Jaishankar to Attend Inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington DC
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to travel to Washington DC on February 4 for the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting, marking his first visit to the United States this year. The high-level gathering, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to strengthen global cooperation on securing resilient supply chains for minerals crucial to national security and the energy transition.
An Opportunity to Repair Strained Bilateral Ties
While the official agenda centers on critical minerals, the meeting presents a significant opportunity for Jaishankar and Rubio to address and repair the strained relations between India and the US. This follows a phone conversation between the two ministers on January 13, where they discussed a potential February meeting, leading to this formal invitation.
The timing is particularly crucial as trade deal negotiations remain a pressing issue, with India facing 50% tariffs imposed by the US since August last year. These tariffs have added considerable pressure to the bilateral relationship, making diplomatic engagement essential.
Background of Diplomatic Engagements
Jaishankar and Rubio have maintained regular contact throughout 2025, beginning with their first meeting on Rubio's inaugural day as Secretary of State. Subsequent interactions occurred on the sidelines of major international forums, including:
- The United Nations General Assembly
- The G7 Foreign Ministers' gathering
- The Quad foreign ministers' meeting in July 2025
- The ASEAN and East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur
Their discussions have consistently covered a broad spectrum of bilateral and global issues, including trade negotiations, critical minerals, defense cooperation, nuclear energy, and regional security concerns.
Key Issues on the Agenda
The upcoming meeting is expected to address several critical areas:
- Trade Negotiations: Resolving the 50% tariffs and advancing toward a comprehensive trade deal.
- Critical Minerals Collaboration: Enhancing supply chain security for minerals essential to technological and energy sectors.
- Regional Security: Discussions on the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine conflict, and Middle East stability.
- Defense and Nuclear Cooperation: Strengthening strategic partnerships in these key areas.
Notably, India has taken steps to reduce its Russian oil imports since September 2025, signaling willingness to address US concerns. Sources indicate that waiving the 25% punitive tariff related to these imports could significantly ease bilateral tensions while trade negotiations continue.
Broader Implications for India-US Relations
This visit holds promise for a new beginning in India-US relations, which have faced multiple challenges including tariff disputes, closer US-Pakistan ties, and political statements regarding regional conflicts. A successful meeting could pave the way for the long-anticipated trade deal and foster greater strategic alignment on global issues.
The Critical Minerals Ministerial thus represents more than just a policy discussion—it is a diplomatic milestone that could determine the trajectory of one of the world's most important bilateral relationships in the coming years.
