United Nations — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised India’s concerns over recent U.S. legislation that could impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Wednesday.
Jaishankar said in a post on X after the meeting that he had “reiterated India’s interests and concerns with regard to SRIA,” referring to the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.
The legislation authorizes the U.S. president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas. India is among the major buyers that could be affected.
If imposed, the tariffs could affect Indian exports to the United States and complicate ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries.
Following passage of the legislation, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said, “India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people.”
“It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics,” the ministry said.
India accounts for an estimated 37% of Russia’s oil exports, according to the wire report.
Rubio did not mention the sanctions legislation in his public statement following the meeting.
“Together, we are building on the U.S.-India strategic partnership and coordinating on key regional priorities and upcoming multilateral efforts,” Rubio wrote on X.
Jaishankar said the two officials also “discussed the Gulf and Ukraine situations.”
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level week, where Jaishankar has been holding a series of meetings with world leaders and senior diplomats.
Tensions in the Gulf and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have had a significant impact on India, a major importer of oil from the region.
India and the United States also continue to cooperate in several other areas despite differences over trade and Russia. Both countries are members of the Quad along with Japan and Australia and have worked together on security and economic initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region.
At a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi in May, the countries reiterated cooperation on maritime security, port infrastructure and energy as concerns continued over China’s growing regional influence. (Source: IANS)
