The US House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by 262–159 on September 16. The Senate had approved it by 86–11 on August 7. The bill will now go to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it shortly.The Act sanctions Russia and Iran. It also allows the US president to impose additional tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas. India and China, both major buyers of Russian crude, are likely targets.The legislation gives the president clear authority from Congress to use tariffs against countries buying Russian energy. Congress approval places such tariffs on stronger legal ground than earlier measures imposed mainly through presidential powers.After the Act is signed, the US Trade Representative will identify the targeted countries and recommend tariff rates. These countries would normally have 180 days to reduce Russian energy imports or negotiate with Washington. However, the president can shorten this period.India’s dependence on imported oilThe threat is serious because India imports more than 88% of its crude-oil requirements. In July 2026, Russia supplied India with crude worth $7.27 billion – 51.1% of its total crude imports of $14.21 billion.Other suppliers were far behind. The UAE accounted for 10.8% of India’s July imports, Saudi Arabia 9.6%, Venezuela 6.3%, Brazil 5.5%, Oman 5.3% and the US 2.9%. Russia alone supplied more crude than these six countries combined.India’s sources of oil have changed sharply. Until 2022, Gulf countries supplied more than 55% of India’s crude, while Russia’s share was below 15%. US-led disruptions to Gulf oil supplies have since reduced the Gulf countries’ share to below 30%, pushing India to buy much larger quantities from Russia.India may face more pressure than ChinaChina buys more Russian crude than India, but Washington will put greater pressure on New Delhi as it may fear retaliation by China. The US has discriminated against India before. In July 2025, the US imposed an additional 25% Russia-related tariff on Indian goods while sparing China. The tariff on India was withdrawn only in February 2026.India must protect its interestsThe new US Act turns sanctions into a trade weapon against India. Washington will now threaten tariffs of up to 100% and then offer a lower rate if New Delhi cuts Russian oil purchases and accepts concessions under a deeply unequal bilateral trade agreement. India should not trade away its energy security for temporary tariff relief. Neither signing a trade agreement nor stopping Russian oil purchases can protect it from future US action under Section 301, sectoral measures or other trade laws.India should recall, Washington has imposed new tariffs even after signing trade agreements with major partners such as the EU, Japan and South Korea, using Section 301 investigations, sectoral measures and other trade laws.India should not allow US tariff threats to determine its energy policy. Discounted Russian crude has lowered India’s import bill, strengthened energy security and helped contain inflation. India should continue buying Russian oil as long as it remains commercially competitive and negotiate firmly with Washington without granting unilateral trade concessions.The actual impact of new tariffs on Indian exports can be assessed only after the US announces the tariff rates, product coverage and implementation timetable.Ajay Srivastava is the founder of Global Trade Research Institute (GTRI).