Jaishankar discusses trade deal, other key issues with US leaders in Washington

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in Washington, met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and discussed the broad contours of the Indo-US trade deal that was reached between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

In a social media post on ‘X’ after meeting Rubio, Jaishankar said, ‘’Delighted to meet US Secy. of State Rubio this afternoon. A wide ranging conversation that covered our bilateral cooperation agenda, regional and global issues. Facets of India-US Strategic Partnership discussed included trade, energy, nuclear, defence, critical minerals and technology. Agreed on the early meetings of various mechanisms to advance our shared interests.’’

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A spokesperson for the US Secretary of State said Rubio and Jaishankar discussed formalising bilateral cooperation on critical minerals, exploration, mining and processing.

The two leaders welcomed the trade deal and emphasised the importance of the two democratic countries working together to unlock new economic opportunities and advance their shared energy security goals.

They also expressed their commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quad. They acknowledged that a prosperous Indo-Pacific region remains vital to advancing the shared interests of the two countries.

Both Jaishankar and Rubio played a key role in putting back on track the trade negotiations after some acrimonious developments in bilateral ties. At one stage, when the deal appeared near impossible given the stalemate in ties, Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal undertook some quiet diplomacy with their American interlocutors and never gave up until it fructified.

Jaishankar, meanwhile, also met Treasury Secretary Bessent and later wrote on ‘X’, ‘’Had a useful discussion on advancement of India-US economic partnership and strategic cooperation.’’

The American leader later wrote on ‘X’, ‘’Enjoyed today’s meeting with Minister S Jaishankar of India. During our talks, we addressed the importance of supply chains, as well as other national and economic security issues of mutual interest.’’