India closely monitoring US bill targeting buyers of Russian oil, says MEA

India on Friday said its energy procurement policy would continue to be guided by national priorities and the country's energy security needs, responding to questions over a proposed US sanctions bill that seeks to penalise major importers of Russian oil.

Addressing the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi was closely tracking the progress of the legislation in the United States while reiterating its long-held position on securing affordable and reliable energy supplies.

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"Let me say that we are aware of this development and we are closely monitoring the situation. As you know very well, our position on energy security has been clarified and very well articulated on several occasions," Jaiswal said.

He said India's approach to energy imports was shaped by domestic requirements and focused on ensuring uninterrupted supplies through a diversified sourcing strategy.

"It is something which is predicated on our national priorities and on securing the energy needs of our 1.4 billion people, our citizens, through diversified sources, which includes the United States," the MEA spokesperson said.

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Jaiswal added that India remained in touch with US authorities on the issue even as it continued to diversify its energy imports.

"We remain engaged with relevant stakeholders in the United States at various levels on this particular matter," he added.

US Senate clears Russia sanctions bill

The remarks come after the US Senate earlier this week passed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 by an 86-12 vote.

The proposed legislation, which received broad bipartisan backing, seeks to increase economic pressure on Russia while reaffirming US support for Ukraine. It is named in honour of Senator Lindsey O. Graham, who died earlier this month.

The draft legislation authorises the US president to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the world's five largest importers of Russian energy, as well as on countries accused of helping Moscow evade sanctions.

The proposal is expected to have implications for countries including India and China. It also contains a provision to impose a 500 per cent tariff on Russian imports entering the United States.

(With inputs from agencies)