**India Engages US Lawmakers Over Sanctions Threatening Energy Security**
India has taken proactive steps to address its energy security concerns by directly appealing to US lawmakers regarding new sanctions that could significantly impact its crude oil imports from Russia. The discussions were led by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who met with a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, in New Delhi on Sunday.
The sanctions in question stem from the recently enacted Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (SRIA), which has been described by its original sponsor, the late Senator Lindsey Graham, as the “sanctions bill from hell.” This legislation grants the US government the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries that continue to purchase Russian energy, a move that could have severe implications for nations like India that rely heavily on Russian crude oil.
During the meeting, energy security was a focal point of the discussions. Misri emphasized India's reliance on Russian oil, which accounted for a significant portion of its crude imports. In August, India imported approximately 2.1 million barrels per day (bpd) from Russia, with preliminary data indicating a slight decline to around 1.9 million bpd in September. Given that India imports over 88% of its crude oil needs, the potential for hefty tariffs poses a serious threat to its energy stability.
Prior to this meeting, India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar had raised similar concerns during a discussion with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York. Jaishankar articulated India's economic and strategic apprehensions regarding the sanctions, while Rubio acknowledged that the US is well-positioned to assist regional partners in addressing their energy security challenges.
In response to the passage of the SRIA, India has reiterated its commitment to ensuring energy security through diversified sourcing. The Indian government has warned that the sanctions could have broader implications for bilateral relations with the US and could disrupt international energy markets. Despite the looming threat of sanctions, India has maintained that its energy procurement strategies will be guided by national requirements, market conditions, and the availability of supplies, rather than reliance on any single source.
The US has been working to position itself as a more significant energy supplier to India. Between January and August of this year, US crude oil supplies to India averaged about 177,000 bpd, making the US the sixth-largest supplier of crude oil to the country during this period. Additionally, the US has emerged as India's largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG), with imports rising by 172% year-on-year from April to July, totaling 2.39 million tons.
As India navigates the challenges posed by the new sanctions, it remains focused on securing affordable and reliable energy for its 1.4 billion citizens. The outcome of these discussions with US lawmakers will be closely watched, as both countries seek to balance their energy needs with the geopolitical implications of their respective policies.