External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with a U. S. official in New York on Wednesday, raising India's concerns over the recently enacted Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA). The meeting, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, marked the first discussion since the U. S. law was passed.
The SRIA, which mandates President Donald Trump to impose up to 100% tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, poses a significant threat to India's energy imports. The law also extends sanctions on trade with Iran, further complicating India's energy strategy.
In a social media post, Jaishankar emphasized that he had reiterated India's interests and concerns regarding the SRIA. He also mentioned discussions on the situations in Ukraine and Iran. Despite the gravity of the issue, the U. S. official's public statement after the meeting focused on the broader U. S.-India strategic partnership, sidestepping the sanctions topic.
The Ministry of External Affairs had previously expressed strong disapproval of the SRIA, warning of potential implications for the bilateral relationship and the global energy market. The ministry had communicated these concerns to various U. S. interlocutors over recent months.
Looking ahead, there are mentions of potential high-level meetings between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year. Potential engagements include a meeting at the ASEAN Summit in November and a bilateral meeting during the G20 Summit in Miami in mid-December.
Despite recent strains in U. S.-India relations, including U. S. tariffs on India and stalled Free Trade Agreement negotiations, Jaishankar and the U. S. official have maintained a cordial rapport over the past two years. Their meeting on Wednesday underscored the ongoing diplomatic efforts to navigate these challenges.
President Trump, in his address to the UNGA on Tuesday, made a claim repeatedly denied by the Modi government. Trump highlighted his role in resolving conflicts across several countries, including India and Pakistan.
The U. S. official, addressing the press later, touched upon India-Pakistan tensions, suggesting that the U. S. had stepped in where the United Nations had failed. He lamented the lack of a functional international system to address conflicts like those between Thailand and Cambodia or India and Pakistan.
Jaishankar is in New York to lead India's delegation at the UNGA and is scheduled to address the assembly on Saturday. His participation underscores India's active role in global diplomatic discussions amid evolving geopolitical challenges.
