External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. Jaishankar, in an X post, said he met Rubio and reiterated India’s interests and concerns over SRIA (the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act).

"Good to meet @SecRubio of the US #UNHighLevelWeek. Reiterated India’s interests and concerns with regard to SRIA. Also discussed the Gulf and Ukraine situations," his X post read.

India To Ensuring Energy Security For Its 1.4 Billion People

Earlier on September 17, External Affairs Ministry (MEA) released a statement on passage of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the US Congress, asserting that India is committed to ensure the energy securty for its people.

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"The Government of India has noted the passage of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the US Congress. We are monitoring further developments on this matter," it read.

As stated on several earlier occasions, India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people, it stated, adding that it will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics.

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"This issue has been discussed at high levels in recent months with various US interlocutors. Its potential implications for not just the bilateral relationship but also the international energy market have been very clearly articulated by the Indian side," it added.

The Indian side has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests, the MEA said, adding that the government will work closely with Indian trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications of these developments.

Jaishankar Holds Bilateral And Multilateral Meetings

Meanwhile, the external affairs minister also held a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings on the margins of the General Assembly, during which he discussed reformed multilateralism, the need for an effective UN Security Council and collaboration in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and space. Jaishankar participated in the India-UAE-France trilateral on the sidelines of the UNGA session on Tuesday.

"Collaboration in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Space, health sciences, energy and culture was the main topic of discussion," he said in a post on X.
(With Agencies Inputs)

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