‘You better clean up your act’: US lawmaker to India after Congress passes Russia sanctions bill

US Senator Richard Blumenthal has told India to 'clean up your act' after Congress passed the Russia sanctions bill and sent it to President Donald Trump's desk. India could face tariffs of up to 100 per cent if the bill is signed into law.

US Senator Richard Blumenthal on Wednesday told India to "clean up your act" after Congress passed the Russia sanctions bill.

After the Senate passed the bill last month, the House of Representatives passed the bill in a 262-159 vote on Wednesday and sent it President Donald Trump's desk. India could face tariffs of up to 100 per cent if the bill is signed into law.

The bill is aimed at depriving Russia of energy revenues that drive its war on Ukraine by punishing countries buying Russian oil and gas — India has been among the largest buyers of Russian oil since President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

"To China and India: You better clean up your act. Buy your oil and gas somewhere else. Appeasement is not a strategy," said Blumenthal.

The bill, formally called the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026', also extends sanctions on Iran's energy and weapons sector by five years.

Critics of the bill have flagged that it gives too much authority on tariffs to the president and that is why 152 Democrats, many of whom support aid to Ukraine and actions against Russia, opposed the bill. But supporters have argued that the bill explicitly restricts new tariffs to countries buying Russian energy and facilitating evasion of sanctions.

Despite being friends with Putin, Trump has previously indicated that he would sign the bill into law.

Following the passage of the bill, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the issue has been discussed at high levels with the Trump administration.

"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. Government will work closely with Indian trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications of these developments," the MEA further said.