India-U.S. relations

In the news

• Trump signs Russia sanctions law that allows up to 100% tariffs on buyers like India 20 September 2026 · The Hindu

  A U.S. law now lets Washington tax India's exports for buying Russian oil. How much room does India have?

• Trump extends the $100,000 H-1B fee by a year and orders tighter vetting of employers 20 September 2026 · The Hindu

  Outsourcing firms' H-1B registrations fell 92% in a year. Is the $100,000 fee here to stay?

• U.S. proposes ending the 60-day grace period for H-1B and other laid-off visa workers 12 September 2026 · The Hindu

  Lose your job in the U.S. today and you get up to 60 days to find another. What happens if that cushion goes?

Key facts

• The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was signed by President Trump on 18 September 2026. (20 September 2026)
• It raises U.S. tariffs on goods from Russia to up to 500% and lets the President impose up to 100% tariffs on the top five importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas. (20 September 2026)
• A U.S. proclamation of 18 September 2026 extends the $100,000 H-1B payment requirement of Proclamation 10973 (19 September 2025) until 21 September 2027. (20 September 2026)
• A companion executive order directs agencies to weigh an employer's layoffs in the previous year, or planned layoffs, when handling H-1B cases. (20 September 2026)
• DHS published the proposed rule 'Eliminating the Discretionary 60-Day Grace Period' in the Federal Register on 11 September 2026; comments close on 10 November 2026. (12 September 2026)
• The rule would end the up-to-60-day grace period for E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1 and TN workers after their jobs end. (12 September 2026)

Previous-year questions

1. 2026 · GS3 · 15 marks Explain the key challenges for India's energy security. What measures do you suggest for ensuring energy security along with economic growth and sustainability?
2. 2025 · GS2 · 15 marks "Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India's foreign policy, and is linked with India's overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries." How would you integrate energy security with India's foreign…
3. 2025 · GS3 · 10 marks What are the challenges before the Indian economy when the world is moving away from free trade and multilateralism to protectionism and bilateralism? How can these challenges be met?
4. 2024 · GS2 · 10 marks 'The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China's supply chain and as a strategic ally to counter China's political and economic dominance.' Explain this statement with examples.
5. 2020 · GS2 · 15 marks What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
6. 2018 · GS3 · 15 marks How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect macroeconomic stability of India?