The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday responded to a proposed bill in the United States that seeks to increase the tariffs imposed on countries continuing to purchase Russian oil, by up to 500 per cent.
Addressing a weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s approach towards energy resources is guided by the energy security needs of its people.
“You are aware of our approach towards energy sources. Our approach depends on the situation in the global markets and our imperative on making energy available to our people through diverse sources to meet their energy security needs,” the spokesperson said, noting that the government was seized of the matter and continues to follow the developments closely.
The remarks came after US Senator Lindsey Graham revealed that US President Donald Trump has okayed the bipartisan Russia Sanctions Bill, which aims at punishing countries “fuelling (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s war machine”.
US Commerce Secy Lutnick claims trade deal with India didn’t happen as ‘PM Modi did not call Trump’
Meanwhile, commenting on US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s remarks that the India-US trade deal did not materialise as Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not call President Trump, Jaiswal said the characterisation of ongoing discussions on the trade agreement is inaccurate.
The spokesperson said India and the US have been discussing the bilateral trade agreement since February 13, 2025. Multiple rounds of negotiations have taken place since then to arrive at a balanced, mutually beneficial trade agreement, and the two sides have been close to a deal on several occasions, he noted.
#WATCH | Delhi | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “We have seen the remarks. India and the United States were committed to negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the US as far back as 13th of February last year. That is, since then, the two sides have held multiple… pic.twitter.com/sEJBQB0Zpu
— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2026
“We remain interested in a mutually beneficial trade deal between two complementary economies, and look forward to concluding it. Incidentally, Prime Minister and President Trump have also spoken on the phone on eight occasions in 2025, covering various aspects of our wide-ranging work. Incidentally, Prime Minister and President Trump have also spoken on the phone on eight occasions during 2025, covering different aspects of our wide-ranging partnership,” the MEA spokesperson stated further.
“Prime Minister Modi and President Trump have a friendly relationship and have always addressed each other with mutual respect as per diplomatic norms,” Jaiswal asserted, in view of the recent statements by the US President on his conversations with PM Modi.
#WATCH | Delhi | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “Prime Minister Modi and President Trump have a friendly relationship and have always addressed each other with mutual respect as per diplomatic norms…” pic.twitter.com/6px94iyAE3
— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2026