Russian sanctions, Iran war, energy and Ukraine: What Jaishankar and Rubio discussed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly | Today’s news
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar here on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 23 (US time).
The two leaders discussed “sanctions” that could be imposed against countries that engage economically with Russia and Iran, the US State Department said in a statement.
Secretary Rubio emphasized during the meeting that the United States remains well positioned to help regional partners address their energy security challenges, the statement said.
“Rubio and Jaishankar exchanged views on developments in the Middle East and beyond. The two also discussed sanctions that could be imposed on states that engage economically with Russia and Iran. The secretary emphasized that the United States remains well positioned to help regional partners address their energy security challenges,” the US State Department said in a statement.
The meeting comes as India assesses the potential impact of the new US law on its energy purchases and exports to the US market. The law gives the US president the power to impose additional tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and natural gas. However, the law itself does not automatically impose 100% duty on Indian goods. Instead, it creates a statutory authority for the administration to impose such measures under specified conditions.
Jaishankar reiterates India’s interests and concerns
The diplomats reaffirmed the important role the US-India strategic partnership continues to play in advancing a safe, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
In his meeting, Jaishankar reiterated India’s “interests and concerns” regarding the Russian sanctions bill signed by President Donald Trump and also discussed the situation in the Persian Gulf and Ukraine with the US.
“Nice to meet @SecRubio from US #UNHighLevelWeek,” Jaishankar said on X.
“He reiterated India’s interests and concerns regarding the SRIA. He also discussed the situation in the Persian Gulf and Ukraine,” he said, referring to the Lindsey O Graham Russia-Iran Sanctions Act of 2026.
Rubio earlier said it was “great to meet” Jaishankar in New York.
“Together, we are building on the US-India strategic partnership and coordinating key regional priorities and upcoming multilateral efforts,” Rubio said.
Russia Sanctions Act
Last Friday, Trump signed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which authorizes and expands statutory sanctions, tariffs and bans against Russia and expands existing sanctions against Iran.
The law is named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who proposed a sanctions bill imposing 500 percent tariffs on countries buying Russian oil.
In a speech to world leaders at the United Nations on Tuesday, Trump said he had signed a “powerful new law” that gives him “huge new tariffs” on major buyers of Russian oil, including India and China.
“If necessary, I will have to use them. It’s time to stop the killing,” Trump said in his speech to the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
Nice to meet @SecRubio from USA #UNHighLevelWeek. He reiterated India’s interests and concerns regarding the SRIA. The situation in the Persian Gulf and Ukraine were also discussed.
India said it remains firmly committed to energy security for its 1.4 billion people and will continue to do so through diversified sourcing.
