On Thursday, the Congress party raised concerns about the Indian government’s approach to its relationship with the United States. This followed the passage of a new law by the US Congress that would allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. India, being one of those buyers, could be affected by this legislation.
KC Venugopal, a senior Congress leader, called on the central government to clarify its stance. He emphasized that the new law brings up important issues regarding India’s energy security and its independence in making foreign policy decisions. He questioned whether India would allow the US to dictate its energy needs, accusing the government of giving in to American pressures too often.
The legislation, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was approved by the US House of Representatives with a vote of 262-159 on Wednesday, having previously been supported by the Senate. The bill now awaits Trump’s approval. It not only authorizes hefty tariffs on the largest importers of Russian oil and gas but also includes sanctions against Russian officials and certain banks.
With India and China being leading buyers of Russian crude oil, they could face serious economic impacts if these tariffs are enforced. However, the law does allow the President some flexibility, including the ability to waive tariffs if it serves national interests.
Jairam Ramesh, another Congress leader, succinctly expressed the party’s view, stating that “appeasement has never paid and will never pay.”
Venugopal also made a connection between this situation and the recent decision regarding UPI transactions, suggesting that the government had already given in to US demands by moving away from a zero-fee model.
Furthermore, he pointed out the contradiction between this development and the government’s portrayal of the recent BRICS Summit in New Delhi as a sign of India’s increasing global influence.
Venugopal warned that Prime Minister Modi’s history suggests that the government may eventually relent regarding Russian oil purchases. He urged the central government to clarify its position and ensure that India’s energy needs remain intact.
