New Delhi: Nearly a month has passed since Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (SRIA) into law, which authorises the US President to impose up to 100% tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil and gas, or help Moscow evade sanctions.
It raised concerns over India and China facing extreme sanctions, but no action has been taken yet.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Thursday that President Trump is expected to decide within 10 days whether to slap penalties on countries buying Russian energy, ANI reported.
“He (Trump) has to make a determination in the next 10 or so days I believe,” Gor said at the Bloomberg New Economy forum, adding that the President has not yet imposed sanctions on any country under the law so far.
The legislation requires the President to make a determination within 30 days of its passage.
Gor pointed out that the legislation had received strong bipartisan backing in the US Senate, with 86 of the 100 senators voting in its favour, but he claimed it was not meant “punish” anyone.
“The goal is not to punish anyone. The goal is to try to bring an end to this war,” Gor said.
The US administration recognises that countries cannot immediately discontinue their existing energy supplies but wants to work with its partners to gradually reduce the flow of funds towards the war, Gor remarked.
Asked whether India could get relief from the proposed sanctions or qualify for exemptions, Gor said the decision rests with the President.
On the long-pending bilateral trade pact, negotiations for which have been underway for around a year-and-a-half, the US Ambassador expressed confidence that the two countries will reach an agreement.
“The big picture, the big framework, the big items are done,” Gor said, adding that the remaining work involved resolving smaller details, along with addressing new issues that could arise during the discussions.