What is the common examiner trap about Intl. Relations in UPSC exams?

Examiners may confuse 'de-risking' with 'decoupling' or swap the targeted countries (e.g., include European allies as targets). They may also ask about the GSP end date (2017) vs the new 2026 Act.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Intl. Relations for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: 100% tariff on goods from top 5 Russian oil buyers 2. Target this Act: Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 2026 3. Target this Organization: BRICS Summit hosted by India

International RelationsEconomy

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News 6 of 21

US Congress Votes to Sanction Top Russian Oil Buyers Including India; Trump Gets Tariff Power

Q: Which of the following is the correct description of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) mentioned in the article?

A preferential tariff system allowing developing countries to export goods to developed countries at reduced tariffs, The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is a preferential tariff system providing for a formal waiver of the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) principle. It enables developing countries to export goods to developed countries at reduced or zero tariffs, as was the case between India and the US before 2017.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 2026: 1. The Act authorizes the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas. 2. The Act specifically exempts all European allies from its provisions. 3. The five targeted countries include China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as the Act authorizes up to 100% tariffs on the top five buyers. Statement 2 is incorrect because the exemption is for 'America's European allies' on the pretext of reducing consumption, not all European allies. Statement 3 is correct as the five countries listed are China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan.

Q: According to the article, what is the maximum tariff percentage that the US President is authorized to impose on goods from the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas under the new Act?

100%, The article explicitly states that the Act authorizes the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods from the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas. The other percentages are distractors.

Q: What is the primary strategic shift advocated for India in the context of the US sanctions on Russian oil buyers?

To pursue a policy of 'de-risking' from both the US and China, The article argues that India's strategy should be one of 'de-risking' from both the US and China, not decoupling from either. This involves diversifying dependencies in defence, energy, trade, and manpower to reduce vulnerabilities while maintaining essential economic links.

Intl. Relations Economy Security & DefenceCORE

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

20 Sept 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:100% tariffLindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 20262017 (GSP ended)April 27, 2023 (Sullivan speech)

Bodies:US CongressWhite HouseBRICSBrookings Institution

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.The US Congress overwhelmingly passed a law authorizing up to 100% tariffs on top five Russian oil buyers: China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan.

2.India's strategy is now one of 'de-risking' from both the US and China, managing one major power in decline and another on the rise.

3.The article argues that while 'de-Americanisation' has limits due to strong economic and people-to-people ties, the era of strategic trust with the US is over.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

The US Congress has passed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 2026, authorizing the US President to impose up to 100% tariffs on goods from the five largest purchasers of Russian oil, including India. This move intensifies geoeconomic pressure on India, forcing a strategic shift towards 'de-risking' from both the US and China, rather than 'decoupling' from either.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Act NameLindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 2026

Max Tariff Authorized100% on goods from top 5 Russian oil buyers

Top 5 Buyers TargetedChina, India, Slovakia, Hungary, Azerbaijan

Key US Official (De-risking term)Jake Sullivan (NSA) at Brookings, April 27, 2023

US Treasury Secretary (Decoupling caution)Janet Yellen

1-Minute Revision

›Act Name: Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 2026
›Max Tariff Authorized: 100% on goods from top 5 Russian oil buyers
›Target this Data: 100% tariff on goods from top 5 Russian oil buyers
›Target this Act: Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 2026
›Target this Organization: BRICS Summit hosted by India

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News Snapshot

📜

New US Sanctions Law

The Lindsey O Graham Act authorizes 100% tariffs on goods from the top five Russian oil and gas purchasers.

🔄

India's De-risking Strategy

India is now pursuing a policy of de-risking from both the US and China, avoiding full decoupling from either.

⚖️

End of Strategic Trust

The article states that trust in the US relationship, built after the Civil Nuclear Agreement, is now gone under President Trump.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The US has escalated its campaign against countries buying Russian oil. The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 2026, passed overwhelmingly by Congress, targets the five largest purchasers: China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan. European allies are exempted on the pretext of reducing their own consumption. This builds on previous US actions against India since 2017, including ending the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and raising tariffs.

Core Analysis & Implications

India faces a twin challenge: managing a declining major power (US) and a rising one (China). The article argues that 'de-Americanisation' has limits due to deep economic, business, and people-to-people links. The US remains a critical export market and destination for Indian diaspora. However, the erosion of trust, especially after the Trump administration, means India must reduce strategic dependence on the US, while also de-risking from China. India's hosting of the BRICS Summit with Xi Jinping and Putin is cited as a message to Western critics.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

India will continue to diversify its external dependencies across defence, energy, trade, and manpower. The growing defence partnership with France, Japan, the UK, Sweden, and others, combined with India's 'atmanirbharata' (self-reliance) policy, can reduce dependence on the US, Russia, and Israel. The article concludes that while India cannot afford to decouple from either the US or China, it must actively de-risk from both to protect its national interest.

Key Facts at a Glance

Act NameLindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 2026

Max Tariff Authorized100% on goods from top 5 Russian oil buyers

Top 5 Buyers TargetedChina, India, Slovakia, Hungary, Azerbaijan

Key US Official (De-risking term)Jake Sullivan (NSA) at Brookings, April 27, 2023

US Treasury Secretary (Decoupling caution)Janet Yellen

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, Banking

Which of the following is the correct description of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) mentioned in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 2026:

1. The Act authorizes the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas.

2. The Act specifically exempts all European allies from its provisions.

3. The five targeted countries include China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

According to the article, what is the maximum tariff percentage that the US President is authorized to impose on goods from the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas under the new Act?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

What is the primary strategic shift advocated for India in the context of the US sanctions on Russian oil buyers?

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US Congress Votes to Sanction Top Russian Oil Buyers Including India; Trump Gets Tariff Power

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

New US Sanctions Law

India's De-risking Strategy

End of Strategic Trust

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance