US Congress Passes Russia Sanctions Bill Targeting India's Oil Imports

The push to penalize India began as part of a broader effort in the US Congress to respond to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Lawmakers have been concerned that countries purchasing Russian oil are helping finance Russia's war effort.

In September 2026, an amendment was submitted to a Russia sanctions bill that directly named India. This marked a shift, as previous US sanctions and tariffs had avoided singling out India so explicitly.

On September 15, 2026, reports first emerged that a US lawmaker had introduced an amendment to the Russia sanctions act specifically naming India and proposing a 100 percent tariff on its imports. The underlying legislation, known as the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, had already passed the Senate by a strong margin.

The bill's focus is to curb Russia's ability to fund its war in Ukraine by targeting not just Russia, but also countries that continue to buy its oil. India, as a major buyer of Russian crude, was included in the amendment's scope.

The House Rules Committee approved the bill, advancing it toward a vote in the full House. The amendment received attention for giving broad new tariff powers to the US president, including the authority to impose steep tariffs on India and other countries purchasing Russian oil.

By September 16, the House had moved the bill forward, and a final vote was set. The bill's supporters argue it is necessary to pressure Russia, while critics warn it could harm US relations with key partners like India.

The bill has cleared key procedural hurdles in the US House and is now set for a final vote. If passed, it would authorize the president to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on India and other countries importing Russian oil.

This move has raised alarms in India and drawn scrutiny from international observers, as it signals a possible escalation in economic and diplomatic tensions between Washington and New Delhi.

The next step is the final House vote. If the bill passes, it could quickly become law and give the US president new powers to penalize India. How India responds, and whether other countries are similarly targeted, will be closely watched by both governments and global markets.