U.S. Bill Amendment Calls Out India in New Russia Sanctions Framework

Washington lawmakers are moving to widen the scope of a recently passed sanctions package by specifically naming India. According to The Hindu, an amendment to the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act was introduced in the House of Representatives, urging the inclusion of Indian‑registered vessels that are alleged to be part of Moscow’s “shadow fleet.” The original bill cleared the Senate with an 86‑11 vote last month, targeting Russia’s political elite, its energy sector and the network of ships that help evade oil sanctions.

The proposed amendment would add India to the list of jurisdictions whose shipping assets could face secondary sanctions. While the text of the amendment has not been disclosed in full, its sponsors argue that several Indian‑flagged tankers have been identified as transporting oil for Russia, thereby undermining the efficacy of Western curbs. If adopted, the measure could compel Indian ship owners to obtain special licenses or risk having their vessels blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The move arrives amid growing frustration in Washington over perceived loopholes that allow Russia to continue exporting crude despite the sanctions regime. Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States and its allies have relied on a combination of financial bans, export controls and maritime restrictions to choke off revenue streams for Moscow. However, analysts note that a “shadow fleet” of older, often foreign‑registered ships has repeatedly slipped through enforcement gaps, delivering oil to countries that are not directly targeted.

India’s involvement in the global shipping market is extensive; it operates one of the world’s largest merchant fleets and is a key supplier of tankers to international trade. Historically, New Delhi has maintained a policy of strategic autonomy, balancing its energy needs with diplomatic ties to both the West and Russia. The inclusion of India in a U.S. sanctions bill could strain bilateral relations, prompting New Delhi to defend its commercial interests while navigating pressure from Washington to tighten oversight of its vessels.

If the amendment passes, it would mark a significant escalation in the United States’ effort to close sanction‑evasion channels. The next steps involve debate in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, followed by a floor vote. Regardless of the outcome, the proposal underscores the challenges of enforcing a comprehensive sanctions regime in a world where maritime trade is deeply interconnected.

The Hindu reported the Senate’s original vote and the amendment’s focus on India, highlighting the legislative push to broaden the reach of sanctions against Russia’s oil logistics network.