In a major policy reversal, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, waiving proposed sanctions, restrictions, and steep duties of up to 100% on major importers of Russian oil and gas, including India.
The waiver comes as a significant relief for India, which relies heavily on Russian crude to secure its domestic energy needs—especially amid ongoing supply disruptions in the Middle East. By exercising his presidential waiver authority in the “US national interest,”.
Trump said the waiver was in the national interest of the United States. The decision comes as rising fuel prices put pressure on American consumers ahead of the November midterm elections.
What It Means for India
Russia remains a major supplier of crude oil to India. Continued access to Russian oil helps New Delhi manage energy costs, especially as disruptions in the Middle East threaten supplies and shipping routes.
Had Washington imposed the proposed tariffs, Indian exporters could also have faced serious difficulties because the United States is one of India’s largest trading partners.
The waiver therefore offers relief on two fronts: energy security and trade. However, it is not permanent. Trump can reverse the decision, and the law’s tariff powers remain available.
A Lesson in American Reliability
This sudden waiver exposes the unpredictability of Washington’s foreign policy. The US aggressively pressures sovereign nations like Bharat over their purchases of discounted Russian oil, threatening punitive tariffs and economic consequences. Yet, when rising fuel prices begin hurting American consumers and threaten the administration’s political prospects ahead of elections, Washington is willing to suspend the very measures it once defended.
The episode reveals a fundamental contradiction in American policy. What Washington presents as a matter of international pressure and geopolitical principle can quickly become negotiable when its own economic interests are at stake.
For Bharat, the lesson is clear: national interests cannot be held hostage to Washington’s changing priorities. The United States may remain an important strategic and economic partner, but its assurances cannot be treated as permanent guarantees.