India could face a tariff of up to 100 per cent under a US bill targeting countries that continue to buy oil and gas from Russia, after the legislation cleared a procedural hurdle in the US House of Representatives.

The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was advanced by the House on Tuesday evening in a 214-211 vote. The bill is expected to face a final House vote on Wednesday.

If passed by the House and subsequently signed by President Donald Trump, the legislation would authorise the US president to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Russia’s major oil-trading partners, including India and China.

However, no new 100 per cent tariff on India has been imposed under this bill at this stage. The legislation still has to clear the House and then be sent to the President for his signature.

What the Russia sanctions bill proposes

The bill seeks to impose additional sanctions on Russia’s leadership and energy sector. It also targets the so-called “shadow fleet” of vessels used to help Moscow circumvent sanctions linked to oil deliveries.

The legislation would give President Trump authority to impose 100 per cent tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.

The US argues that revenue from Russia’s crude oil trade is helping finance the war in Ukraine.

Bill already passed US Senate

The US Senate passed the legislation on August 7 with an 86-11 vote.

The Senate version does not specifically name Russia’s trading partners. Instead, it refers to the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas by volume.

The House legislation is now moving through the lower chamber, where lawmakers are expected to hold the final vote before the chamber begins an early recess on Thursday.

Why India is facing tariff risk

India is among the major purchasers of Russian oil and gas. The proposed legislation seeks to give the US President the authority to impose tariffs on countries that continue such purchases.

The measure comes as groups supporting Ukraine have increased lobbying efforts among US lawmakers. The Ukraine Action Summit, organised by the American Coalition for Ukraine, is also taking place in Washington.

Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has opposed the bill. He argued that it could give President Trump broad authority to impose tariffs without sufficient safeguards.

What happens next

The House is expected to take up the bill for a final vote on Wednesday. If it passes, the legislation would then be sent to President Trump for his signature.

The House is scheduled to begin an early recess on Thursday and is expected to reconvene on November 9 after the US midterm elections.

For now, the key point is that India faces a potential 100 per cent tariff under the proposed legislation, but the tariff has not yet been imposed as a result of this bill.

A new charging framework for certain UPI merchant payments above Rs 2,000 will come into effect from October 15, 2026. However, consumers will continue to use UPI without paying the new charges.

The new UPI Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework applies to payments made by consumers to merchants. Under the framework, a 0.4% charge will be levied on eligible merchant transactions above Rs 2,000. The charge will not be passed on to customers, according to the Finance Ministry.

Which UPI transactions will attract charges?

The new framework covers person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions above Rs 2,000. Payments between individuals, or person-to-person (P2P) transactions, will remain free irrespective of the transaction amount.

P2M transactions up to Rs 2,000 will also remain outside the scope of MDR.

For certain merchant categories, including railways, telecom services, insurance and fuel, a flat charge of Rs 5 will apply to UPI payments above Rs 2,000.

Consumers will not have to pay the new fee

The new charges are applicable to merchants and are not meant to be added to the amount paid by customers.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) said consumers will continue to transact using UPI free of cost. This means that sending money to another person through UPI will remain free, while eligible merchant transactions above Rs 2,000 will come under the new MDR framework.

New UPI framework starts October 15

The revised MDR framework will become effective from October 15, 2026. The changes introduce charges for specified merchant transactions while keeping person-to-person payments and smaller merchant payments outside the MDR framework.

The BJP has named Hasirani Rath as its candidate for the Nandigram Assembly by-election in West Bengal, ending speculation over who would contest the politically significant seat.

Hasirani Rath is the mother of late Chandranath Rath, who had served as a personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. She is scheduled to file her nomination papers in the presence of Adhikari.

The BJP has also nominated Shakharav Sarkar for the Rejinagar Assembly constituency. The by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar are scheduled for October 6, while September 16 is the last date for filing nominations.

BJP picks Chandranath Rath’s mother

Chandranath Rath, a native of Chandipur in East Midnapore, had worked as Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant. He was killed on May 6, two days after the West Bengal Assembly election results were declared.

According to the report, Chandranath Rath was shot at close range by motorcycle-borne attackers in Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas while he was riding pillion. The rider accompanying him was also injured.

After the incident, Suvendu Adhikari met Chandranath Rath’s family and assured them of justice. Hasirani Rath has since continued to express her faith in Adhikari.

Local residents had earlier demanded that Hasirani Rath be fielded from Nandigram. The BJP has now formally nominated her for the constituency, which is listed as Assembly Constituency No. 210.

Hasirani Rath’s political background

Hasirani Rath comes from a middle-class background and has been associated with politics since 1998. She has previously contested panchayat elections and served as a panchayat member for two terms.

Her nomination puts a grassroots political figure at the centre of the BJP’s campaign in Nandigram. The move also follows the party’s recent selection of candidates with personal connections to politically significant events in West Bengal.

Nandigram bypoll on October 6

The Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly by-elections will be held on October 6, with the nomination process set to close on September 16.

Hasirani Rath said she would accept the responsibility assigned to her by the BJP. She also referred to Suvendu Adhikari as her guardian while speaking about her candidature.

The Nandigram contest is particularly significant for the BJP as the seat was previously held by Suvendu Adhikari, who retained another constituency after winning both seats in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election.