Congress took strong exception to a US senator ‘s warning to India over its oil trade with Russia on Thursday.
Party MP Pawan Khera flagged the language used after Democratic senator Richard Blumenthal asked India to “clean up” its act.
The remark by US senator, who took a stern tone against countries buying oil from Russia, did not go down well with the opposition party. Earlier reporting noted: The act, which will grant the Trump administration the authority to place tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the five top purchasers of Russian oil and gas, was passed in the US House of Representatives by a 262-159 margin.
“What kind of language is being used for our country,” asked Khera in a post on X. Earlier reporting noted: ‘Russian oil buyers will have to pay’: US senator backs bill threatening higher tariffs on India As the US House of Representatives cleared a bill posing a threat of up to 100% tariffs on India, China and other countries, a senator backed the proposal, saying a “strong message” was needed for countries buying Russian oil. Earlier reporting noted: “We need to send a very strong message, not just to Vladimir Putin, but to anybody who is buying Russian oil and gas, that they are going to pay a price for that,” said Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen on Thursday after the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 bill cleared the House.
How India responded to Russia sanctions bill
India said it will take all necessary steps to protect its trade and economic interests after the US House of Representatives passed a sweeping sanctions bill on Russia, allowing the Trump administration to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian oil.
As US tariffs loom ahead, India said on Thursday that it would continue buying oil “through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics”.
The bill, which was cleared by a 262-159 vote, will now go to President Donald Trump for his signature.
