The US Senate has taken a major step toward imposing tougher sanctions on Russia by advancing a bill that could have significant implications for India and several other countries. The proposed legislation, which aims to increase economic pressure on Moscow over the Ukraine war, includes a provision that could authorize tariffs of up to 100% on countries continuing to purchase Russian energy. India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan are among the nations that could be affected if the bill eventually becomes law. The Senate approved a procedural vote by 86-12, allowing the legislation to move forward for further consideration. The development came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the US Capitol, where he met lawmakers to discuss continued American support for Ukraine. While the Senate vote is an important milestone, the bill has not yet become law and must still complete the remaining legislative process before any measures can take effect.

The sanctions bill was originally introduced in April 2025 by the late Senator Lindsey Graham and seeks to tighten economic restrictions on Russia while discouraging other countries from relying on Russian oil and gas. India has emerged as one of the world's largest buyers of Russian crude oil, second only to China, especially after disruptions in global energy markets. The country's dependence on Russian supplies increased following the conflict in West Asia, which affected shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and reduced the availability of crude oil from the Gulf region. According to the proposed legislation, countries continuing to import significant quantities of Russian energy could face steep tariffs on exports to the United States. Earlier, Senator Richard Blumenthal had indicated that limited exemptions could be considered for countries whose purchases of Russian gas remain below a specified threshold. However, no final exemptions have been confirmed as the bill is still under consideration.

The proposal comes against the backdrop of already strained trade ties between India and the United States. In August 2025, the US imposed an additional 25% tariff on certain Indian goods over India's continued energy trade with Russia, taking the total tariff burden on some products to 50%. Those measures had slowed trade negotiations between the two countries. Later, during the energy crisis triggered by the conflict involving Iran and disruptions in the Gulf, the United States announced a temporary waiver that allowed countries, including India, to continue purchasing Russian crude under specific conditions. Since then, India's imports of Russian oil have increased significantly as refiners sought stable and affordable supplies. If the newly proposed sanctions bill is ultimately passed in its current form, it could have far-reaching consequences for India's trade and energy strategy. However, government officials in both countries are expected to continue diplomatic discussions before any final decision is implemented, and the exact impact will depend on the final version of the legislation and any exemptions that may be included.