India remains committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people, the S Jaishankar-led Ministry of External Affairs said (File photo)Following the US’s passage of the Russia Sanctions Bill, the Ministry of External Affairs in India has said that it remains committed to the nation’s energy security. “India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its people,” the MEA said in a statement.The US House on Wednesday passed the ‘Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’. It grants the US President unprecedented powers to levy 100% tariffs on nations buying oil from Moscow. This includes big-ticket Russian oil and gas buyers, such as India and China. The Bill will now be signed by US President Donald Trump.Key provisions of the Russia Sanctions BillAccording to Trump, the US intends to cut off all sources of funds for Russia and the sanctions Bill is aimed at the same. The Bill is the first major pro-Ukraine measure passed by the US Congress in over two years.The Bill aims to disrupt Moscow’s energy revenues.It also grants the US President discretionary power to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major foreign buyers of Russian crude and natural gas.It imposes targeted sanctions on vessels, logistical entities, and maritime operators used to transport discounted Russian oil below market caps.It also provides for penalising high-ranking Russian leadership, state officials, banking institutions, and energy sector enterprises.While not directly impacting the Middle East conflict, the Russia Sanctions Bill broadens existing enforcement mechanisms against Iran’s military and energy trade.How much energy does India import from Russia?China and India are the top two buyers of Russian crude oil and coal. India was the seventh-largest LNG importer for Russia till June 2026 end, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).The latest report by CREA reads: “India’s imports of Russian crude oil reached a record high, rising 34% month-on-month. India purchased EUR 4.5 bn of Russian crude in June.”The report states that between December 5, 2022, and June 2026, China purchased 37% of all Russian coal exports, while India accounted for 19% of Russia’s coal offloading.India’s share in Russian crude oil exports was higher at 36%, which ranked New Delhi as the second-largest importer of Russian crude. China held the top spot accounting for 50% of the recipient of Russia’s oil exports.Story continues below this adAccording to CREA, India was the second-largest purchaser of Russian fossil fuels in June 2026, importing a total of EUR 5.5 bn of Russian hydrocarbons. Crude oil comprised 83% of India’s purchases, with a spending of 4.5 billion Euros. Oil products worth 488 million Euros and coal worth 444 million Euros constituted the remainder of New Delhi’s monthly Russian imports.“India’s total crude import volumes recorded a 5.4% month-on-month increase in June 2026. India’s imports of Russian crude oil reached the highest level on record in June 2026, rising 34% month-on-month,” the report statedIndia’s full statementIn its statement, the MEA said: “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. This issue has been discussed at high levels in recent months with various US interlocutors. Its potential implications for not just the bilateral relationship but also the international energy market have been very clearly articulated by the Indian side. The Indian side has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests. Government will work closely with Indian trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications of these developments,” the ministry’s statement read.The MEA said monitoring further developments on this matter.