‘Carefully Crafted To Target India, China’: US Senator On Russia Sanctions Bill

Published 29 July 2026 · india

‘Carefully Crafted To Target India, China’: US Senator On Russia Sanctions Bill Published By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 15:47 IST The legislation would authorise

‘Carefully Crafted To Target India, China’: US Senator On Russia Sanctions Bill Published By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 15:47 IST The legislation would authorise Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods imported from countries that continue purchasing Russian oil and gas. Rapid Read The Senate voted 86-12 on Tuesday to invoke the cloture motion to advance the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Russia Sanctions Bill: The US Senate has advanced a sweeping bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia’s energy revenues, with a provision that could have significant implications for countries importing Russian oil, including India and China. The US Senate voted 86-12 to advance the bipartisan Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, clearing its first procedural hurdle. A senior Republican senator said that the legislation has been specifically designed to avoid hurting American allies while focusing on the two largest buyers of Russian oil and gas– India and China.

Speaking at a press briefing, US Senator Roger Wicker said the proposed legislation was “carefully crafted" to target India and China, which he described as the main contributors to Russia’s war economy. “It is carefully crafted to make sure we are not hitting our allies and that we are hitting China and India," Wicker said. “Let’s be really blunt. China and India are the main culprits here. They purchase the vast majority of oil and gas, they are fuelling Russia’s war machine and they are doing us no favours anywhere else in the world," he added. One of the most closely watched provisions in the legislation would authorise US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods imported from countries that continue purchasing Russian oil and gas, a category that includes India and China. The proposed legislation seeks to expand economic pressure on Russia by targeting multiple sectors linked to its war effort.

If enacted, the bill would Impose sanctions on Russian officials and oligarchs Target Russian financial institutions Crack down on the so-called “shadow fleet" used to transport Russian oil while bypassing existing sanctions Empower the US President to levy tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports from countries purchasing Russian oil and gas However, the legislation has not yet become law. The Senate vote only advances the bill for further debate. It must still pass a final vote in the Senate, clear the House of Representatives and be signed by President Trump before taking effect. The proposed tariffs are also not automatic. Instead, the legislation would empower the US President to impose them as part of a broader sanctions framework if enacted. The bill was advanced hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met President Trump in Washington to seek stronger US action against Moscow. It is named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who championed tougher sanctions on Russia before his death earlier this month.