India faced double-pressure over energy on Thursday (January 8, 2026) from U.S. President Donald Trump’s decisions to back a Bill mandating up to “500% tariffs” on countries buying Russian oil, and to withdraw the U.S. from the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA) amongst dozens of other international organisations.
The announcements came just ahead of the arrival of U.S. Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor to Delhi this weekend, who said in September that ensuring India ends its import of Russian oil is a “top priority”. Mr. Gor, who was confirmed and sworn in to the position months ago will begin his tenure in Delhi as Ambassador to Delhi and “Special envoy to South and Central Asia” on January 12, 2026, and is expected to make a public address.
Meanwhile in Paris, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslow Sikorski expressed “satisfaction” that India has reduced its oil imports from Russia, during a joint press appearance with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Ministers of France and Germany.
