Misri Raises Russia-Iran Sanctions Act Concerns with US Congressional Delegation

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met a bipartisan US Congressional delegation led by Representative Brian Mast, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on Sunday, as India continues its engagement with Washington over newly enacted sanctions legislation targeting buyers of Russian energy.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the discussions covered the full range of India-US relations, including the recently enacted Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA) and the future direction of the bilateral partnership. The two sides also exchanged views on international issues of mutual concern, energy security, counter-terrorism and freedom of navigation.

The legislation, associated with Senator Lindsey O Graham, creates a potential mechanism under which Washington could impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries that continue purchasing Russian energy. It does not, however, automatically impose such tariffs on Indian goods.

The meeting follows External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which he conveyed India's economic and strategic concerns about the legislation targeting buyers of Russian energy. Rubio indicated that while sanctions could apply to countries trading with Russia and Iran, the US would assist its regional partners on energy security.

India imports more than 88% of its crude oil requirements, with Russia accounting for nearly half of those imports.

On Friday, Misri held a series of meetings in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. He met US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, with the two agreeing to advance cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, including through Pax Silica, and to strengthen collaboration in semiconductors and critical minerals.

Misri also met Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, with discussions covering energy security, the recently enacted SRIA, civil nuclear cooperation, the TRUST initiative and the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture initiative.

Amid domestic discussions on diversifying energy sources, Jaishankar met Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia Gonzalez on the UNGA sidelines. He said energy ties between the two countries were gaining momentum alongside other areas of bilateral cooperation, and that current regional issues were also discussed.