Washington’s October 22 sanctions on Russia’s top oil producers — Rosneft and Lukoil — have limited India’s oil import options and complicated trade talks with the US. India now faces two main challenges in its ties with the US: managing the impact of sanctions and securing a balanced trade deal. This will need a clear three-step plan.

On July 31, President Trump slapped a 25 per cent “Russian oil” tariff on Indian exports, accusing New Delhi of “fuelling the war” by buying cheap Russian crude. When the measure took effect on August 28, total US tariffs on Indian goods doubled to 50 per cent, causing India’s merchandise exports to the US to drop 37 per cent between May and September.

Despite falling exports, India kept buying discounted Russian oil, hoping Washington would ease tariffs o

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