wherever its is commercially viable.
Responding to a new US law that could see fresh tariffs on India, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Saturday said India's foreign policy is independent and not based on what other countries do.
Pointing out that India takes decisions based on interests of its people, the minister told ANI that the government will take steps necessary to ensure the strength and stability of the country.
"The priority of the country of India and our government is our people, our people of 140 crores. We will take every step which is necessary for the convenience of our people. We will take every strong step for the strength and stability of our country, our population of 140 crores. We have our own independent foreign policy. We will not follow any country based on what our country is doing. We will do whatever is good for our country," Singh said.
This comes after US President Donald Trump signed the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" into law. The new legislation "authorises and expands statutory sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions on Russia and extends existing sanctions on Iran," the White House said. However, the law does not automatically affect India unless the US president decides to impose tariffs on the country.
"We always say that these tariffs are very unfair. And we are not under the pressure of any country. Energy is a very primary concern of ours. And wherever we find commercially viable, economical energy sources for our country and our people, we will take energy from there," the minister told the news agency.
The White House said the law seeks to target The legislation targets Russia's "shadow fleet" and other foreign persons involved in supporting Russian energy production or sanctions evasion, including vessel owners, operators, managers, insurers, and other parties engaged in covered activities.