WASHINGTON — India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, held an extensive discussion with Jacob Helberg, the new US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, focusing on the evolving bilateral economic agenda between the two nations.
In a post on X on Wednesday (India time), Kwatra said he congratulated Helberg on assuming his new role and outlined areas of cooperation that remain central to the India–US partnership. “Congratulated US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg on assuming his responsibilities. Had a wide ranging conversation on our bilateral economic engagement agenda, including a mutually beneficial trade deal, strategic trade dialogue, and technology cooperation including AI,” he wrote.
Helberg, who took office in mid-October, previously served as an Advisor to the White House Council of Economic Advisors. He is also the founder of The Hill and Valley Forum, a bipartisan coalition connecting Silicon Valley executives with US lawmakers. According to the US State Department, Helberg has worked closely with Congressional leaders on national security issues involving China, and from 2022 to 2024, served on the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, where he advocated for tariffs and greater industrial independence from China.
His background includes roles as Senior Advisor to the CEO of Palantir Technologies, early-stage investing in high-growth tech firms, serving as Google’s global lead for Search policy, and being part of the founding team at GeoQuant.
Kwatra’s meeting with Helberg follows a series of high-level engagements between Indian officials and U.S. lawmakers in recent weeks. On November 24, he met Representative Jay Obernolte, Chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Research and Technology Subcommittee, to discuss expanded cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence.
“Enjoyed my conversation with Rep. Jay Obernolte… Highlighted opportunities for stronger US-India cooperation in science, tech, AI and innovation,” Kwatra posted.
Last week, the ambassador also met US Senator John Barrasso, Majority Whip and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Kwatra said the two discussed the drivers of the strategic partnership between India and the United States, including efforts toward a balanced trade arrangement, increased oil and gas trade, and deeper cooperation in defense and security.
In October, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said trade discussions between the two countries are advancing, expressing optimism about moving toward a fair and equitable trade agreement.
“We are in dialogue with the United States of America… We hope to work towards a fair and equitable agreement in the near future,” Goyal said. (Source: IANS)
