Washington DC, July 14 -- The Trump administration has signalled its backing for a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that could subject India to steep new tariffs over its purchases of Russian oil, a White House official told ANI, days after the legislation's lead sponsor, Senator Lindsey Graham, died.

Responding to a query from ANI on whether President Trump would support the bill and whether India could face fresh penalties for buying Russian crude, a White House official said: "President Trump supports the bill."

The legislation, often referred to as the Sanctioning Russia Act, co-authored by Graham along with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, would give Trump the authority to impose a tariff of up to 500 per cent on imports from c...