India asserts independent foreign policy amid new US sanctions

India has reaffirmed its commitment to an independent foreign policy following the signing of the ‘Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ by US President Donald Trump. The new US legislation expands statutory sanctions and allows for tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods from countries that meet specific criteria related to the purchase of Russian crude oil or natural gas and sanctions evasion.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that India will not operate under external pressure and will make decisions based on the interests of its 1.4 billion people. Addressing energy needs, Singh noted that India will continue to source energy from wherever it is commercially viable and economical. The Indian government characterized the unilateral tariffs being imposed as ‘unfair’ and emphasized that national strength and stability remain the government's top priorities.