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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday (local time) that the Indian embassy and ambassador have been in touch with US Senator Lindsey Graham regarding the bill on Russia, and India will have to cross that bridge if it comes to it. While addressing a press conference in Washington, Jaishankar stated that India's concerns and interests on energy, security have been convyed to Graham.

We'll then have to cross that bridge: Jaishankar on tariff

When asked about US plans to impose 500 per cent tariffs on the import of Russian Oil, Jaishankar said, "Regarding Senator Lindsey Graham's bill, any development which is happening in the US Congress is of interest to us if it impacts our interest or could impact our interest. So, we have been in touch with Senator Graham. The Indian Embassy and the ambassador are in touch. Our concerns and our interests in energy and security have been conveyed to him. So, we'll then have to cross that bridge when we come to it, if we come to it."

500 per cent tariff on India

Graham's sanctions bill on Russia would impose a 500 per cent tariff on imports from any nation that purchases Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products, The Hill reported. The bill has over 80 co-sponsors in the Senate, potentially making it veto-proof.

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After the war erupted between Russia and Ukraine, the US and Western nations imposed sanctions on Moscow. However, India has continued to purchase Russian oil.

Earlier in May, Lindsey Graham said he is in touch with US President Donald Trump regarding the bill. Republican lawmakers have indicated they are worried about moving the bill but are waiting for approval from Trump before bringing the legislation to the floor.

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When asked whether Trump is giving instructions on when the bill will come to the floor, Graham stated, "We are separate entities coordinating with each other," The Hill reported.

Graham is proposing a carveout for his Russian sanctions bill to exclude nations that help Ukraine's defence, protecting them from a 500 per cent tariff for trading with Russia.

How Russia became India's "favorite" destination for oil purchase

It is worth mentioning that India was not on the list of the top oil trade partners of Russia before the conflict. Conventionally, India had used Middle East countries for its oil market purchases. However, following the Russia-Ukraine war and subsequent sanctions on Moscow, Putin offered massive discounts on oil. Since then, India has moved its reliance from the Middle East nations to Russia. Currently, data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air claims India was the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in May 2025.

Kremlin responds to US sanctions plans

The Kremlin said on Monday that it had taken note of comments made by Graham who is sponsoring a tough new sanctions bill on Russia and that its backers should consider its impact on efforts to reach a peace deal on Ukraine. Asked about Graham's comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Russia was aware of the US senator's stance and had taken note of his statement. "The senator's views are well known to us, they are well known to the whole world. He belongs to a group of inveterate Russophobes. If it were up to him, these sanctions would have been imposed long ago," said Peskov.

(With inputs from agency)