A World of Exceptions: US Sanctions Policy and the Russia-India Case

The US sanctions policy is increasingly becoming a world of exceptions, where the rules are not applied universally but are tailored to specific situations. The contrasting treatment of India and Russia provides a stark example of this trend.
The rule, as applied to India, is strict enforcement. The country’s trade with Russia has resulted in a clear and severe penalty: a 50% tariff on its exports to the United States. This sends a message that breaking the sanctions regime has serious consequences.
The exception is being carved out for potential US interests in Russia. The discussions about allowing Exxon Mobil to re-enter a sanctioned project represent a major potential waiver of the very rules being enforced against India. This is being justified by the strategic goal of achieving peace in Ukraine.
This “world of exceptions” makes US policy less predictable. It suggests that sanctions are not a rigid legal framework but a flexible political tool, to be used, ignored, or modified as the administration sees fit, creating a more uncertain environment for all international actors.