The Congress party on Thursday objected to remarks by US Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who warned India and China to stop buying Russian oil and gas after the US House of Representatives passed a new Russia sanctions bill.
Congress MP Pawan Khera questioned the language used by the American senator in a post on X. Khera asked why such language was being used while referring to India.
Blumenthal’s comments came after the US House passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by a vote of 262-159. The legislation now awaits President Donald Trump’s signature. If enacted, it would give the US president the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.
Speaking after the congressional vote, Blumenthal said that India and China should buy their oil and gas from other sources. His comments reflected growing pressure from sections of the US political establishment on countries continuing to purchase Russian energy.
The proposed legislation does not automatically impose a 100 per cent tariff on Indian goods. Instead, it gives the US president the power to impose additional tariffs under specified conditions. India is among the countries that could potentially face such measures.
The issue has emerged as a fresh point of tension in India-US relations. India has continued to purchase Russian crude while maintaining that its energy procurement decisions are guided by energy security, market conditions and the need for diversified supplies.
The Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that India had taken note of the passage of the US legislation and was monitoring further developments. The ministry said India would continue to ensure energy security for its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing and evolving market dynamics.
The MEA also said the potential impact of the legislation on India-US bilateral relations and international energy markets had been discussed with US officials at senior levels. New Delhi, it said, had made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests.
The legislation also contains measures targeting Russia’s energy sector, companies and foreign actors allegedly supporting Russia’s military activities, as well as additional sanctions involving Iran.
For India, the development could have implications for trade and energy costs if punitive tariffs are eventually imposed. However, the immediate impact will depend on how the legislation is implemented and whether the US administration exercises the tariff powers provided by the bill.
The issue comes at a time when India and the United States are also engaged in broader discussions on trade and economic relations. Meanwhile, New Delhi has indicated that it will continue to monitor developments and protect its economic and energy interests.
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