US sanctions waiver on Russia eases pressure on Indian exporters and energy security

US President Donald Trump's waiver of sanctions under the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA) provides relief to India's energy security and exporters by ensuring continued access to competitively priced Russian crude, which helps moderate input costs and ease inflationary pressures. Industry experts, including FICCI's Anant Swarup and FIEO's Ajay Sahai, welcomed the decision as a boost for bilateral trade and buyer confidence, particularly in employment-intensive sectors like textiles and engineering goods. However, they noted the waiver remains reviewable, leaving uncertainty for long-term business planning. Trump issued the waiver on October 16, citing US national interests, after the law authorized duties up to 100 percent on countries like India and China purchasing Russian oil and gas. Experts hope the move facilitates a durable India-US trade agreement while India diversifies its export markets.