India is facing renewed trade pressure from Washington after US lawmakers introduced competing amendments to a Russia sanctions bill that could expose major buyers of Russian energy, including India, to additional tariffs of up to 100%. The development comes as the US House considers the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, already passed by the Senate with strong bipartisan support.
One proposed House amendment would specifically name India, China and several other countries as potential targets under the tariff provision. Another amendment, however, seeks to remove the provision entirely. That means the 100% tariff threat is not yet an imposed tariff; the final outcome depends on how Congress resolves the competing proposals and whether the legislation ultimately becomes law.
The legislation is designed to pressure countries that continue purchasing Russian oil and gas, with the broader objective of reducing Moscow’s energy revenues. The Senate version would give the US president authority to impose additional tariffs of up to 100% on qualifying countries, rather than automatically imposing that rate on India.
For New Delhi, the stakes are substantial. Russia has become India’s largest crude supplier, and discounted Russian oil has played an important role in containing the country’s energy import costs. India has repeatedly maintained that its energy decisions are guided by national interests and energy security rather than external political pressure.
A 100% additional US tariff would nevertheless create a serious economic challenge for Indian exporters. Higher duties could make Indian products considerably less competitive in the American market, potentially affecting sectors ranging from engineering goods and pharmaceuticals to textiles and other manufactured exports.
But Washington also faces a trade-off. Punishing India through sweeping tariffs could raise costs for American importers and consumers while complicating broader US-India economic relations. Critics in Congress have already warned that expanded tariff powers could create economic costs inside the United States.
The immediate issue, therefore, is not whether India has already been hit with a 100% tariff—it has not. The real question is whether Congress ultimately gives President Donald Trump another powerful tariff weapon and whether New Delhi can negotiate an exemption or other arrangement.
For India, the episode is another test of strategic autonomy, energy security and its ability to balance ties with Washington and Moscow without allowing trade pressure to dictate its foreign policy.
