US President Donald Trump is expected to make a decision within the next 10 days regarding sanctions provisions that could significantly affect nations buying Russian oil and gas, including India. This announcement came from US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, during his address at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum.
On September 18, 2026, President Trump signed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (SRIA) into law. This legislation grants authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from major energy importers of Russian crude or gas, as well as countries found to be facilitating sanctions evasion. The President is required to make a determination under this law within 30 days of its enactment.
India's Position Amidst Sanctions Framework
Ambassador Gor clarified that the new sanctions framework is not specifically aimed at any single country. Instead, it categorizes nations based on their involvement in three key areas: oil purchases, gas purchases, and sanctions evasion. Gor stated, "It just happens that India does fall in one of those brackets, along with a lot of other countries." He emphasized that the measures target actions, not specific nations.
When questioned about potential exemptions or relief for India, Gor indicated that the final decision rests with President Trump. He reiterated that the US and India are close to finalizing a comprehensive trade deal, noting substantial progress over the past year and a half despite complex negotiations. "The big picture, the big framework, the big items are done," Gor remarked, adding that remaining issues are largely smaller details and emerging concerns.
Trade Relations and Supreme Court Impact
Gor also mentioned that parts of the ongoing trade agreement between the two nations had to be revisited following a US Supreme Court ruling. The Court, in a 6-3 decision, found that Trump's previous global tariffs, imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), were unlawful, asserting they usurped Congress's exclusive power to tax.
Looking ahead, the US remains keen on expanding business cooperation with India across various sectors, including defense, information technology, data centers, and chip manufacturing. Gor highlighted that increased investment by American companies in India could also contribute to job creation within the United States.