India-US relations could face renewed pressure over New Delhi’s purchases of Russian energy if a sanctions bill being considered by the US House becomes law, according to DW. The measure would allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 cleared a key procedural hurdle in the House on Tuesday, passing by 214 votes to 211, DW reported. A final House vote was expected on Wednesday. The bill had already passed the Senate last month.
The legislation would target Russia’s leadership, energy and defense sectors, as well as a “shadow fleet” that the bill says helps Moscow evade oil sanctions. Its proposed tariffs are intended to increase economic pressure on Russia by penalizing countries that continue purchasing its energy exports.
India could be affected because it is a major consumer of Russian energy. DW said India-Russia ties have strengthened since the start of the war in Ukraine, driven largely by Russian oil exports, while tensions with the United States have grown over those purchases.
The source reported that Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports last August over India’s Russian oil purchases, on top of a 25% reciprocal tariff. The additional Russia-related tariff was removed in February 2026, while the reciprocal tariff was reduced to 18% under a US-India trade framework.
The bilateral trade agreement remains unresolved, according to DW, with no significant breakthrough reported. If the House approves the sanctions bill, it would go to Trump for his signature.