The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Russia Sanctions Bill on Wednesday, voting 262‑159. Written by Senator Richard Blumenthal and former Senator Lindsey Graham, the bill bars Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of tankers from accessing U.S. markets and imposes up to 100% tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas—India and China among them—unless they cut imports below 15% of Russia’s gas exports.
Blumenthal told reporters that India and China must "clean up their act" and stop buying Russian energy. "You better buy your oil and gas somewhere else," he said, adding, "To Vladimir Putin— we have your number. And to Ukraine—you are not alone."
In a statement, India’s foreign ministry said it remains committed to energy security and will diversify suppliers based on market dynamics. It warned Washington that punitive measures could strain bilateral ties and disrupt the global energy market.
The bill could hike India’s import bill by an estimated ₹1.2 lakh crore annually, given its current purchase of about 3.2 million barrels of Russian oil each month. For families in Mumbai, the spike in diesel prices could mean an extra ₹350 per litre at the pump, a burden that has already strained household budgets.
The legislation will now be sent to President Trump for signing. If signed, the tariffs could take effect within 30 days, triggering a swift diplomatic response from New Delhi and Beijing and sparking a reevaluation of their energy procurement strategies.