- The House passed the Graham Act 262-159; the Senate had approved it 86-11 on 7 August 2026.
- It allows tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the top five buyers of Russian oil or gas.
- The MEA said India would keep buying from diverse sources and protect its trade interests.
The US House of Representatives voted 262-159 on 16 September 2026 to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which the Senate had approved 86-11 on 7 August. It lets the US President impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five largest importers of Russian oil or gas. India bought 1.6 million barrels a day of Russian crude in August, the most of any country, per S&P Global data. On 17 September India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it had warned the US of the bill's implications.
Any such tariff would be added on top of existing US duties on Indian goods, pricing many Indian exports out of the US market. India is the largest buyer of Russian crude, so it was directly in the law's sights.
Claim by claim
The bill lets the US President impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas.
S&P Global and The Indian Express both describe this provision. The law also lets the President waive sanctions in the national interest.
S&P Global · The Indian ExpressIndia was the largest importer of Russian crude in August 2026.
S&P Global Commodities at Sea data put India at 1.6 million barrels a day in August, ahead of China at 1.1 million.
S&P GlobalThe bill's implications for the relationship and for energy markets have been 'very clearly articulated by the Indian side'.
Said by Ministry of External AffairsThis is the MEA's own statement, quoted by ThePrint. It confirms what India says it told the US, not how Washington received it.
ThePrintWhat each side says
Supporters say the law aims to disrupt Moscow's energy revenues and close enforcement loopholes; The Indian Express called it the first major pro-Ukraine measure passed by Congress in over two years. Democratic leaders opposed its expanded tariff powers, though 58 Democrats voted for it.
The Indian ExpressThe MEA said India remains 'firmly committed' to energy security for 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing and evolving market dynamics, had raised the issue at high levels with the US, and would work with industry to deal with the implications.
ThePrint · ReutersK.C. Venugopal asked whether India's 'foreign policy and energy sovereignty' would be 'controlled from Washington' and demanded the government clarify its stance. Randeep Surjewala called the US move an 'affront to Indian sovereignty'.
The HinduStep by step
US House passes the Graham Act 262-159 (US time).
MEA says it is monitoring developments and has conveyed concerns to the US.
Not yet known
- ?Whether the US would actually impose tariffs on India, and at what rate.
Sources
5 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.
- S&P GlobalCongress passes sanctions, tariff bill targeting buyers of Russian energy
- The Indian ExpressTrump gets power to slap 100% tariffs on India, China for buying Russian oil
- ThePrintIndia 'firmly committed' to ensuring energy security: MEA reacts to US' Russia Sanctions Bill
- The HinduCongress says U.S. law on Russian oil purchase is an 'affront' to India's sovereignty
- ReutersIndia vows to protect energy security, warns U.S. tariffs could hit ties
Spasht writes original summaries. Follow the links to read each outlet's own report. Revision 1.