Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Sunday met a bipartisan US Congressional delegation led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Representative Brian Mast in New York, with wide-ranging discussions covering bilateral ties, the recently enacted Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA), energy security, counter-terrorism, and freedom of navigation.

Key Developments

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that talks covered 'the entire gamut of India–US relations, including the recently enacted SRIA legislation and the future trajectory of the relationship.' The delegation included Representative Shri Thanedar and other US lawmakers. Both sides also exchanged views on international issues of mutual concern, reflecting the depth of the India–US strategic partnership.

Misri's Meetings with US State Department Officials

Separately, Misri held a meeting with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker in New York on Thursday, where discussions spanned energy security, the SRIA, civil nuclear cooperation, the Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology (TRUST) initiative, and the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture initiative. Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra and other officials were present.

Misri also met US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg in New York. The MEA stated that both sides 'agreed to further advance India-US cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, including through the Pax Silica initiative, and strengthen supply-chain resilience through cooperation in semiconductors and critical minerals.'

Rubio-Jaishankar Meeting on SRIA and Indo-Pacific

Earlier on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks in New York, discussing possible sanctions against countries trading with Russia and Iran, energy security, developments in the Middle East, and the US-India Strategic Partnership. According to the State Department, Rubio underscored that 'the United States remains well-positioned to help regional partners address their energy security challenges.'

Notably, the State Department readout did not identify which countries could face sanctions, specify the economic activities under review, or record any sanctions decision. It also did not describe Jaishankar's response to the sanctions issue.

Jaishankar posted on X: '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.'

What the SRIA Means for India

The Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act has emerged as a significant pressure point in India–US ties, given India's continued energy imports from Russia since the Ukraine conflict began. India has consistently maintained its right to pursue energy deals in its national interest, and the flurry of diplomatic engagements this week — across Congressional and executive channels — signals New Delhi is actively managing the legislative risk the SRIA poses to Indian entities. This is the most concentrated series of high-level India–US diplomatic meetings around the SRIA since the legislation was enacted.

What Comes Next

The outcome of these engagements will likely shape how India navigates any future sanctions framework under SRIA. With semiconductors, critical minerals, and the Indo-Pacific agenda also on the table, the bilateral relationship appears to be entering a more transactional phase — one where strategic convergence and economic interests must be carefully balanced against US legislative imperatives.