External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has confirmed that India has made clear its concerns to U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham over a bill that plans to levy a 500% duty on nations buying oil from Russia. The bill, if passed, would strongly affect India's energy security.
Addressing journalists in Washington D.C. on July 2, 2025, Dr. Jaishankar said, "I think our concerns and our interests in energy security have been made conversant to him," when asked about the significance of the bill.
Senator Graham's bill seeks to sanction countries that continue to import Russian crude oil if Moscow does not pursue peace talks regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The bill has raised alarm from various countries, with India being among them, which has diversified sources for its fuel consumption.
The Indian Embassy and diplomatic missions have maintained active communication with Senator Graham in respect of the issue, Dr. Jaishankar said. He further said India is keeping a close eye on the events at Capitol Hill. "We'll then have to cross that bridge when we come to it, if we come to it," he added, indicating that any such legislation impacting India's interest will be dealt with appropriately. He went on to say, "Anything that happens in the U.S. Congress is of interest to us if it impacts our interest or could impact our interest."
Meanwhile, Indian and U.S. officials are holding heated talks in Washington to seal a long-awaited interim trade agreement. While India is lobbying for wider access for its labor-intensive exports, the United States wants lowered tariffs for its farm products.
The Indian negotiating team is being headed by Rajesh Agrawal, Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce. These bilateral trade talks are perceived as an important step toward solidifying economic bilateral ties and are being conducted against the backdrop of increased global trade tensions and geopolitics uncertainties.
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