External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Jaishankar reiterated India’s interests and concerns regarding the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA), which proposes additional measures targeting countries purchasing Russian energy.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said he also discussed the Gulf and Ukraine situations with Rubio.
The discussions come amid India’s efforts to safeguard its economic and strategic interests while ensuring energy security against the backdrop of evolving geopolitical developments.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 would expand sanctions and trade restrictions relating to Russia and extend existing economic penalties on Iran, according to the details cited in the report.
The legislation includes provisions concerning Russia’s petroleum and military sectors, Russian officials and financial institutions, as well as vessels identified as part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
For India, the legislation could provide the US executive branch with authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports from countries purchasing Russian energy, subject to specified statutory conditions and further action.
The report notes that the legislation itself does not automatically impose a 100 per cent tariff on Indian goods. Such tariffs would require the legislation to be enacted and subsequently invoked by the US President under the specified provisions.
India and China are among the major purchasers of Russian crude, making energy trade with Russia an important issue in discussions surrounding the legislation.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated that the country remains committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing and evolving market dynamics.
India and the US are also continuing negotiations towards a bilateral trade agreement, with further discussions expected on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers’ meeting in Wisconsin later this month.
-ANI
