Thu Jul 17 17:57:24 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The U.S. is considering sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil, potentially impacting India. India has cautioned against double standards, noting that EU members continue to buy Russian energy. The U.S. President appears to be backing the Russian Sanctions Act which would impose 500% duties on India and other countries buying Russian oil. India, while diversifying its energy sources, has not resumed oil imports from Iran. The proposed sanctions complicate U.S.-India trade relations, even as they work on a trade deal. Separately, the U.S. has increased deportations of Indian nationals.

**News Article:**

**India Warns U.S. Against “Double Standards” as Sanctions Threaten Russian Oil Imports**

*New Delhi – July 18, 2025* – India has issued a strong caution against “double standards” as the U.S. considers imposing steep tariffs on countries, including India, that continue to import Russian oil. The move, fueled by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, could significantly impact India’s energy security and complicate already delicate trade negotiations between New Delhi and Washington.

The proposed Russian Sanctions Act, gaining traction in the U.S. Congress, would slap a 500% duty on countries purchasing oil, uranium, natural gas, petroleum products, or petrochemical products originating from Russia. U.S. President Donald Trump appears to be backing the act which would also empower him to impose secondary tariffs of 100% on countries that continue trade on sanctioned Russian products.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stressed that securing India’s energy needs is a top priority, and the country is guided by market availability and global circumstances. He pointedly remarked on the “double standards” being applied, highlighting that European Union members continue to import Russian energy despite sanctions.

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri stated that India would “deal” with sanctions, when they are passed, and has diversified its energy sources, now importing oil from 40 countries, up from 27 previously. However, India has not resumed oil imports from Iran, a decision taken under pressure during Trump’s first administration.

The potential sanctions add another layer of complexity to U.S.-India relations, which are currently focused on finalizing a “mini” trade deal amidst intense negotiations over tariffs and market access. Meanwhile, the U.S. has significantly increased deportations of Indian nationals illegally residing in the country, with 1,563 deported in the first six months of Trump’s second term.

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