Lagatar24 Desk
Washington: The Trump administration has delivered a sharp warning to India and China, urging both countries to reduce their reliance on Russian oil and gas or face unprecedented economic penalties from the United States, with Republican Senator Richard Blumenthal telling New Delhi and Beijing to “get their act together” and source their energy elsewhere.
Blumenthal Issues Blunt Warning After Sanctions Bill Passage
Addressing the media following the passage of the Russia Sanctions Bill in the US Congress, Blumenthal said appeasement was not a strategy, urging China and India to buy their oil and gas from other sources. India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, remains among the biggest buyers of Russian crude, a trade seen as helping Moscow sustain its budget amid sweeping Western sanctions following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Bill Aims to Pressure Putin Toward Negotiations
Blumenthal, who co-authored the bill with the late Senator Lindsey Graham, expressed hope that the sanctions would help push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward the negotiating table to end the war, stating directly that the US had taken note of Putin’s actions while reassuring Ukraine that it was not alone.
Legislation Targets Top Importers of Russian Energy
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 seeks to sanction Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of tankers facilitating the continued flow of Russian energy exports. The bill also directs President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China, with an exemption for countries importing less than 15 percent of Russia’s natural gas exports that have taken meaningful steps to reduce such imports. The legislation passed the House in a 262-159 vote on Wednesday and now awaits Trump’s signature to become law.
India Reaffirms Commitment to Energy Security
In response, India stated that it remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its people and will continue sourcing supplies from diverse sellers based on market dynamics, despite the latest US move targeting such buyers. India’s foreign ministry said it had already raised the issue with various American interlocutors in recent months, clearly articulating the potential implications of such measures for bilateral ties and the broader international energy market.
India Vows to Protect Trade and Economic Interests
The ministry stated that India has made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests, adding that the government would work closely with trade and industry bodies to address the implications of the legislation. New Delhi has consistently resisted pressure to scale back its oil trade with Russia, citing the energy security needs of its large population and economy for affordable and reliable supplies.
