India may face heat as US revives Russia sanctions push

India May Face Pressure Amid U.S. Russia Sanctions Resurgence

India may face heat as US revives - Four U.S. Senators, including prominent Trump ally Lindsey Graham, have advanced a legislative effort to target nations acquiring Russian energy, potentially impacting India’s energy imports. The bipartisan group—comprising two Democrats and two Republicans—reached an agreement with the Trump administration to expedite the proposal, signaling renewed focus on curbing support for Russia’s war efforts.

Legislative Framework and Key Provisions

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 outlines measures to impose steep tariffs on countries importing Russian oil, natural gas, uranium, and petroleum products. A provision in the bill could lead to a 500% U.S. tax on such purchases, described by Senator Richard Blumenthal as a “bone-crushing” penalty. However, the legislation also grants the President temporary relief through 180-day waivers, contingent on national security assessments.

“We are proud to announce that we have reached an agreement with the Trump Administration to move our updated Russia sanctions legislation forward. We are very pleased with this significant progress and expect to roll out the legislation very soon. As Russia intensifies its slaughter of civilians, it is imperative that the legislative and executive branches work together to create tools to exact a heavy price on those who buy Russian oil and natural gas, fueling the Putin war machine,” the senators stated.

The bill has garnered broad backing in the U.S. Senate, with 84 lawmakers endorsing it as co-sponsors. Its visibility increased when President Donald Trump expressed interest in using it to pressure Russia into ending the Ukraine conflict. Despite earlier claims that Trump supported the measure, the legislation remains unpassed nearly a year after its initial introduction.

India’s Energy Purchases and the Licensing Timeline

India continued importing Russian oil under a U.S. Treasury permit issued post-US-Iran war, which allowed energy purchases without triggering sanctions. This license, however, expired on June 17, leaving the nation vulnerable to potential penalties. Senator Graham, in a social media post earlier that month, warned China and India: “If you continue to prop up Putin’s war machine, you’ll have nobody to blame but yourself.”

Reports suggest the bill underwent revisions, including milder tariff terms, though specifics remain pending. The revised framework could reshape international energy trade dynamics, particularly for countries reliant on Russian resources like India.