‘U.S. pressure mounts, Modi govt keeps surrendering’: Mallikarjun Kharge on Russia sanctions bill
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has criticized the Indian government's foreign and trade policies following a U.S. bill that threatens 100% tariffs on Indian goods. Kharge argues that the Modi administration is failing to protect Indian interests against U.S. pressure regarding trade and energy imports from Russia.
Why it matters
This reflects the escalating geopolitical and economic friction between India and the U.S. over trade protectionism and international sanctions.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) said the threat of up to 100% U.S. tariffs on Indian goods shows how the government's foreign and trade policies have "miserably failed" and while the pressure from Washington keeps mounting, "Howdy Modi ji keeps surrendering".
Mr. Kharge's remarks came after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to advance a bill that would authorise President Donald Trump to impose 100% tariffs on India and other countries for buying oil and gas from Russia and extend existing sanctions on Iran.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Kharge said on X, "Narendra Modi ji, your dear friend 'Abki Baar Trump Sarkar' dictates, you capitulate and 140 crore Indians are left to bear the consequences! The threat of up to 100% U.S. tariffs on Indian goods shows how the Modi govt's foreign and trade policies have miserably failed."
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