India Raises Concerns Over SRIA With U.S. Congressional Delegation
New Delhi — India raised concerns with a visiting U.S. congressional delegation over the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, or SRIA, warning that the legislation could affect bilateral ties and international energy markets, the Ministry of External Affairs said Tuesday.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri discussed the issue Sunday during a meeting with a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast.
“The Foreign Secretary conveyed our concerns regarding the SRIA legislation, including the kind of implications it would have for the bilateral relationship as well as the international energy market,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a media briefing in New Delhi.
The talks covered a range of issues involving India-U.S. relations, including the recently enacted SRIA and the future direction of bilateral ties. The delegation also included U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar and other lawmakers.
According to the MEA, the two sides discussed international issues of mutual concern, energy security, counterterrorism and freedom of navigation.
“Discussions covered the entire gamut of India-US relations, including the recently enacted SRIA legislation and the future trajectory of the relationship,” the ministry said. “They also exchanged views on international issues of mutual concern, energy security, counter-terrorism and freedom of navigation.”
The discussions followed other recent high-level exchanges between Indian and U.S. officials over the legislation.
Misri met U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker in New York last week to discuss bilateral cooperation, including energy security, SRIA, civil nuclear cooperation, the Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology initiative and the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture initiative.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also raised India’s concerns over SRIA during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York.
“Good to meet Secretary Marco Rubio of the US at UN High Level Week. Reiterated India’s interests and concerns with regard to SRIA. Also discussed the Gulf and Ukraine situations,” Jaishankar wrote on X.
