US Lawmaker Warns India, China Against Russian Oil as Tariff Concerns Rise After BRICS Summit

The 18th BRICS Summit 2026 was hosted by India in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026, where India, Russia and China were seen together. Days after the summit concluded, the United States has renewed pressure on India and China over their purchases of Russian oil, raising fresh concerns about tariffs.

US Senator Richard Blumenthal has advised India and China to source energy from countries other than Russia. His remarks come at a time when the US Congress has passed a major bill introducing new sanctions on Russia.

The legislation includes a provision for imposing steep tariffs on certain countries that purchase oil and gas from Russia. However, this does not mean that a 100 percent tariff has been immediately imposed on India. The law merely grants President Donald Trump the authority to impose such tariffs under certain circumstances.

What did Blumenthal say to India and China?

Senator Richard Blumenthal directly addressed India and China, saying both countries should source energy from alternatives rather than continuing to buy oil and gas from Russia.

His comments come amid wider US efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia. Blumenthal has been among the supporters of the legislation, and in July he had said that increasing pressure on buyers of Russian oil was a key objective of the law.

The US House of Representatives approved the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026' by a vote of 262–159. The Senate had earlier passed it by 86–11. The bill has now been sent to the President for his signature.

Could India face a 100 percent tariff?

Under the new law, countries that purchase crude oil or natural gas from Russia could face additional duties of up to 100 percent on their goods, with the provision aimed at targeting major importers of Russian oil.

The law also includes provisions for action against countries that help Russia evade sanctions. The US Trade Representative can review the status of relevant countries every 180 days. The bill also provides for sanctions on Russian officials, banks, the energy sector, and the so-called "shadow fleet," alongside a provision for tariffs of up to 500 percent on Russian goods.

What did India say?

India has made its position clear to the United States, stating that it will prioritise its energy needs. The Ministry of External Affairs said India is committed to ensuring energy security for its population of over 1.4 billion people, and will continue to source energy from diverse suppliers. It added that India will not act under pressure from any quarter, and noted that there have been high-level discussions with US officials on the issue in recent months.

Attention now turns to how the new law will be implemented — specifically, which countries the US administration acts against, and what impact this has on India's energy purchases.