India says committed to energy security after US sanctions bill passage

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NEW DELHI: India said on Tuesday it has noted the passage of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the U.S. Congress and is monitoring developments, reiterating its commitment to energy security for its 1.4 billion people.

“As stated on several earlier occasions, India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people. It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

The ministry said the issue had been discussed at high levels in recent months with U.S. interlocutors, and that India had clearly articulated its potential implications for the bilateral relationship and the international energy market.

“The Indian side has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests,” the statement said, adding that the government would work closely with trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications.

The bill, which seeks to impose sanctions on countries engaging in significant transactions with Russia and Iran, comes as India continues to import discounted Russian crude, a key factor in its energy mix since 2022.