US House passes Russia sanctions bill, clears way for tariffs on India, China
The legislation allows tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas. India and China have been specifically identified in the House debate as major buyers potentially affected by the provision.
"The Government of India has noted the passage of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the US Congress. We are monitoring further developments on this matter," the MEA said in a statement.
"As stated on several earlier occasions, India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people.
"It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics. This issue has been discussed at high levels in recent months with various US interlocutors," the statement said.
MEA further said:
"Its potential implications for not just the bilateral relationship but also the international energy market have been very clearly articulated by the Indian side.
The Indian side has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests.
"The Govt will work closely with Indian trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications of these developments," MEA said.
The US House of Representatives has passed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that gives President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries including India and China over their purchases of Russian oil and gas.
The House approved the bill 262-159, with dozens of Democrats joining most Republicans in supporting sanctions and tariffs linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II, with fighting continuing ever since.
The bill faced last-minute hurdles in Congress as members of the Republican party’s isolationist wing were joined by Democrats who warned that Trump could use the bill’s new tariffs authority against allies instead.
The bill would mandate new sanctions on Russian political and military officials, and foreign networks helping to supply Russia’s war machine and evade existing sanctions.
It would also target Russia’s so-called fleet of “shadow tankers”, which have allowed the country to continue to ship crude around the world despite sanctions on its energy exports.
It would also allow Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top purchasers of Russian energy, including China, as well as other countries helping the Kremlin evade sanctions.
Senior Democrats voiced opposition to the bill during a heated floor debate.
“Why in the world would this Congress give this president additional authority to visit that kind of economic harm on the American people?” said Hakeem Jeffries, the leading Democrat in the House.
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