• Source:JND
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US Senator Lindsey Graham has once again threatened India, Brazil and China for purchasing "cheap oil" from Russia, dubbing it "blood money" that kept the Russian war machine running despite punitive sanctions imposed by the West and the European Union.

"I would tell China, India and Brazil. If you keep buying cheap Russian oil, to allow this war to continue, we will tariff the hell out of you.And we’re going to crush your economy, because what you are doing is blood money," Graham said, in a conversation with Fox News.

US's senator constant warnings 

Though this was not the first time Graham openly threatened the trio for buying Russian oil at discounted rates. Earlier this month, in an interview with ABC News, Graham claimed that US President Donald Trump agreed to bring a tough new sanctions bill on Russia to a vote. Graham, who is sponsoring the bill, called this development a "big breakthrough" that could pressure Putin to negotiate on Ukraine.

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The bill proposes a 500 per cent tariff on products from countries buying Russian goods without supporting Ukraine, targeting nations like India and China that purchase a significant portion of Russia's oil. Graham emphasised that Trump retains the authority to waive the sanctions or veto the bill if it passes Congress. With 84 co-sponsors backing the bill, Graham expressed confidence in its passage, describing it as an "economic bunker buster" against Russia, China, and India.

Graham, however, stressed that Trump had a waiver and could decide whether or not to sign it into law if and when it passes Congress.

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 Eastern 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.

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It is estimated that India purchased fossil fuels worth €4.2 billion from Russia in May, with crude oil amounting to 72 per cent of the total. Several times, the US and Europe pointed out India's oil trade surge with Russia. India, in return, said it prioritises its national interest. However, if Trump invoked a 500 per cent tariff on Russian oil, it would force New Delhi to look for alternatives.

Jaishankar had responded to Graham's warning

Earlier during his visit to the US, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the Indian embassy and ambassador have been in touch with 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 and security have been conveyed to Graham.

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."