US Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal has told India and China to stop buying Russian oil and gas after the US House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on September 16.
The legislation, passed 262-159 after clearing the Senate 86-11 in August, gives President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from certain major purchasers of Russian crude oil or gas. Blumenthal said, “To China and India: You better clean up your act.
Buy your oil and gas somewhere else. Appeasement is not a strategy.” The bill does not automatically impose a 100% tariff on Indian goods; it limits the additional tariffs to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas and certain countries involved in sanctions evasion.
India, meanwhile, has reiterated that energy security for its 1.4 billion people remains a priority and said it will continue to diversify its energy sources based on market conditions. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also said India has discussed the issue with US interlocutors at senior levels and will take necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests.
Blumenthal’s Warning To India
Blumenthal’s remarks came shortly after the House passed the sanctions legislation, which is now headed to President Trump for his consideration. The Connecticut Democrat has been one of the leading US lawmakers behind the measure, which seeks to increase economic pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine.
In his statement following final congressional passage, Blumenthal said the legislation would hold major purchasers of Russian oil and gas accountable and target Russian officials, banks, financial institutions and the country’s so-called shadow fleet.
His warning was echoed by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who said Russia continues to sell oil and gas through the shadow fleet and that much of those supplies go to countries including India and China.
“China is the top user of Russian oil and gas, and we need to send a very strong message,” Shaheen said, arguing that countries purchasing Russian energy should face consequences under the new framework. The comments reflect the US lawmakers’ stated objective of reducing the revenues available to Moscow while putting pressure on countries that continue to purchase Russian energy.
What The New Bill Means
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 gives the US President new powers to impose targeted tariffs on goods from countries that purchase large amounts of Russian oil or gas or assist in sanctions evasion.
According to Blumenthal’s office, the tariff mechanism is limited to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas and the top five countries aiding Russian energy sanctions evasion. The legislation also targets Russian officials, oligarchs, banks and financial institutions, along with vessels associated with the shadow fleet.
The House approved the legislation by 262 votes to 159, with 203 Republicans, 58 Democrats and one Independent voting in favour. Seven Republicans and 152 Democrats voted against it. The Senate had passed the bill 86-11 in August.
Some Democrats opposed the measure because of concerns over the additional tariff powers it would give the Trump administration. Democratic Congressman Richard Neal, for instance, said during the House debate that Democrats were not in favour of giving the President more tariff authority.
For India, the distinction between “tariff threat” and an actual tariff is significant. The legislation itself does not automatically impose a 100% duty on Indian exports.
Instead, it creates the legal authority for the President to impose such duties if the conditions in the legislation are met and the administration chooses to use that authority. The bill is therefore an additional mechanism for Washington to pressure major buyers of Russian energy rather than an immediate blanket tariff on Indian goods.
India Puts Energy Security First
India’s response has centred on its domestic energy requirements rather than directly engaging with Blumenthal’s remarks. The MEA said on September 17 that India remains “firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people” and will continue to pursue that objective through diversified sources of supply and evolving market dynamics. It added that the issue and its potential implications for India-US relations and international energy markets had been discussed with US interlocutors at high levels in recent months.
The ministry also said India has made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests. It added that the government would work with Indian trade and industry bodies to address the implications of the US legislation. The response comes as India remains one of the world’s major crude oil importers and Russian oil continues to form an important part of its supply mix.
The development comes against the backdrop of a major shift in global oil trade since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. As several Western countries reduced purchases of Russian energy, Russia redirected substantial volumes towards Asian markets, particularly India and China.
India’s refiners have continued to adjust their sourcing depending on prices, availability, sanctions and disruptions elsewhere in the global oil market. Reuters reported that Indian refiners were also turning to Russian and Latin American supplies as Middle Eastern flows were affected by disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.
The Road Ahead For India-US Ties
The bill now puts the next major decision with President Trump. If the administration uses the new authority, Indian exporters could face additional US tariffs depending on the terms and scope of the eventual action. Indian refiners and businesses are therefore watching both Washington’s next steps and the impact on energy costs, trade flows and the wider India-US economic relationship.
Media reported that India has warned that new US tariff measures over Russian oil could affect bilateral ties, while Indian refiners have sought flexibility over existing Russian crude contracts. At the same time, the legislation’s stated purpose is to increase pressure on Russia and reduce the revenues Washington says help finance its war in Ukraine.
Its supporters, including Blumenthal, have described the measure as a way to make continued purchases of Russian energy more costly. India, however, has maintained that its energy decisions will be based on securing supplies for its population through diversified sourcing and changing market conditions.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The latest development highlights how decisions made around war, sanctions and energy security can have consequences far beyond the countries directly involved. For India, affordable and reliable energy remains an important consideration; for the US, the legislation is intended to increase economic pressure on Russia and reduce the flow of revenues linked to the war.
The growing disagreement also shows why sustained diplomatic engagement and dialogue remain important when economic policies affect ordinary consumers, businesses and global energy markets.
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