India Raises Concerns Over SRIA During Misri's Meeting With US Congressional Delegation: MEA

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri raised India's concerns over the newly enacted Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (SRIA) during his meeting with a bipartisan US Congressional delegation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday. The MEA said the discussions focused on the possible impact of the legislation on India-US relations as well as its broader consequences for global energy markets.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Misri met the delegation on Sunday. The US lawmakers were led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast. During the meeting, the two sides discussed a range of bilateral and international issues. "The Foreign Secretary conveyed our concerns regarding the SRIA legislation and the kind of implications it could have for bilateral relations as well as the international energy market," Jaiswal said during a media briefing.

The meeting comes as India continues to examine the potential consequences of Washington's new measures targeting Russia's energy sector and countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas. According to the MEA, the discussions covered the broader India-US relationship, including the recently enacted SRIA legislation and the future direction of bilateral ties. The two sides also exchanged views on international matters of shared interest, including energy security, counter-terrorism and freedom of navigation.

The SRIA has attracted attention in India because of its provisions concerning Russia's energy trade. The legislation establishes a framework for expanding sanctions, trade restrictions and other economic measures linked to Russia and Iran. Among the areas covered by the legislation are Russia's petroleum and defence-related sectors, government officials, financial institutions and vessels allegedly involved in circumventing restrictions on Russian crude exports.

One of the provisions that has raised particular interest in India is the authority provided to the US executive branch to potentially impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports from countries that continue buying Russian energy, subject to conditions specified under the law and any decision by the US President.

The legislation itself does not automatically impose a 100 per cent tariff on Indian products. Instead, it creates a legal mechanism through which the US administration could impose such tariffs if the relevant statutory conditions are met and the authority is subsequently exercised. The issue is significant because Russian energy supplies have remained an important component of its energy procurement strategy. Any additional trade restrictions could therefore have implications beyond bilateral commerce, potentially affecting energy costs, supply chains and the wider global oil market.

The latest discussions between Misri and the US delegation underline India's effort to communicate its concerns directly with American lawmakers while continuing broader engagement with Washington on trade, energy security and strategic issues. The meeting also comes at a time when both countries are discussing the future direction of their bilateral relationship amid evolving international economic and geopolitical conditions.