‘US pressure mounts, Modi govt keeps giving in’: Mallikarjun Kharge on Russia sanctions bill

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressing the gathering during the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy Award 2026. File | Photo credit: PTI

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) said the threat of up to 100% US tariffs on Indian goods shows how the government’s foreign and trade policies have “failed miserably” and while pressure from Washington continues to mount, “Hey Modi keeps giving up on it”.

Mr Kharge’s remarks came after the US House of Representatives voted to advance a bill that would have empowered President Donald Trump to impose 100% tariffs on India and other countries for buying oil and gas from Russia and expand existing sanctions on Iran.

Reacting to the development, Mr Kharge said on X: “Narendra Modi ji, your dear friend ‘Abki Baar Trump Sarkar’ is dictating, capitulate and 140 million Indians must suffer the consequences! The threat of up to 100% US tariffs on Indian goods shows how miserably the Modi government’s foreign and trade policies have failed.”

“Pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, chemicals, auto components, gems and jewellery, electronics and technology could face a severe tariff shock,” Mr Kharge said.

“First came 25% tariffs, then 50% and now the threat of 100%. Meanwhile, the Modi government has agreed to a trade framework that expands American access to Indian agricultural products and stalls the interests of our farmers! The framework practically forces us to buy $500 billion worth of American goods over five years,” the Congress leader said.

“Yesterday’s capitulation on MDR on UPI is another clear example of your government’s meekness!” said Mr. Kharge.

“From tariffs and trade to H1B1 immigration, visas and digital payments, the pressure from Washington keeps mounting and you ‘Hi Modi ji’ keep giving in!” he added.

Earlier, Congress media and publicity chief Pawan Khera also hit out at the Modi government over the US bill.

“We don’t play ball with America and China. We are the ball,” he said on X.

The Lindsey O. Graham Russia-Iran Sanctions Act of 2026 cleared a procedural hurdle in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (September 15) evening after two Democratic lawmakers broke with the party and voted for the bill with Republicans.

A resolution to advance the Russia Sanctions Bill and a slew of other legislation was approved by a 214-211 vote. The bill is expected to come up for a final vote in the House later Wednesday (September 16).

Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on Monday (Sept. 13) opposed the Russia sanctions bill, arguing that it would give President Trump the unchecked power to impose tariffs without any restraints.

Last month, the US Senate passed the bill by an overwhelming 86-11 majority. The bill seeks to impose sanctions not only on Russia’s leadership and energy sector, but also on a “shadow fleet” of vessels that will allow Moscow to evade sanctions on oil supplies.

The vote on the bill comes as pro-Ukraine groups have stepped up efforts to lobby support for their cause.

The Ukraine Action Summit, organized by the American Coalition for Ukraine, is taking place here to lobby American lawmakers for continued support for Kyiv.

The US believes that Russia’s oil trade is financing the war against Ukraine. The bill also seeks to empower President Donald Trump to impose 100 percent tariffs on Russia’s major oil trading partners, including China and India.

The bill passed by the US Senate on August 7 does not name Russia’s trading partners, but lists the top five oil and gas importers by volume.

The bill must be approved by the House of Representatives before being sent to the president for signature. The House will go into early recess on Thursday and is expected to reconvene on Nov. 9 after the midterm elections.

Published – 16 Sep 2026 15:07 IST