Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met his US counterpart Marco Rubio in Mumbai, agreeing to further expand cooperation in energy, defence and technology ties and committing to an early conclusion of the trade deal still under discussion.While Rubio emphasised the role that the US can play in the diversification of India’s energy and defence supplies, Jaishankar said in a post on X that they also discussed people-to-people ties, alluding to India’s concerns over immigration and H-1B governance issues. Speaking at the US anniversary celebrations later, Jaishankar said in Rubio’s presence that Indian talent and skills have helped shape the tech era in the US.The ministers met ahead of a likely meeting between PM Modi and President Donald Trump next month on the margins of the Asean summit in Manila, and also before Modi’s visit to the US in December for the G20 meet.A State Department readout said Jaishankar and Rubio discussed regional and global issues, including developments in West Asia.
Only a small number of items left to wrap up: Rubio on Indo-US deal
Rubio reiterated that increased energy trade with the US could play a transformative role in diversifying India’s supply chains while meeting its sizeable consumer demand.Rubio’s second visit to India comes against the backdrop of the US’s Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which is intended to penalise countries purchasing Russian oil, and Trump’s subsequent temporary suspension of related tariffs. India maintains that its oil procurement is essential not only for its own energy security but also for the stability of global markets. Rubio lauded the “substantial progress” made by India in diversifying its energy portfolio.Rubio also focused on reducing India’s reliance on Russia for defence supplies, stressing the deepening of defence interoperability and framing increased Indian purchases of US technology as a win-win situation for both countries.According to the US readout, Rubio also commended recent progress in bilateral defence and civil nuclear cooperation and advocated increased purchases of US technologies and systems that could enhance the security and prosperity of both countries.In a post on X, Rubio said he and Jaishankar had reaffirmed the importance of advancing the US-India strategic partnership. The ministers will meet again on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta later this month. Both will also join their counterparts from Japan and Australia for a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers in Atlanta.According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Jaishankar and Rubio welcomed progress in negotiations on the India-US bilateral trade agreement and reaffirmed their commitment to working towards its early conclusion.Rubio said the two sides were “as close as you can be without having an executed agreement”.“I think there’s a small number of items left to wrap up… and hopefully have some good news to announce fairly soon, and perhaps the leaders can sign it thereafter,” Rubio told travelling US media.
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Shortly after arriving in Mumbai, Rubio laid a wreath at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel to honour the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks.“Secretary Rubio underscored the Trump administration’s commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and ensuring that those responsible for acts of terrorism are brought to justice, including individuals facing charges for their roles in planning the 2008 Mumbai attacks,” the US State Department said, without naming Pakistan.
