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Jaishankar raises India's concerns over US Russia sanctions law in first meeting with Rubio since it was signed
4 updates, 17 September 2026 to 24 September 2026.
- 17 September 2026:
US House passes Russia sanctions bill that could impose 100 percent tariffs on India
The US House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by a vote of 262 to 159 on 16 September 2026, sending the Bill to President Donald Trump for his signature. The legislation authorises the President to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, a group that includes India and China, with the stated aim of cutting off revenue that funds Russia's war in Ukraine. The Senate had passed the same Bill by an 86 to 11 vote in August 2026. The Act is named for Senator Lindsey Graham, its lead sponsor, who died in July 2026.
- 20 September 2026:
Trump signs Russia sanctions law, clearing the way for up to 100 percent tariffs on India
US President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law on 18 September 2026, two days after the House of Representatives passed it by a vote of 262 to 159. The law authorises and expands sanctions, tariffs and prohibitions on Russia and extends existing sanctions on Iran, giving Trump discretion to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas, naming India and China among the major buyers who could be targeted. The law does not automatically impose the duty, leaving the tariff rate, the list of countries and any waivers to the President's own decision. India's Ministry of External Affairs said the country remains determined to protect its trade and economic interests and to secure energy for its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing based on evolving market dynamics.
- 22 September 2026:
Indian refiners weigh cutting Russian crude cargoes for November after new US sanctions law
Indian oil refiners are reassessing purchases of Russian crude for November delivery after a sweeping new US sanctions law targeting buyers of Russian oil took effect on 18 September 2026, reports said on 21 September 2026. India, the world's third biggest crude buyer, sourced more than half its imports from Russia in some recent months to counter high global prices, but top processors have begun seeking alternative cargoes over the past few days as the new law empowers the US president to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries that continue buying Russian oil. Talks for November delivery cargoes typically begin in the last week of September, putting the next buying cycle squarely inside the period of uncertainty.
- 24 September 2026:
Jaishankar raises India's concerns over US Russia sanctions law in first meeting with Rubio since it was signed
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on 23 September 2026, on the margins of the UN General Assembly, in the first bilateral discussion between the two sides since President Donald Trump signed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act into law. Jaishankar said he had reiterated India's interests and concerns regarding the Act, which empowers the United States to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas, and the two also discussed the situations in Ukraine and the Gulf. India has said it remains firmly committed to energy security for its 1.4 billion people even as it and Washington continue working to finalise a long pending bilateral trade deal, with Rubio expected to travel to India next month.