US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday underscored that India is "critical" to the United States and appreciated the country's energetic participation in trade, the State Department said in a statement.
After meeting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Rubio reiterated that the relationship with India is of critical importance to the United States. Rubio 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 Department said in a readout.
The two leaders also "agreed the United States and India will continue working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including through the Quad," the statement noted.
This renewed endorsement of India's importance to the US comes after President Donald Trump sent birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 75th birthday, days after weeks of sharp comments and the imposition of a 50 percent tariff on India.
Most significantly, the meeting with Jaishankar was Rubio's initial formal session of the day as he holds a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders at the high-level General Assembly session.
Jaishankar posted on X, "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" further stating that they would remain in touch.
Both leaders made a friendly appearance in the conference room before they got into it, where the table was decorated with flowers and flags, and exchanged handshakes although they refused to respond to any questions.
Later, Jaishankar had a meeting with the US ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor. The State Department quoted X, “They look forward to further promoting the success of the U.S.-India relationship”. Gor will also hold the position of Trump's Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, subject to Senate confirmation required for all ambassadors.
In another indication of deepening ties, India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer sat down in New York to consider the first part of a trade deal, sources informed IANS, with both sides hopeful of finalizing an interim agreement at the earliest.
In spite of continuing differences on trade and India's Russian oil purchases, the two nations have strategic interests, underscored by the Quad, which also has Australia and Japan and is aimed at the Indo-Pacific. Rubio used the term Quad while in talks.
After previously condemning India, even calling its economy "dead," Trump posted on Truth Social after his birthday phone call with Modi, “He is doing a tremendous job. Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine”.
PM Modi reacted on X, "Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights."
Bilateral trade deal negotiations resumed with a New Delhi meeting between Commerce Ministry Special Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch, paving the way for the Goyal-Greer negotiations.
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