Pressure in the US is increasing on India regarding the purchase of oil and gas from Russia. Senator Richard Blumenthal issued a warning to India and China about the necessity of ceasing the acquisition of energy resources from Russia.
This statement was made after a bill concerning new sanctions against Russia was passed by the US House of Representatives. Addressing India and China, Blumenthal stated: 'You must change your behavior. Buy your gas and oil somewhere else. Appeasement is not a strategy.'
Previously, the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026' was approved in the US House of Representatives. The bill received 262 votes in favor and 159 against. Before this, a similar law was passed in the US Senate with a result of 86 votes in favor versus 11 against, and it is now being sent to President Donald Trump.
The adopted law does not mean the direct imposition of a 100% tariff on goods from India. However, it gives the president the right to impose an additional tariff of up to 100 percent on countries that are among the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, provided certain purchasing conditions are met. In addition to India and China, countries such as Albania, Hungary, and Slovakia could be at risk. The goal of this legislation is to reduce Russia's revenue from oil and gas sales, as America believes these revenues help Russia continue military actions in Ukraine.
The law also provides for measures against Russian officials, financial institutions, and the so-called 'shadow fleet,' which is accused of helping Russia circumvent existing restrictions. Furthermore, it provides for the extension of sanctions against Iran's energy and arms sectors for a period of five years.
Democratic Senator Jean Shaheen also criticized the countries purchasing energy from Russia. He noted that Russia sells oil and gas through a 'shadow fleet,' and that these purchases are made by countries such as China and India. Shaheen emphasized that China is the largest buyer of Russian oil and gas and insisted that America should send a strong signal not only to Russian President Vladimir Putin but also to the countries purchasing from it.
Proponents of the bill argue that imposing such tariffs will increase pressure on countries to reduce energy purchases from Russia and affect Moscow's revenue. Meanwhile, India has stated its position, emphasizing that issues of energy resource procurement are an internal matter of the country.