US amendment could name India for 100% tariff over Russian oil

A proposed amendment to a major U.S. sanctions bill could explicitly name India among countries facing 100% tariffs for purchasing Russian oil, marking a significant shift from the Senate-passed version of the legislation. The amendment, submitted by Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer, lists India, China, and eight other nations as eligible for the steep duties, which are part of a broader package targeting Russia's energy sector and leadership. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act passed the Senate on August 7 with an 86-11 vote. That version does not name specific countries but refers to the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas by volume, a description widely understood to include India and China. The bill now faces a tight deadline in the House of Representatives, with only four working days remaining before lawmakers break for an early recess ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Hoyer's amendment seeks to replace the general language with a direct list of countries: India, China, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic.