China and India on Thursday pushed back against a sweeping US sanctions and tariff bill targeting Russia, warning against measures that could disrupt trade ties and global energy markets.
The US House of Representatives approved the bill on Wednesday by a 262-159 vote, with dozens of Democrats joining Republicans. The measure now goes to US President Donald Trump for his signature.
The legislation targets senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, as well as oligarchs, state-owned companies and foreign businesses supporting Russia’s defence industry.
It also authorises the Trump administration to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, including China and India.
“China carries out economic and trade cooperation with countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing.
Guo, however, said China’s “cooperation does not target any third party and it should not be disrupted under the coercion of any third party.”
“We always oppose long-arm jurisdiction that has no basis in international law or authority of UN Security Council,” he stressed.
Chinese and Russian bilateral trade has grown over the years, surging over $240 billion in 2024, and most of the trade is conducted in national currencies.
India
India, meanwhile, said it remained firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its people and would continue sourcing supplies from diverse sellers based on market dynamics.
New Delhi also said that it had warned Washington that any such new moves could impact ties between the two countries.
The Indian foreign ministry said that it had noted the passage of the bill, adding that New Delhi had raised the issue with various US interlocutors in recent months, and had "very clearly articulated" the potential implications for the bilateral relationship and the international energy market.
"The Indian side has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests," it said in a statement.
The government would work closely with trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications of the legislation, it added.
India, the world's third-biggest oil importer, is among the biggest buyers of Russian oil, which is seen as helping Moscow replenish its budget since it launched its full-scale war with Ukraine in 2022 and was hit with sweeping Western sanctions.
New Delhi has repeatedly sought to resist pressure to scale back its oil trade with Russia, saying its large population and economy need secure, affordable and reliable energy supplies.
