US Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill—India Among Top Buyers Facing 100% Tariffs

The United States Senate on Tuesday passed a bipartisan sanctions bill targeting countries that purchase Russian oil and energy products, imposing tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five buyers. India is among the nations that could face direct economic consequences under this legislation.

The bill, authored by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, aims to curb revenue flowing to Russia amid its ongoing war in Ukraine. It also includes provisions to tighten sanctions on Iran, restricting its ability to sustain its wartime economy and advance its nuclear programme, according to The New York Times.

In a joint statement, senators from both parties said: 'We are proud to announce an agreement on legislation to stop purchasers of Russian oil and gas from fueling Putin’s war machine and to continue restricting the Iranian regime’s ability to support terrorism and build its nuclear program.'

While the bill has cleared the Senate, it must still pass the House of Representatives and be signed by the President to become law. The legislation specifically targets the five largest importers of Russian energy, which include India, China, and other nations that have increased purchases since the invasion of Ukraine began.

Critics of the bill warn that such tariffs could further disrupt global energy markets and strain diplomatic relations with key allies. Supporters argue that the measures are necessary to weaken Russia's capacity to finance its military operations.