Trump imposes ‘unfair’ tariffs: India to buy energy from commercially viable sources, says MoS amid Russia-Iran sanctions bill | Today’s news
After Donald Trump signed the “Lindsey O. Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act of 2026”, Union External Affairs Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh on Saturday said that India considers the imposition of tariffs “unfair” and said that Delhi takes its decisions independently, without pressure from any other country.
Singh maintained that energy security remains a key priority for India and that the country will source energy from places that offer commercially viable and economic options to its people.
The legislation, signed by Trump on September 18, gives the US president the power to impose up to 100% tariffs on countries such as India and China that continue to buy Russian oil and gas.
“We always say that these tariffs that are being imposed are very unfair. And we are not under pressure from any country. Energy is a very prime concern for us. And wherever we find commercially viable, economic sources of energy for our country and our people, we will take energy from there,” Singh told ANI.
He said that the welfare of India’s 140 million people is the prime concern of the government and that it will take all necessary measures to protect their interests while maintaining the country’s strength and stability.
“The priority of the country of India and our government is our people, our 140 crore people. We will take every step necessary for the comfort of our people. We will take every decisive step for the strength and stability of our country, our 140 crore population. We have our own independent foreign policy. We will not follow any country based on what our country does. We will do whatever is good for our country,” Singh said.
New sanctions target Russia and Iran
The new US law expands measures against Russian officials, financial institutions, defense-linked networks and the country’s so-called “shadow fleet”, with ships accused of transporting energy and circumventing Western restrictions. It also extends the Iran Sanctions Act for another five years.
The legislation passed the U.S. Senate in August by an 86-11 vote before passing the House 262-159 earlier this week. It was named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who was a prominent supporter of the measure.
“On Friday, September 18, 2026, the President signed into law: HR 5334, the ‘Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,’ which authorizes and expands statutory sanctions, tariffs, and embargoes against Russia and expands existing sanctions against Iran,” the White House said.
Customs powers target Russian energy consumers
One of the key provisions gives the US president the power to impose targeted tariffs of up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas, along with countries accused of helping Moscow evade oil-related sanctions.
The provision could have implications for India and China, both major buyers of Russian oil. It establishes a legal mechanism to impose tariffs on imports from countries that continue certain purchases of Russian energy.
The president can also waive the action under certain circumstances, including confirmation by Congress that granting the waiver is in the national interest.
