India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar met with his US counterpart Marco Rubio in Mumbai. During the meeting, the parties agreed to expand cooperation in technology, energy, and defense, and committed to expediting the discussed trade agreement.
Marco Rubio emphasized the potential of the US in diversifying energy and defense supplies for India. In turn, S. Jaishankar mentioned that they also discussed people-to-people ties, touching upon India's concerns regarding immigration and H-1B visa management issues.
The meeting took place the day before the anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Donald Trump next month on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Manila, as well as ahead of Modi's visit to the US in December to participate in the G20 summit.
According to a State Department statement, Jaishankar and Rubio discussed regional and global issues, including events in West Asia.
Rubio reiterated that increased energy trade with the US could fundamentally change India's supply chains while satisfying its significant consumer demand. Rubio's second visit to India comes against the backdrop of the US sanctions law against Russia and Iran, which aims to penalize countries purchasing Russian oil, as well as the temporary suspension of related tariffs by Trump. India insists that oil purchases are vital not only for its own energy security but also for the stability of global markets. Rubio highly praised the 'significant progress' made by India in diversifying its energy portfolio.
Furthermore, Rubio focused on reducing India's dependence on Russia for defense supplies, emphasizing the deepening of operational interoperability in the defense sector and presenting increased procurement of American technologies by India as a mutually beneficial situation for both countries.
According to the US State Department, Rubio also noted recent progress in bilateral defense and civilian nuclear cooperation, advocating for increased procurement of American systems and technologies that can enhance the security and welfare of both nations.
In an X post, Rubio stated that he and Jaishankar confirmed the importance of advancing the strategic partnership between the US and India. The ministers will meet again on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in Atlanta at the end of this month. Both will also join their counterparts from Japan and Australia at the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting in Atlanta.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that Jaishankar and Rubio welcomed the progress in negotiations on the bilateral trade agreement between India and the US and reaffirmed their commitment to its early conclusion. Rubio stated that the parties are 'as close as possible without a signed agreement.' He told American media that 'there are just a few points left to finalize... and hopefully, there will be good news soon to announce, and perhaps leaders can sign it after that.'
Shortly after arriving in Mumbai, Rubio laid a wreath at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel to pay tribute to the victims of the 26/11 attacks. The US State Department noted that 'Secretary Rubio stressed the Trump administration's commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and ensuring that those responsible for acts of terrorism are brought to justice, including those accused of planning the Mumbai attacks in 2008,' without naming Pakistan.
