US Senate Passes Bill To Impose 100% Tariffs On India

The US Senate has passed a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that would give President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries that are among the world's largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India. The bill, which targets the five biggest purchasers of Russian energy, aims to cut Moscow's revenues from oil and gas sales.

The five countries targeted by the bill are China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary, and Slovakia. India is the second-largest buyer of Russian crude after China, with the country importing a record 2.8 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude in July 2026. This accounts for about 55.5% of total crude imports of just over 5 million bpd.

The bill, officially known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was approved by the Senate with an overwhelming 86-11 vote. The measure still needs to clear the US House of Representatives and faces further legislative and administrative steps before it could take effect.

## What's at stake The bill's passage has significant implications for India, which has become increasingly reliant on Russian crude. Replacing Russian crude at current volumes would be difficult, if not impossible, and India's crude oil import bill has already surged 60% year-on-year to nearly $49.8 billion in the April-June quarter.

## Why it matters The US Senate's move is part of a broader effort to punish Russia for its actions in Ukraine and to reduce Moscow's revenues from oil and gas sales. The bill's passage is a significant development in the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the US, Russia, and other countries. India, as one of the largest buyers of Russian energy, is likely to be affected by the proposed tariffs, which could have a significant impact on the country's economy.

The bill would also extend till 2031 the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, which penalizes companies that invest in Iran's energy sector. The bipartisan bill was championed by Republican senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, and its passage is seen as a significant achievement in the US Senate's efforts to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.