India’s foreign secretary raises US sanctions concerns in Washington talks

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri travelled to Washington this week to discuss a draft Russian‑sanctions legislation that the United States is preparing, according to The Hindu. In a closed‑door session with a senior U.S. delegation, Misri highlighted how the bill could extend secondary sanctions to countries, including India, that continue to import Russian crude oil.

The American team, composed mainly of senior officials from the State Department and the Treasury, reportedly voted in favour of a provision that would allow sanctions to be applied against Indian entities involved in the oil trade. The Hindu noted that most members of the delegation supported the measure, signalling a hardening stance in Washington toward nations perceived to be aiding Russia’s war effort.

India imports roughly 5 million barrels of Russian oil each day, a figure that surged after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 when Western buyers cut back. The Kremlin’s discounted prices have helped keep Indian fuel costs lower than they might otherwise be, but the arrangement has also drawn criticism from the United States and its allies, who argue that any revenue to Russia prolongs the conflict.

The proposed law would give the U.S. Treasury authority to blacklist foreign firms that purchase Russian energy, potentially freezing their assets and restricting access to the American financial system. For Indian refiners, such a move could raise the cost of crude, disrupt supply chains, and force a rapid shift to alternative sources, a scenario Misri warned could destabilise the country’s energy security.

Historically, India has walked a diplomatic tightrope, maintaining a strategic partnership with Moscow while also deepening ties with the West. Since 2022, New Delhi has faced periodic pressure to curb Russian oil purchases, but it has argued that energy needs and domestic affordability outweigh geopolitical considerations. The current discussion reflects a broader trend of secondary sanctions being used as a tool to compel third‑party nations to align with U.S. foreign‑policy goals.

Analysts say the outcome of Misri’s talks will likely influence how India navigates its energy imports in the coming months. If Washington proceeds with the legislation, New Delhi may be forced to seek higher‑priced alternatives or negotiate exemptions, both of which could have ripple effects on global oil markets and bilateral trade relations.