India-U.S. officials discuss Russia sanctions law during New Delhi meeting
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met a five-member U.S. congressional delegation days after Congress passed legislation that could impose sanctions on countries buying Russian oil. India’s external affairs ministry said the talks covered the law, bilateral relations, energy security and other international issues.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met a five-member U.S. congressional delegation in New Delhi on Sunday, days after the U.S. Congress passed legislation targeting countries that import Russian crude oil.
The delegation was led by Brian Mast, chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. It included bill co-sponsor Jimmy Patronis, Republican representatives James Gallagher and Hailey Stevens, and Shri Thanedar.
Thanedar was the only member of the delegation identified as having voted against the legislation. The meeting followed discussions between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York. Misri had also discussed the issue with U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the talks covered the full range of India-U.S. relations, including the recently enacted Lindsey O. Graham Sanctions against Russia and Iran Act and the future direction of bilateral ties.
The legislation, passed by Congress on September 16, requires U.S. President Donald Trump to impose sanctions of up to 100 per cent on countries buying Russian oil and extends sanctions relating to trade with Iran. A decision on possible measures against India is expected next month, following a 30-day deadline.
Officials did not say whether Misri sought or received assurances about a possible waiver. The ministry said the officials also exchanged views on international issues of mutual concern, energy security, counter-terrorism and freedom of navigation. The delegation included lawmakers who supported the bill as well as Thanedar, who opposed it partly because of concerns about the powers it would give the U.S.
president. The report also said Mast has supported secondary sanctions against major buyers of Russian oil, including India and China.
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