NEW DELHI: In a significant diplomatic engagement, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar held a crucial meeting with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington late on Tuesday. This high-level interaction occurred against the backdrop of India and the United States recently finalizing a long-pending trade agreement, a development that marks a milestone in bilateral economic relations.
Context of the Meeting and Trade Deal Breakthrough
The meeting took place during Jaishankar's three-day official visit to the United States from February 2 to 4. It preceded the inaugural critical minerals ministerial scheduled for Wednesday, highlighting the timing's strategic importance. The recently concluded trade deal, which emerged after nearly a year of intensive negotiations, sees Washington agreeing to reduce tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent. This agreement has gained heightened significance following Donald Trump's return to the White House, as his administration's renewed tariff policies and tougher trade stance have created uncertainties in global commerce, with the US adopting a more assertive approach in international negotiations.
Wide-Ranging Discussions on Strategic Partnership
During their talks, Jaishankar and Rubio engaged in what the Indian minister described as "wide-ranging" discussions. The leaders exchanged views on a broad spectrum of issues central to the India-US Strategic Partnership. Key areas covered included nuclear cooperation, defense ties, critical minerals, trade relations, and energy security. According to a readout issued by US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the two leaders specifically discussed formalizing bilateral cooperation on critical minerals across exploration, mining, and processing.
Jaishankar took to social media platform X after the meeting, stating: "Delighted to meet US @SecRubio this afternoon. A wide ranging conversation that covered our bilateral cooperation agenda, regional and global issues." He further elaborated that the discussions spanned essential pillars of the strategic partnership, including trade, energy, nuclear cooperation, defense, critical minerals, and technology. The leaders agreed on convening early meetings of various mechanisms to advance shared interests.
Quad Cooperation and Indo-Pacific Focus
A significant portion of the dialogue reaffirmed both nations' commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as the Quad. This strategic forum brings together the United States, Australia, Japan, and India as partner countries. The meeting also focused extensively on the Indo-Pacific region, with both leaders stressing the necessity for a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific to advance shared strategic interests.
The US readout noted: "Secretary Rubio and minister Jaishankar welcomed the trade deal reached between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. The two leaders emphasised the importance of our democracies working together to unlock new economic opportunities and advance our shared energy security goals." It added that they concluded by expressing their commitment to expanding cooperation through the Quad, acknowledging that a prosperous Indo-Pacific remains vital to advancing mutual interests.
Earlier Meeting with US Treasury Secretary
Earlier on the same day, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. In that meeting, the two sides discussed concrete ways to advance the India-US economic partnership and strengthen strategic cooperation, further underscoring the comprehensive nature of Jaishankar's diplomatic mission.
This series of high-level engagements in Washington reveals the deepening and multifaceted priorities of the India-US relationship, spanning economic, strategic, and regional security dimensions at a critical juncture in global affairs.
