US pauses Russia oil sanctions, citing India's energy reliance and ally status

The US has paused sanctions and proposed tariffs targeting major buyers of Russian oil, including India and China, for a 60-day review period. Senator Marco Rubio cited India's energy reliance and its status as a key US ally as central reasons for the delay. Rubio explained the administration needs time to assess the economic impact of the measures on the global and US economies. He noted India has diversified its energy sources but still depends substantially on Russian supplies, making an immediate pivot impossible. The waiver applies to provisions allowing up to 100% tariffs on goods from the five largest buyers of Russian crude. The decision follows a US-Russia diesel supply deal and comes amid global energy pressures from conflicts involving the Houthis, Iran, and the Russia-Ukraine war. Rubio is scheduled to visit India later this month, including Jamnagar, home to one of the world's largest refineries.