US Senator Lindsey Graham, Who Proposed 500% India Tariff, Dies At 71

US President Donald Trump has paid tribute to longtime ally and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died at the age of 71 following what his office described as a brief and sudden illness. Preliminary findings from the medical examiner indicated that Graham died from a rupture of his aorta shortly after returning from an official visit to Ukraine. Trump expressed shock at the senator's passing, recalling that the two had spoken only hours before his death and describing him as a dedicated public servant who would be greatly missed.

Speaking about their final conversation, Trump said Graham appeared energetic despite mentioning that he was tired after the long journey from Ukraine. The President said the senator had spoken enthusiastically about his visit and remained committed to advancing American interests. Trump described Graham as a "true American patriot" and said his sudden death was a devastating loss, noting that there had been no indication that he was seriously unwell during their conversation.

Graham served South Carolina in the US Congress for more than three decades after being elected to the Senate in 2002. Widely regarded as one of Washington's most influential foreign policy voices, he remained a strong supporter of Ukraine throughout the conflict with Russia. While maintaining a close political alliance with Trump during his second term, Graham frequently advocated robust US engagement overseas and consistently backed military and diplomatic support for American allies.

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The senator also attracted international attention for introducing the bipartisan Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 alongside Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. The proposed legislation called for tariffs of at least 500 per cent on countries purchasing Russian energy products, including petroleum, natural gas and uranium, if Moscow continued its war in Ukraine. Graham specifically named India, China and Brazil as major buyers of Russian energy, arguing that continued purchases helped finance Russia's military operations and should invite severe economic consequences.

Beyond Russia, Graham was a vocal supporter of policies aimed at increasing pressure on Iran and strengthening Israel's security. He backed US military action targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure and supported tougher measures against Tehran's missile and nuclear programmes. Graham also consistently defended Israel's military operations following the October 2023 Hamas attack, positions that earned him praise from Israeli leaders while drawing criticism from several countries and groups advocating diplomatic solutions in the Middle East.

Tributes poured in from leaders across the world following his death. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remembered Graham as a steadfast supporter of Ukraine who had visited the country numerous times since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described him as one of Israel's greatest friends and praised his lifelong commitment to the US-Israel alliance. Graham's death marks the end of a long political career that significantly influenced American foreign policy debates and international relations.

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