Zillar Barta Desk : India has reacted cautiously to the US House of Representatives’ passage of a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that could give President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue purchasing Russian oil and gas, including India. The legislation was passed by the House on September 16 by a vote of 262–159 and now awaits consideration by President Trump.
The bill, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, seeks to increase economic pressure on Russia by targeting its energy sector, officials, financial institutions and vessels linked to sanctions evasion. The Senate had previously approved the legislation by an 86–11 vote.
For India, the key concern is the provision allowing the US President to impose secondary tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. However, the passage of the bill does not automatically impose a 100% tariff on Indian goods. It gives the US President the authority to take such action if the legislation becomes law and the power is subsequently invoked.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said New Delhi is closely monitoring developments following the passage of the legislation. The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring reliable and affordable energy for the country’s 1.4 billion people and said it would take necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests.
India has remained a major importer of Russian crude since the disruption of global energy supplies following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Any significant increase in tariffs could therefore have implications for India’s energy costs, refining sector and exports to the US.
The development also adds another issue to the broader India-US economic relationship, with the potential impact depending on whether Washington ultimately uses the tariff authority provided under the legislation.
