India Slams US Tariff Bill as Unfair and Discriminatory

The Indian government has expressed sharp disapproval of the US Senate's passage of legislation that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying large quantities of Russian oil and gas. The bill, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, targets countries that are among the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, or among the top five facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion.

India is one of the countries most likely to be affected by the bill, along with China. According to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), India imported 52.4% of its total crude imports from Russia in June, at a cost of EUR 5.5 billion. This represents the world's second-largest buyer of Russian hydrocarbons that month.

The Indian government argues that the bill is unfair and discriminatory, as it singles out India's crude purchases for tariffs while allowing European countries to continue importing Russian gas and LNG. Officials point out that Western producers cannot match the terms offered by Russia, and that India needs reliable quantities of energy to meet its domestic demand.

The bill has not yet become law, as it still requires passage in the House of Representatives. However, the Senate vote gives the measure momentum, and Indian officials are concerned about the potential impact on their country's economy.