Kathmandu [Nepal], September 17 – The US Senate has passed a bill allowing 100% tariffs on five countries including India over their purchases of Russian oil and gas.
The House of Representatives also passed a bill imposing tougher sanctions on Russia giving President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy particularly India and China.
The “Lindsey O. Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act of 2026” passed the House on Wednesday by 262 votes to 159. The Senate had already approved the bill in August by an 86-11 vote.
The legislation has now been sent to the White House for final approval. It will become law if Trump signs it.
The bill allows tariffs of up to 100% on India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan. It aims to reduce Russia’s oil revenues and weaken its ability to finance the war.
The legislation would also tighten sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions and the energy and defense sectors while increasing scrutiny of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers.
Ajay Srivastava, director of New Delhi-based Global Trade Research Initiative said the measure could increase pressure on India which relied on Russia for 30.3% of its crude oil imports in 2026.
