US Congressman names India, China in Russia Sanctions Bill

US lawmakers have filed amendments to a sanctions bill targeting Russia, with one proposal naming Moscow’s biggest oil trading partners, including India, for possible 100% tariffs, while another seeks to remove the tariff provision entirely. The bill, if approved by the White House, can cast a shadow over India-US ties amid negotiations to conclude FTA. The Indian government is keeping a close watch on the developments.

The White House is, so far, not on the same page with US Senators on the bill. An MEA spokesperson told reporters that India’s energy sourcing policy is based on national interests.

The amendment moved by Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer seeks to name China, India, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic as countries eligible for 100% duties.


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The amendments to the Russia Sanctions Act were made public by the House Rules Committee on Monday.

The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, passed by the US Senate by an 86-11 vote last month, is now before the House of Representatives, which has four working days left before it goes into an early recess ahead of the midterm elections on November 3.

Interestingly, Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks, who is opposed to granting more tariff-levying powers to Trump, has moved an amendment to scrap the entire Section 113 that seeks to grant authority to the President to impose broad secondary tariffs on Russia’s trading partners. The amendment moved by Meeks has three co-sponsors.

Yet another amendment moved by Meeks seeks to allow the President to waive the sanctions applicable to a foreign person for 90 days, with a provision for renewal for additional periods of 90 days, if it is “vital to the national security of the US”.

The bill must be passed by the House of Representatives before it is sent to the President for signature.

Last year, US President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil, but later withdrew it as trade deal negotiations with India progressed.

Russia continues to be India’s number one oil supplier. India imported 2.08 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian oil in August. Moscow’s share in New Delhi’s crude imports was 45% in August.