Trump’s tariff decision may hurt India’s energy security, trade and economy: Congress

Randeep Singh Surjewala said India is a sovereign republic with the right to buy energy from any nation that suits India’s national interests and at a price its people can afford. File | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

The Congress party has termed US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 100% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil as an unauthorized move and warned that the move has serious implications for India’s energy security, economy and trade.

Congress Working Committee member and former Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala on Sunday (September 20, 2026) in separate statements warned against “giving in” to US dictates and stressed that it is the government’s sovereign duty to ensure affordable power to 140 million people.

“Unauthorized Action”

Mr Trump’s decision to sign the Lindsay Graham Bill into law, which authorizes him to impose 100% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, is a matter of serious concern, Mr Sharma said. “India is a major importer of Russian oil, accounting for more than half of its oil imports this year, as the US-Israeli attack on Iran and the conflict in West Asia have caused severe disruptions in oil and gas supplies worldwide and a sharp rise in oil and gas prices. This unwarranted measure has serious implications for India’s energy security, economy and trade,” he said.

“It is ironic that the US alone imports over $4 billion worth of uranium and fertilizers annually. These have been carefully kept outside the scope of the Graham Act. This is hypocrisy and a double standard,” he said, adding that the arbitrary targeting of strategic partner countries, including India, is unwarranted, unacceptable and reprehensible.

“Poor Surrender”

Mr. Surjewala said India is a sovereign republic with the right to purchase energy from any nation that suits India’s national interests and at a price its people can afford. “Our friendship with Washington does not make our national interest subservient to the demands of the White House under the watch of a weak BJP government. Ensuring affordable energy for 140 million people is our sovereign duty,” he said, adding that the sad story today is the “disgusting capitulation” by the Narendra Modi-led government at the expense of the Indian economy.

“After 12 years of ‘Vishwaguru’ rhetoric, the Modi government has failed to build the leverage needed to protect India from external economic pressure, nor has it shown the courage to stand on the same ground and stand up for our people and nation,” Surjewala said. He added that while private refiners have reaped billions from discounted Russian oil, the government has left the $86.5 billion export economy vulnerable to pressure from Washington.

Published – 20 Sep 2026 21:18 IST