US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on his maiden trip to India, has signaled that a trade agreement between the two nations is imminent, describing it as 'beneficial and sustainable'. The visit is widely viewed as an effort to mend bilateral ties that have faced significant strain over the past year due to Washington's trade and tariff policies.
During his meetings with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other senior officials, Rubio emphasized the mutual benefits of a new trade framework. 'We are working towards an agreement that will be beneficial and sustainable for both our economies,' he stated, adding that the deal would address tariff imbalances and enhance market access.
The proposed agreement is expected to cover key areas such as technology, defense, and pharmaceuticals, aiming to boost bilateral trade which currently stands at over $190 billion. Officials from both sides have been engaged in intense negotiations to resolve outstanding issues, including India's high tariffs on American goods and US restrictions on Indian visas and steel imports.
Analysts see this as a positive step towards resetting the relationship, which had soured after the US imposed tariffs on Indian steel and aluminum, followed by India's retaliatory tariffs on American products. The trade deal is also likely to strengthen strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Rubio's visit comes ahead of a planned summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump later this year. The agreement, if finalized, could serve as a cornerstone for deeper economic and strategic ties between the world's two largest democracies.
