External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on September 23 on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session. During the meeting, Jaishankar said he reiterated India’s interests and concerns regarding the US Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA). The two officials also discussed developments in the Gulf and Ukraine.The meeting comes days after US President Donald Trump signed the new Russia sanctions legislation, which gives the US administration authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas. The legislation does not mean that a 100% tariff has automatically been imposed on India.Key HighlightsS Jaishankar met Marco Rubio in New York during UNGA 2026.Jaishankar raised India’s concerns over the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act.The two discussed the Gulf and Ukraine.The US legislation gives the administration authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on certain countries buying Russian energy.India has previously highlighted concerns over energy security and the possible impact on India-US relations.Rubio said the US and India are coordinating on regional priorities and upcoming multilateral engagements.Jaishankar Raises India’s Concerns Over Russia SanctionsFollowing the meeting, Jaishankar posted on X that he had reiterated India’s “interests and concerns” regarding SRIA. He also said the Gulf and Ukraine situations were discussed.The meeting was held as India continues to monitor the potential economic and energy implications of the new US legislation.The Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, also referred to as SRIA, expands the US administration’s ability to impose sanctions and other economic measures connected to Russia and Iran. The legislation has particular significance for countries that continue to purchase Russian energy.What Does the New US-Russia Sanctions Law Mean for India?The legislation gives the US President authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas. India and China are among the major buyers of Russian crude.However, the authority to impose tariffs is different from an automatic tariff being applied. Whether and how the provisions are used remains a matter for the US administration.India has maintained that its energy policy is linked to the need to ensure energy security and diversified supplies. The new legislation therefore remains an important issue in India-US discussions.Rubio and Jaishankar Discuss Gulf and UkraineApart from the sanctions issue, Jaishankar said the two sides discussed the situations in the Gulf and Ukraine.The US State Department said Rubio and Jaishankar exchanged views on developments in the Middle East and beyond. It also said they discussed possible sanctions involving countries engaged economically with Russia and Iran, while Rubio emphasised the US role in helping regional partners address energy security challenges.The Ukraine conflict was also part of the discussion. US State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott said Washington wants a durable peace between the parties and discussed the broader role of countries supporting Russia.India-US Relations Remain a Key FocusRubio described the meeting as part of efforts to build on the US-India strategic partnership. He said both countries were coordinating on regional priorities and upcoming multilateral engagements.The talks also come as India and the US continue discussions on trade and broader economic relations. The sanctions issue adds another layer to the relationship because of India's continued energy ties with Russia.Jaishankar is leading India's delegation at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, where international security, energy, trade and ongoing conflicts are among the major issues under discussion.What Happens Next?The Jaishankar-Rubio meeting provides another channel for India and the US to discuss the implications of the new Russia sanctions law.For India, the key issues include energy security, the impact of potential US trade measures and the broader India-US strategic partnership. The actual use of the tariff provisions will depend on decisions by the US administration.Meanwhile, both countries are continuing engagement on the Gulf, Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific and other regional and multilateral priorities.
