New Delhi: India must reject the latest US tariff measures to protect its sovereign independence and suspend the signing of an "unequal" trade agreement with Washington until all outstanding issues are addressed, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said on Sunday.

In an official statement, Sharma warned that the Lindsey Graham Act, enacted into law by US President Donald Trump, carries severe ramifications for India's energy security, national economy, and international commerce.

The statute, which authorises Trump to levy tariffs of up to 100 per cent on nations purchasing Russian energy, represents a matter of "grave concern," Sharma said.

The former Commerce and Industry Minister pointed out that India remains a major importer of Russian crude, which has accounted for over half of its crude petroleum imports this year after US-Israeli strikes on Iran severely disrupted global oil and gas supplies and drove prices upward.

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"This unjustified action has serious implications for India's energy security, Economy and trade," Sharma said.

"The arbitrary targeting of strategic partner countries, including India, is unjustified, unacceptable and condemnable. It is also selective and discriminatory, as US will not be imposing it on Turkey, Hungary and Slovakia, who are NATO members and supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia," Sharma stated.

"India must firmly reject any such imposition and defend its sovereign independence of trading and economic cooperation with its partner countries. We should put on hold signing of an unequal trade deal with US until the tariff issues are fully resolved," the former Union minister added.

Sharma characterised the fresh levies as punitive, noting they apply over and above pre-existing duties enforced under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 and the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

"President Trump's Tariff regime and action violate US own International commitments and undertakings as a member of WTO. It also undermines the principle of sovereignty and equality.

"It is Ironic that US itself is annually importing Uranium and fertilisers valuing over four billion US Dollars. These have been carefully kept out of the ambit of Graham Act. This is hypocrisy and double standards," the Congress leader remarked.

Trump signed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act into law on Friday, establishing steep tariffs aimed at Moscow and its key energy importers, including China and India.

According to White House officials, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 expands statutory sanctions, trade duties, and prohibitions on Russian energy and trade networks whilst extending existing sanctions targeting Iran.

The measure cleared the House of Representatives on Wednesday, incorporating sanctions aimed at Russia's political leadership, energy sector, defence industry partners, and maritime "shadow fleet".

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The statute empowers Trump to apply tariffs of up to 100 per cent on foreign nations importing Russian oil and natural gas, directly encompassing major purchasers like China and India.

The legal framework grants the executive branch broad discretion over implementation, including selecting target nations, setting duty rates, and issuing national interest waivers.

The provisions take effect within 30 days of presidential signing, requiring the administration to levy duties of up to 100 per cent on imports from countries ranked among the top five purchasers of Russian crude oil or natural gas by total volume over the preceding 12-month period.

PTI