India, Sept. 17 -- India responds to the US Congress passing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, telling Washington on Thursday, September 17, that it will do whatever is necessary to protect its trade and economic interests. The legislation hands President Donald Trump the power to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the world's biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas, a list that puts both India and China squarely in the crosshairs.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the government had "noted the passage" of the Act and was "monitoring further developments on this matter." Reiterating New Delhi's long-standing position, the MEA said India "remains firmly committed to ensuring energy securit...