Guwahati: The US Senate has passed a bipartisan bill proposing tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries that continue to purchase Russian crude oil and natural gas, a move that could have significant implications for India, one of the major buyers of Russian energy.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was approved on Friday by an 86-11 vote. The legislation will now move to the House of Representatives, where it must be approved before it can become law.
The proposed legislation seeks to increase economic pressure on Moscow by targeting revenues generated through its energy exports amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. It also calls for sanctions against senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, and foreign companies linked to Russia’s defence industry.
A key provision of the bill would allow the US to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods imported from countries that purchase Russian oil and gas. However, the legislation includes an exemption for countries that import less than 15 per cent of Russia’s total natural gas exports.
The Senate had earlier voted 86-12 on a procedural measure, clearing the way for the final vote.
The proposed sanctions come at a sensitive time for India-US relations, with both countries continuing negotiations over trade and tariff issues. Washington has maintained that restricting purchases of Russian energy is intended to reduce revenues supporting Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine.
India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan have been identified among the countries of concern because of their continued imports of Russian energy.
The legislation could add further uncertainty to ongoing India-US trade talks. In February 2026, the two countries had outlined an interim trade arrangement involving an 18 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian exports in return for increased Indian purchases of US energy and technology.
However, the arrangement was disrupted after the US Supreme Court struck down the tariff mechanism imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The US administration subsequently introduced a temporary Section 122 tariff framework, followed by a Section 301 process linked to forced-labour concerns. Indian goods currently face an additional 10 per cent duty over applicable Most-Favoured-Nation rates.
Asked whether the proposed Russia sanctions could affect the India-US trade negotiations, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said the matter would be left to the negotiating teams.
“It’s up to the negotiators,” Hassett said, without providing further details.
Despite continuing differences over tariffs and India’s Russian energy purchases, New Delhi and Washington remain engaged in discussions aimed at reducing trade barriers and reaching a transitional trade agreement.