Jaishankar, Rubio Discuss Strengthening US-India Ties, Regional Security and Trade
Mumbai — Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai on Tuesday to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, technology and defense, as well as regional security developments.
The meeting, attended by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and other senior officials, focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.
“Pleased to meet US Marco Rubio in Mumbai today. We shared views on further advancement of our ties, focusing on trade, energy, technology, defence and people-to-people ties. Also exchanged views on regional developments,” Jaishankar wrote on X following the meeting.
Rubio also highlighted the discussions, emphasizing energy security and defense cooperation as key priorities.
“In Mumbai, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and I discussed energy security and defense cooperation while reaffirming the importance of advancing the U.S.-India strategic partnership,” Rubio wrote on X.
The bilateral talks followed a separate trilateral meeting involving Jaishankar, Rubio and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The three officials discussed regional energy security, economic cooperation and opportunities to deepen collaboration among their countries.
“It was great to meet with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss regional energy security and advance our shared economic priorities,” Rubio said.
Gor described the trilateral discussions as an opportunity to translate existing partnerships into practical initiatives.
“The US, India, and UAE have real opportunities to advance cooperation on energy, trade, technology, and regional connectivity. Marco Rubio, S Jaishankar, and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai for a discussion on turning our close ties into concrete results!” Gor posted on X.
Rubio arrived in Mumbai earlier Tuesday, accompanied by his wife, Jeanette Rubio, and Gor. He was welcomed at the airport by Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra’s minister responsible for culture, electronics, information technology and artificial intelligence.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs welcomed Rubio’s second visit to the country this year, describing it as an opportunity to expand cooperation under the U.S.-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
“Welcome to Mumbai, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on your second visit to India! He was received by Shri Ashish Shelar, Minister of Culture, Electronics, IT and AI, Government of Maharashtra at the airport. The visit provides an opportunity to further advance cooperation across the various pillars of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” the ministry stated on X.
Following his engagements in Mumbai, Rubio is scheduled to travel to Jamnagar in Gujarat for additional discussions, including talks on enhanced energy cooperation, according to the U.S. State Department.
The meetings underscore ongoing diplomatic efforts by Washington and New Delhi to strengthen economic and strategic cooperation while addressing regional energy and security challenges. (Source: IANS)
