100% tariff threat to India: US House advances Russia sanctions bill | What we know

The US House of Representatives has moved a bill imposing 100% tariffs on India and four other countries to a final vote, according to reports. The bill is expected to be approved by the House.

The bill aims to punish Russia and major buyers of its petroleum products, which the US has claimed helped Moscow in its war on Ukraine. China and India has been the two main buyers of Russian energy.

It has been renamed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 after the late US Senator Lindsey Graham.

Earlier in August, the bill was passed by the US Senate with an overwhelming majority.

What the bill says about tariffs

It allows the President Donald Trump to impose 100% tariffs on goods from countries that are importing Russian oil and gas. Apart from China and India, other countries on the list include Azerbaijan, Hungry and Slovakia.

The bill also aims to extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 till 2031. It penalizes companies that invest in Iranian energy sector.

The bipartisan bill was championed by Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal.

“This bill forces those primary countries keeping Russia’s economy afloat to make a simple yet critical choice – a choice between doing business with America or buying cheap Russian energy,” said Darline Graham, the late senator’s sister after it was passed in the Senate.

Apart from targeting Russian energy buyers, the bill also seeks to impose sanctions on Russian leaders, officials, oligarchs, financial institutions and President Vladimir Putin himself.

After its passage in the House, the bill will be sent to US President Trump. If the president also clears it then it would become a law.

Indian stand on Russian energy

India has maintained its position on the issue of buying oil from Russia, saying it will depend on “national interest” including “adequate availability” and prevailing global oil prices.

The ministry of external affairs on Tuesday termed India-Russia energy cooperation an “important pillar” of the bilateral partnership, with both sides trying to expand collaboration in this sector.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while talking about the energy cooperation between India and Russia highlighted its importance.

‘Important pillar of partnership’

“The energy cooperation between India and Russia is an important pillar of our partnership. Both countries have been collaborating in the energy sector for a long time, including in the field of nuclear energy. The Kudankulam project is a successful example of India-Russia collaboration in the energy sector,” Jaiswal said during the MEA’s biweekly press briefing in Delhi.

Jaiswal added that India was keen to further expand the energy cooperation with Russia. Both sides have been in discussions, and technical teams have been engaged in consultations on various aspects of cooperation,” he said.

Russian President Putin was in India last week to attend the BRICS Summit and held wide ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.