The Minitry of External Affairs said India remained committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people and would continue to diversify its sources of supply based on changing market conditions.
The response comes after the US House of Representatives passed legislation authorising President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries, including India and China, that buy Russian oil and gas. The legislation now awaits Trump’s signature.
Also Read: 100% tariffs on India? US House passes bill authorising new duties on Russia oil buyers
“India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people. It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics,” the government said.
The government said the issue had been discussed at high levels with US interlocutors in recent months. It added that India had clearly conveyed the potential impact of the legislation on both bilateral ties and the international energy market.
“India has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests,” it said.
Russian oil at the centre of the issue
India’s dependence on Russian crude has risen sharply since 2022, making its oil purchases a key point in the US sanctions debate.
India bought $40.8 billion worth of Russian crude in FY2026, accounting for 30.3% of its total crude imports of $134.7 billion, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative. Russia’s share had risen further to 51% of India’s imported crude by July 2026.
Russian crude became a significant part of India’s import basket after refiners stepped up purchases of discounted barrels following the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The cheaper supplies have helped India lower its oil import bill and support energy security.
Also Read: Russian oil uncertainty hangs over India’s largest buyers
The exposure has also increased even as India has added more suppliers. ET reported earlier this month that India had expanded its crude sourcing to 31 countries during the six-month Iran war, but Russia’s share had climbed to 47%.
What the US legislation means for India
The legislation gives the US president the authority to impose additional tariffs of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian energy. The passage of the bill does not itself mean that a 100% tariff has been imposed on India.
The measure has been closely watched in New Delhi because of its potential impact on India’s exports to the US and on the cost and availability of crude.
India had previously said its energy procurement decisions would be guided by national priorities and energy security needs while it continued discussions with Washington.
In July, ET reported that any major disruption to Russian crude flows could add volatility to global oil markets, with analysts cautioning that replacing Russian supplies quickly could be difficult because of limited spare production capacity.
The government said it would work with Indian trade and industry bodies to address the implications of the latest developments.