The Russian sanction bill is now US law. President Donald Trump signed it in Washington, with reports appearing on September 19. The law lets him impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that buy Russian oil and gas. India is among the countries in the frame. The law does not impose any duty on its own. It gives the White House a legal tool. That matters because Russia supplied about half of India’s crude oil in July.
What does the Russian sanction bill actually do?
The law is named after Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong Ukraine supporter who died in July. It targets Russian officials, banks and energy interests. It also covers foreign entities that back Moscow’s military effort. Sanctions on President Vladimir Putin are included. A quick definition helps here. Secondary tariffs are duties placed on one country because of its trade with a third country. In this case, the third country is Russia.
Tariffs can apply to the five largest importers of Russian crude or gas, based on the latest 12 months. The Diplomat reports exceptions for countries that import less than 15% of their gas from Russia and take significant steps to cut it. Tech Times lists China, India, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan as the current top five. The government of India has not confirmed this list.
Will India face a 100% tariff under the Russian sanction bill?
Not automatically. The law does not impose a 100% duty on India or China. It sets a ceiling, not a fixed rate. The process has three parts:
- The top five buyers are worked out from 12 months of data.
- The President decides whether to use the power.
- Any tariff can go up to 100%.
Whether India will be named has not been officially confirmed.
Why is India in the spotlight over Russian oil?
Russia supplied crude worth $7.27 billion to India in July. That was 51.1% of total crude imports of $14.21 billion. India imports more than 88% of its crude needs. The share has moved sharply this year. Imports fell to a 38 month low in December 2025. They rose to an 11 month high in April, after the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran. The US Treasury also temporarily waived sanctions for India on oil imports during that conflict.
What has India said about the Russian sanction bill?
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on September 17 that it had taken note of the bill and was watching developments. It added that it had taken up the matter with several US counterparts. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal spoke on Friday, September 18. He said India had told senior US officials about the effects on “India’s energy security, on international energy markets, and on the overall relationship,” according to Daily Jagran. The ministry also repeated that India is committed to the energy security of 1.4 billion people.
Earlier, while the bill was still pending, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India would “cross that bridge when we come to it.” The Tribune’s report does not state the date of that remark. But how could the Russian sanction bill affect Indian exporters and jobs?Madhavi Arora, Chief Economist at Emkay Global Financial Services, said the new law adds tariff uncertainty. She said it could derail the recovery in exports to the US.
| Period | Average monthly exports to US | Tariff context |
| Six months before September 2025 | $8.1 billion | Before the 50% tariffs |
| September 2025 to February 2026 | $6.5 billion | 50% tariffs |
| March to August 2026 | $8.5 billion | About 10% |
Can India replace Russian crude without a fuel price shock?
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Brazil, Oman and the US together supplied far less than Russia in July. India has started to widen its options. Bharat Petroleum contracted 10 million barrels of US crude last year. State refiners also signed a deal for about 2.2 million tonnes of US LPG for 2026, according to GTRI as reported by ANI. The effect on petrol and diesel prices has not been officially quantified.
How does the Russian sanction bill fit India’s history with US sanctions?
This is not the first such episode. The US passed CAATSA in 2017, which put pressure on India over the S-400 missile system. In 2019, Washington ended waivers that let India buy Iranian oil.
In August 2025, the US added a 25% tariff over Russian oil. That took the total tariff on Indian goods to 50%.
What happens after the Russian sanction bill becomes law?
Several points remain unconfirmed:
- Whether Washington will name India among the targeted countries
- Whether any tariff rate will be announced
- Whether India will seek exemptions or new talks
- How Indian refiners will adjust their purchases
The law also covers Iran. Russia’s war on Ukraine is now in its fifth year, and Moscow has called extra economic pressure incompatible with a negotiated settlement.