India’s EAM S Jaishankar raised concerns over the US Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York, amid potential 100% tariffs on Russian oil buyers, India-US trade negotiations, energy security, and discussions on Ukraine and Gulf tensions.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised India’s concerns over the recently enacted US Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA) during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Wednesday, as the two countries continue discussions on trade, energy and wider strategic cooperation.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Jaishankar said after the meeting that he had reiterated India’s “interests and concerns” regarding SRIA and that the two sides also discussed the situations in the Gulf and Ukraine.
The legislation, formally known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, gives US President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports from countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas under conditions specified by the law. The provision does not automatically impose a 100 per cent tariff, but creates a legal mechanism for such tariffs to be imposed. India and China, among the largest buyers of Russian crude, could be affected if the authority is exercised.
The law was signed by Trump last week after passing through both chambers of Congress. Reuters reported that the legislation expands economic pressure on Russia’s energy and defence sectors and provides the US administration with additional tariff powers targeting major purchasers of Russian energy.
For India, the issue has implications for both energy security and bilateral trade. New Delhi has maintained that its energy procurement decisions are guided by national requirements and market conditions. The Ministry of External Affairs has said India will take necessary steps to protect its economic interests while ensuring energy security.
India is a major importer of Russian crude, and any future US tariff action under the legislation could affect Indian goods entering the American market. The issue also comes at a time when New Delhi and Washington have been working toward an interim trade agreement. The two countries have been negotiating issues involving tariffs and market access, making the potential use of the new tariff authority an important concern for bilateral economic relations.
Rubio, in his public message following the meeting, did not specifically mention SRIA. Instead, he said the United States and India were continuing to build on their strategic partnership and coordinate on key regional priorities and upcoming multilateral efforts. His statement highlighted the broader nature of the bilateral relationship beyond the immediate economic disagreements.
The two ministers also discussed developments in the Gulf and Ukraine. The Gulf situation has particular significance for India because the country remains heavily dependent on imported crude oil, including supplies from the Middle East. Any disruption to shipping routes or energy supplies in the region can affect international oil markets and create additional pressure on major importing economies.
The Ukraine conflict was another important subject of discussion. India has maintained diplomatic engagement with both Russia and Western countries while calling for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also publicly urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to work toward ending the war.
Jaishankar’s meeting with Rubio was part of a series of diplomatic engagements during his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly. The discussions come as India and the United States seek to maintain cooperation across trade, defence, energy, technology and regional security despite differences over Russian energy purchases and tariff policy.
The broader strategic partnership between the two countries also includes cooperation through the Quad, which brings together India, the United States, Japan and Australia. The four countries have been working on areas including maritime security, infrastructure, energy and regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
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The latest Jaishankar-Rubio meeting therefore highlighted the multiple dimensions of India-US relations, with economic concerns surrounding SRIA being discussed alongside cooperation on regional and global issues. For India, the focus remains on protecting its economic interests and maintaining energy security while continuing engagement with Washington on trade and strategic priorities.
