EAM meets Rubio, raises concerns over US sanctions bill target Russia oil buyers

By Anjali Sharma
NEW YORK – External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Wednesday met his American counterpartUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York.

The newly signed law exposed several countries, including India and China, the two biggest buyers of the Russian energy products, to higher duties on their exports to the US.

Jaishankar raised concerns over the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA), 2026, which gives the country power to impose up to 100 per cent tariffs on countries buying oil and gas from Russia, during the meeting.

“Reiterated India’s interests and concerns with regard to SRIA,” Jaishankar said on X.

Both leaders also discussed the West Asia conflict and the Ukraine-Russia war.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that India is committed to ensure energy security for its people and continue to source its energy products from diverse sources based on the market dynamics.

“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 MEA said.

It is estimated that about 37 percent of Russia’s oil exports go to India.

Trump had imposed a 25 per cent tariff on India for buying Russian oil, but rescinded it in February.

Rubio, in his X post about their meeting, didn’t mention the SRIA discussions.

“Together, we are building on the US-India strategic partnership and coordinating on key regional priorities and upcoming multilateral efforts,” he said.

Jaishankar and Rubio meeting came on the eve of the scheduled meeting between President Donald Trump of the US and President Xi Jinping of China in Washington