Lindsey Graham, the senior United States Senator from South Carolina, has recently been in the news for his strong criticism of India's continued purchase of Russian oil. His remarks have sparked controversy amidst existing trade tensions between the US and India.

Lindsey Olin Graham was born on July 9, 1955. He has served as a US Senator since 2003. Before his time in the Senate, Graham served in the U.S. House of Representatives for South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District from 1995 to 2003 and in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1993 to 1995.

Graham has a long history of military service. He served in the United States Air Force from 1982 to 1988 and then in the South Carolina Air National Guard from 1989 to 1995. He has also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, retiring in 2015 with the rank of Colonel. During the first Gulf War, he was called to active duty, serving as Staff Judge Advocate at McEntire Air National Guard Base.

In the Senate, Graham has earned a reputation as a conservative and a problem-solver. He is known for his strong stance on national security and is considered a defense hawk, advocating for an interventionist foreign policy. He has served on several committees, including the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he was chairman from 2019 to 2021, and currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.

Graham's recent criticism of India stems from his belief that by purchasing Russian oil, India, along with China and Brazil, is "propping up Putin's war machine" and funding the war in Ukraine. Following deadly Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, Graham directly linked these purchases to the killing of innocent civilians, including children. He warned of consequences for countries buying discounted Russian crude, suggesting that these oil revenues are directly contributing to Russia's war efforts.

This isn't the first time Graham has voiced such concerns. He has repeatedly stated that countries continuing to buy Russian oil would face repercussions. In July 2025, he warned that then President Trump would impose steep tariffs on countries like India if they continued to import Russian oil. He even suggested a 100% tariff to "crush" their economies, arguing that they were prioritizing financial gains over global security.

Graham's stance aligns with his broader foreign policy views and his support for aggressive measures to counter Russia's actions in Ukraine. He believes that cutting off Russia's oil and gas revenue is crucial to ending the conflict, even if it means straining relationships with countries like India. He has also stated that India, China, and Brazil must choose between the Russian gas and US economy.

These recent remarks come amid increasing trade tensions between the US and India. The US has recently imposed higher tariffs on Indian goods, which India has rejected as "unjustified and unreasonable". Some analysts suggest that Graham's criticism and the tariff measures reflect a growing frustration in Washington with India's neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.