A US Senate-backed bill could impose tariffs of up to 100% on India for buying Russian oil
India could soon find itself at the centre of Washington’s latest sanctions strategy after more than 60 US senators backed a bipartisan bill proposing tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue importing significant volumes of Russian oil. If enacted, the legislation would give the US President sweeping powers to impose punitive duties on India’s exports as part of a broader effort to squeeze Russia’s energy revenues.
The revised legislation specifically targets the five largest purchasers of Russian crude and natural gas, a list that includes India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan. Lawmakers argue that continued purchases of discounted Russian energy indirectly help finance Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine.
The proposal marks a significant shift from an earlier version of the bill, which contemplated tariffs as high as 500%. To broaden bipartisan support, senators lowered the maximum tariff to 100% while retaining the President’s authority to waive penalties if deemed to be in the US national interest.
Although the legislation has crossed the politically significant threshold of 60 Senate co-sponsors, it has not yet become law. It must still clear both chambers of Congress before reaching the President’s desk. Analysts also note that the bill provides considerable discretion to the White House in deciding whether and how the tariffs are imposed.
For India, the proposal comes at a delicate moment. New Delhi has consistently defended its purchase of Russian crude, arguing that energy security and affordable supplies remain national priorities. Since the Ukraine conflict began, India has emerged as one of Russia’s largest oil customers, benefiting from discounted prices while maintaining that its imports comply with international regulations.
The proposed legislation could inject fresh uncertainty into India-US trade ties, even as both countries continue to deepen strategic cooperation in defence, technology and the Indo-Pacific. Whether the tariff threat ultimately becomes a negotiating tool or a formal trade measure will depend on the bill’s progress through Congress and the White House’s final approach toward Russia and its energy partners.
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