Congress hits back at Trump over new sanctions on Russia, Iran

The Indian National Congress on Saturday condemned US President Donald Trump's signing of legislation imposing fresh sanctions on Russia and Iran, warning that such coercive measures require forceful resistance.

AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh made the remarks after Trump signed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on Friday. "The only way to counter a bully is to resist him forcefully," Ramesh said in a social media post.

The legislation, formally designated as H.R. 5334 and named after Senator Lindsey Graham, expands statutory sanctions and tariffs while targeting Russia's energy sector, leadership, and defence industry collaborators. The Act also incorporates restrictions on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" and extends existing sanctions on Iran.

India stands among the major energy buyers potentially affected by the tariff measures embedded in the legislation. The House of Representatives passed the bill on Wednesday, paving the way for presidential approval.

The Congress party's sharp rebuke reflects growing concerns in New Delhi about the extraterritorial reach of US sanctions and their impact on India's energy security and economic interests in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.