India, US discuss Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act

India and the US have discussed "sanctions" that could be levelled against countries that engage economically with Russia and Iran, with Washington saying it remains well-positioned to help regional partners address their energy security challenges. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New York Wednesday on the margins of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. Rubio and Jaishankar "exchanged views on developments in the Middle East and beyond. The two also discussed sanctions that could be leveled against states that engage economically with Russia and Iran. The Secretary emphasized that the United States remains well-positioned to help regional partners address their energy security challenges," a statement from the US State Department said.
During the meeting, Jaishankar reiterated India’s interests and concerns regarding the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA), which proposes additional measures targeting countries purchasing Russian energy. In a post on X, Jaishankar said he also discussed the Gulf and Ukraine situations with Rubio. The discussions come amid India’s efforts to safeguard its economic and strategic interests while ensuring energy security against the backdrop of evolving geopolitical developments.