Problem

India's consumers, businesses, industries and the wider economy could be affected by external tariff measures targeting countries that purchase Russian energy. India remains heavily dependent on imported crude oil, making stable and affordable energy supplies important for transportation, manufacturing, agriculture and household consumption.Recent proposals in the United States for significantly higher tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil have raised concerns about potential effects on India's trade, inflation, currency stability and economic growth. At the same time, the economic advantage of Russian crude has reportedly narrowed substantially from the exceptional discounts seen in 2022.The issue is therefore broader than any single supplier. India needs to protect its energy security and ensure that decisions concerning crude-oil procurement remain guided by national economic interests, supply stability and affordability.This petition calls for a transparent, evidence-based assessment of the potential impact of external tariff measures and for India's energy policy to remain focused on protecting consumers, economic stability and strategic autonomy.

Proposed Solution

We urge the Government of India to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the economic and energy-security implications of any foreign tariff or sanctions measures affecting India's crude-oil imports.The Government should continue diversifying India's energy sources, maintaining strategic petroleum reserves, protecting consumers from unnecessary price shocks and engaging diplomatically with international partners to safeguard India's legitimate economic interests.We also call for transparent public communication about the costs, benefits and risks associated with different crude-oil sourcing options, so that India's energy decisions remain driven by national interest, affordability, supply security and long-term economic resilience.

Decision Makers

• Shri Hardeep Singh Puri
• Shri Nirmala Sitharaman