Misri Meets U.S. Congressional Delegation as Russia Sanctions Law Raises Concerns

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met a five-member Congressional Delegation led by U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee chair Brian Mast on Sunday, days after the U.S. Congress passed a law that could expose India to sanctions over its purchases of Russian crude oil.

The delegation included Jimmy Patronis, a co-sponsor of the Bill, Republican representative James Gallagher and Democrat Hailey Stevens, both of whom voted in favour, and Shri Thanedar, an Indian-born U.S. lawmaker who opposed it.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctions against Russia and Iran Act (SRIA), cleared by Congress on September 16, requires U.S. President Donald Trump to impose sanctions of up to 100% on countries that buy Russian oil, and extends sanctions on trade with Iran. A decision on what measures, if any, would apply to India is expected next month, with a 30-day deadline pending. Officials did not say whether Mr. Misri sought or received assurances on a waiver, which can be granted under certain conditions.

The meeting followed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York, where India's concerns over possible sanctions were raised, and discussions between Mr. Misri and U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the discussions at Mr. Misri's residence covered the full range of India-U.S. relations, including the newly enacted SRIA legislation and the future direction of the relationship. The two sides also exchanged views on international issues of mutual concern, energy security, counter-terrorism and freedom of navigation.

Mr. Mast, an Army veteran who lost both legs in a 2010 blast in Kandahar, focuses on counter-terrorism and has an interest in South Asia. During the India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025, he said he had spoken to both sides and urged de-escalation after India's strikes on Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attacks. He has advocated sanctions on Russia and supports secondary sanctions now proposed against China and India, major buyers of Russian oil, and has criticised China over military supplies to Russia during the war in Ukraine.

Mr. Thanedar was the only delegation member to vote against the Bill, one of five Indian-Americans who opposed it, largely over concerns about the powers it would grant the U.S. President.