The US Senate has passed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China, if the legislation becomes law.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 cleared the Senate in an 86-11 vote on Friday, marking a major step for legislation aimed at cutting Russia's energy revenues and increasing pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine.

The measure now moves to the US House of Representatives, which is expected to consider it after returning from its summer recess on August 31. It would still need to clear the House and be signed by Trump before becoming law.

What the bill means for India

The most consequential provision for India and China is the tariff authority included in the legislation.

If enacted, the bill would allow Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imported goods from countries that are major consumers of Russian energy. The measure limits the tariff provision to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, as well as the top five countries involved in helping Russia evade energy sanctions.

Reporting on the legislation identified China, India, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan as the five largest purchasers of Russian crude oil in 2025.

However, the bill does not mean India or China will automatically face a 100 per cent tariff. It gives the US president the authority to impose tariffs of up to that level, leaving the decision on whether and how to use the power to the administration.

The legislation also contains provisions allowing the president to lift such measures at his discretion.

Russia sanctions go beyond oil buyers

The bill is broader than the proposed tariffs on Russian energy buyers.

It would impose sanctions targeting Russian officials and other actors supporting Moscow, while also targeting Russian banks and financial institutions, oligarchs.

The legislation is intended to increase the economic cost of Russia's war in Ukraine by targeting the energy trade that provides revenue to Moscow.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal had championed the bill. Graham died suddenly on July 11 after travelling to Kyiv, and the legislation was subsequently renamed in his honour.

Graham's sister, Darline Graham, who was appointed to fill his Senate seat, read out the final vote tally following Friday's vote. The chamber responded with applause.

Blumenthal, who worked with Graham on the legislation, said after the vote that Graham would be "proud of what we've done".

Iran sanctions also extended

Alongside the Russia measures, the bill contains provisions concerning Iran.

It seeks to prevent the lapse of existing sanctions authority covering Iranian energy and weapons funding, extending the relevant sanctions framework beyond its current expiration.

House battle could determine its fate

Despite the strong bipartisan Senate vote, the legislation faces opposition in the House over the tariff powers it would give Trump.

Democratic Representatives Gregory Meeks and Don Beyer have raised concerns that the bill would provide the president with broad new tariff authority that could be used beyond its stated purpose.

They said they supported efforts to pressure Russia and support Ukraine but argued that the tariff provisions could result in higher costs for American importers and consumers.

The House is expected to take up the bill after August 31, when lawmakers return from their summer recess.

With PTI inputs