External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly High Level Week in New York on 24 September 2026, discussing potential sanctions against countries trading with Russia and Iran, energy security, and developments in the Middle East. The meeting put the spotlight on the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA) of 2026, a newly enacted US law that has emerged as a significant point of economic and strategic friction between New Delhi and Washington.

SRIA and India's Concerns

Following the meeting, Jaishankar took to X to publicly signal India's position. 'Good to meet Secretary Marco Rubio of the US at UN High Level Week. Reiterated India's interests and concerns with regard to SRIA. Also discussed the Gulf and Ukraine situations,' he posted. The EAM's public reference to the SRIA was pointed — signalling that New Delhi is unwilling to stay silent on legislation it views as a direct challenge to its strategic autonomy and energy sourcing decisions.

The State Department's readout confirmed that 'the two also discussed sanctions that could be levelled against states that engage economically with Russia and Iran,' though it did not specify which countries could face action or identify the economic activities under scrutiny. Notably, the readout did not describe Jaishankar's response to the sanctions discussion.

US Energy Offer on the Table

The sanctions discussion was accompanied by what appeared to be an implicit alternative from Washington. 'The Secretary emphasised that the United States remains well-positioned to help regional partners address their energy security challenges,' the State Department said. The offer, however, came without details of any supply commitment, proposed agreement, or concrete energy arrangement — leaving the substance of the US pitch unclear.

This comes amid India's sustained reliance on discounted Russian crude since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, a trade relationship that has grown substantially and that the SRIA directly targets. India has consistently maintained that its energy procurement is driven by national interest and economic necessity.

Indo-Pacific Partnership Reaffirmed

Beyond the sanctions flashpoint, the two ministers reaffirmed the broader strategic relationship. The State Department noted that 'the two officials reaffirmed the important role the US-India Strategic Partnership continues to play in promoting a safe, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.' The two also exchanged views on Middle East developments, though the department did not identify specific conflicts or diplomatic proposals discussed.

The meeting underlines a recurring dynamic in India-US ties: deep convergence on the Indo-Pacific strategic framework sitting alongside persistent friction over India's independent posture on Russia and Iran.

What the Meeting Signals

The New York encounter is the latest in a series of high-level engagements where Washington has pressed New Delhi on its economic ties with Moscow, while India has consistently sought to separate its bilateral relationship with the US from its third-party dealings. Jaishankar's decision to publicly post about the SRIA — rather than let the State Department's anodyne readout stand — reflects India's preference for stating its position openly rather than absorbing pressure quietly.

With the SRIA now enacted and enforcement mechanisms potentially taking shape, the coming months will test how far Washington is prepared to push allies and partners — and how New Delhi balances strategic partnership with the United States against energy and economic interests that intersect with Russia and Iran.