Amid concerns over the Russia Sanctions Act, the Secretary of State met with the US delegation

Foreign Minister Vikram Misri during a meeting with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast. Photo: X/@MEEAIndia via PTI.

Days after members of the US Congress approved a new Russia sanctions bill targeting India and other Russian oil importers, Secretary of State Vikram Misri met with a five-member congressional delegation led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast on Sunday (September 27, 2026).

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The delegation included co-sponsor Jimmy Patronis, Republican Representative James Gallagher and Democrat Hailey Stevens, who both voted for the bill, as well as Shri Thanedar, an Indian-born American lawmaker who voted against the bill. The meeting comes days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised India’s concerns about possible sanctions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York and Mr Misri discussed the matter with US Assistant Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker.

The Lindsey O. Graham Russia-Iran Sanctions Act (SRIA), passed by the US Congress on September 16, directs US President Donald Trump to impose up to 100% sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil and expands sanctions on trade with Iran. A decision on what, if any, sanctions to impose on India is expected to be made next month with a 30-day deadline. Officials would not comment on whether Mr. Misri had discussed or received any assurances about a waiver of sanctions, which may be granted under certain conditions.

“Discussions covered the entire gamut of India-US relations, including the recently passed SRIA legislation and the future trajectory of the relationship,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement about the meeting held at Mr. Misri’s residence. “They also exchanged views on international issues of common interest, energy security, counter-terrorism and freedom of navigation,” he added.

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Mr. Mast is a US Army veteran who lost both legs in an explosion in Kandahar in 2010. He works on counter-terrorism issues and is interested in South Asia. During the India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025, Mr Mast said in an interview that he had spoken to “both sides” and urged de-escalation following Indian strikes on Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attacks. He has also pushed for sanctions against Russia and supports the secondary sanctions that have now been proposed against China and India, which are major buyers of Russian oil. He particularly criticized China for military supplies to Russia during the war in Ukraine.

Mr. Thanedar was the only member of the delegation to vote against the bill and was one of five Indian-Americans who opposed it, largely over concerns about the powers it would grant to the US president.

Published – 27 Sep 2026 22:47 IST