US, India Foreign Ministers Discuss Possible Sanctions Against Countries With Ties to Russia After US Legislation Targeting Russia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar talked about possible sanctions on countries with economic relations with Russia and Iran during a meeting in New York on Wednesday. 

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The discussion was held days after President of the United States Donald Trump signed into law a sanctions legislation meant to impose further economic pressure on Russia for its ongoing war in Ukraine. 

Concerns over the legislation were reportedly raised by India during the discussion. 

Jaishankar and Rubio in discussion about sanctions in New York 

The discussion between Jaishankar and Rubio happened in New York where the two foreign ministers discussed sanctions which may be imposed on countries that maintain economic relations with Russia and Iran. 

In light of the discussion, US State Department revealed that the issue became part of their discussion. 

Jaishankar separately tweeted that he again raised India’s interests and concerns regarding the legislation. 

The discussion highlighted the US sanctions legislation amidst existing concerns raised by India on the legislation related to Russian oil. 

Trump signed sanctions bill into law last week 

Trump signed the legislation, titled the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” into law last week. 

The legislation was named after Lindsey Graham, the late Republican US senator from South Carolina. 

It had previously cleared the US Congress and is aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, which began in early 2022. 

The law creates scope for measures affecting countries that continue economic engagement with Russia and Iran. 

India reiterates concerns over legislation 

India’s position on the sanctions legislation was raised directly during the Rubio-Jaishankar meeting. 

Jaishankar said he reiterated India’s interests and concerns regarding the law. 

New Delhi had previously cautioned Washington that measures imposing tariffs over purchases of Russian oil could affect bilateral ties between India and the United States. 

The Reuters report does not detail any agreement or resolution reached between the two sides on India’s concerns during Wednesday’s meeting. 

Sanctions law adds another issue to India-US discussions 

The latest meeting brings the implications of the new US sanctions legislation into direct diplomatic discussions between Washington and New Delhi. 

The law is designed to increase economic pressure on Russia, while its provisions could also affect countries that maintain economic relationships with Russia and Iran. 

For India, the discussion centres on how such measures could apply to its economic engagement, particularly its purchases of Russian oil. 

Wednesday’s talks confirmed that the issue is now being discussed at the level of the two countries’ top diplomats, with India formally reiterating its concerns following the legislation’s enactment.