India is a relationship of critical importance to US: Marco Rubio after meeting with Jaishankar

By R Anil Kumar

• The US Department of State, in an official release, appreciated India’s continued engagement on a number of issues and reaffirmed New Delhi’s “critical importance” to Washington

• The two leaders greeted each other warmly, with both governments eager to project a message of continuity despite mounting economic irritants

New York. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the significance of India’s relationship with the United States, describing it as of “critical importance” during his meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

Both leaders discussed strengthening strategic cooperation between New Delhi and Washington across key sectors, including trade, defence, energy, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals.

Rubio stated that the talks were focused on the aspects of bilateral partnership aimed at “enhancing prosperity for both nations”.

“Met with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at UNGA. We discussed key areas of our bilateral relationship, including trade, energy, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals and more to generate prosperity for India and the United States,” Rubio posted on X.

The US Department of State, in an official release, appreciated India’s continued engagement on a number of issues and reaffirmed New Delhi’s “critical importance” to Washington.

“Secretary Rubio, reiterating that India is a relationship of critical importance to the United States, expressed his appreciation for the Indian government’s continued engagement on a number of issues including trade, defense, energy, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and other items related to the bilateral relationship,” the statement said.

It further stated that both leaders agreed to continue working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

“Secretary Rubio and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar agreed the United States and India will continue working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including through the Quad,” it added.

H-1B, Jaishankar and Rubio discuss issues of ‘current concern’

Jaishankar and Rubio discussed a “range of bilateral and international issues of current concern” as they met for the first time after US President Donald Trump imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods over New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil and increased the H-1B visa fee to $100,000.

Sources said the hour-long meeting, on the sidelines of the high-level 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), was “positive”, as they discussed all issues in a candid manner. They also agreed to continue to engage so that they can make progress on “priority areas”.

“Good to meet @SecRubio this morning in New York. Our conversation covered a range of bilateral and international issues of current concern. Agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas. We will remain in touch,” Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting, indicating that the hot-button issues were part of the conversation.

The tariffs soured talks already underway on a Bilateral Trade Agreement, though both sides resumed discussions in September with what India’s Commerce Ministry described as “positive discussions” and a commitment to intensify efforts toward a deal.

Despite the setbacks, Washington and New Delhi have kept up diplomatic contact. Rubio and Jaishankar last met in July at a Quad foreign ministers’ gathering with Japan and Australia — partners bound by shared concerns about China’s growing influence. Monday’s exchange, their first since the tariff fight escalated, was meant to underline that cooperation remains intact.

Thaw in Indo-US trade ties

For the past few months, India and US’ trade ties have been marred with tensions after US President Donald Trump increased the tariff on India to 50 percent as part of a penalty for New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil.

Trump’s decision came as part of an effort to establish a ceasefire in Ukraine by adding pressure on Russia and its close allies.

After several jibes from White House officials such as Peter Navarro over India’s ties with Russia, Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a breakthrough in ties and stated that the two nations will resume their talks for trade.

Following this development, the Centre confirmed that commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal will lead a delegation to the US to accelerate talks for the bilateral trade agreement between India and the US.

Goyal, who landed in the US on Monday, September 22 met with trade representative Jamieson Greer in New York.