NEW YORK– U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored India’s “critical” importance to the United States after meeting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday, signaling a push to stabilize ties following weeks of sharp rhetoric and new tariffs.
According to a State Department readout, Rubio “reiterated that India is a relationship of critical importance to the United States” and praised New Delhi’s continued engagement on trade, defense, energy, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and other bilateral issues. The two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation on maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, including through the Quad partnership with Japan and Australia.
The meeting marked Rubio’s first official engagement of the day at the U.N. General Assembly’s high-level session. Jaishankar later posted on X that the talks covered “a range of bilateral and international issues of current concern” and emphasized “the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas.”
Their encounter came against a backdrop of strained relations. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump imposed a cumulative 50 percent tariff on India and described its economy as “dead,” though he later struck a more conciliatory tone. On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday, Trump phoned to offer congratulations, posting on Truth Social, “He is doing a tremendous job. Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine.” Modi responded publicly, reaffirming his commitment to advancing the U.S.-India “Comprehensive and Global Partnership.”
Rubio and Jaishankar’s meeting was cordial, with a brief appearance before reporters but no questions taken. Later, Jaishankar also met Sergio Gor, Trump’s ambassador-designate to India, who will serve concurrently as Special Envoy for South and Central Asia if confirmed by the Senate.
Meanwhile, trade negotiations gained momentum in New York as Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to work on the first tranche of a potential bilateral agreement. Sources said both sides remain hopeful of reaching an interim deal soon.
Despite friction over trade and India’s oil purchases from Russia, officials emphasized that the two countries share broad strategic interests, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. Rubio himself highlighted the Quad as a central pillar of cooperation moving forward. (Source: IANS)
