India flags energy security concerns as US expands Russia sanctions authority
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar raises New Delhi's worries over new US law targeting Russian oil purchases to Secretary of State Rubio at UN, as Washington signals readiness to impose secondary sanctions on trading partners
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday at the UN General Assembly in New York, where he reiterated India's concerns over the newly signed Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The law, signed by President Trump on September 18, expands US statutory authority to impose sanctions, tariffs, and other restrictions on Russia and extends existing sanctions on Iran. It specifically authorizes the US administration to levy tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed possible sanctions that could be leveled against states engaging economically with Russia and Iran, while Rubio emphasized that the US remains well-positioned to help regional partners address energy security challenges. Jaishankar also reiterated India's longstanding position that its energy sourcing decisions are driven by the need to safeguard energy security for its 1.4 billion people through diversified supplies and evolving market conditions.
The meeting takes place amid heightened India-US tensions over trade. Trump has already imposed tariffs on Indian goods linked to Russian oil purchases, bringing total levies on India to 50 percent. Both sides are simultaneously working to finalize an interim India-US trade agreement. The discussion also covered situations in the Middle East and Ukraine.
How could this affect you
Traced by who's actually in the path of this — not everyone is.
Direct
If you import energy, trade with India, or operate in markets dependent on Russian oil
The SRIA law gives the Trump administration statutory authority to impose tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, and Washington signaled willingness to impose secondary sanctions on third countries trading with Russia or Iran. Oil-importing nations and their trade partners could face escalating tariff exposure as the administration implements the law.
Likely
If you are an Indian business in energy, manufacturing, or export-dependent sectors
India's willingness to resist US pressure on Russian oil purchases, combined with Trump's tariff authority and explicit threat to use it against major Russian oil buyers, creates risk of expanded secondary sanctions against Indian companies and goods. Trade negotiations with the US will likely hinge partly on India's compliance with energy restrictions.
Likely
If you are affected by global energy prices
Secondary sanctions on major Russian oil producers or buyers could further constrain global oil supply, with potential upward pressure on prices. Recent US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil caused a 3 percent spike in global oil prices.
Sources
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