Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - The US Senate has advanced a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could let President Donald Trump impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China. The measure also broadens pressure on Moscow by adding new sanctions linked to Russia’s energy and financial sectors.

The revised bill is aimed at the five biggest purchasers of Russian crude and gas, with India and China among the countries most exposed. It would also give Trump authority to impose a far larger 500% tariff on Russian goods entering the US, while allowing him to waive sanctions if he decides that doing so serves the national interest.

Lawmakers backing the bill say the goal is to weaken Russia’s wartime economy and reduce the flow of money supporting the Kremlin’s military campaign. The legislation also extends sanctions pressure to Iran, reflecting a broader effort by Congress to tighten economic restrictions on US adversaries at the same time.

For India, the proposal is significant because Russian oil has become a major source of supply, and any tariff action could affect trade costs and energy buying decisions. The bill is not yet final law, but Senate approval marks a major step and signals that the issue is being treated as a serious foreign-policy lever.

If the bill becomes law in its current form, Washington would have a powerful new tool to punish countries still buying Russian energy. For now, India and China are watching closely because the eventual tariff decision could reshape trade, energy markets and diplomatic ties.