Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Discuss Trade, Defence in New York
Amid high-level UN sessions, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York to discuss critical bilateral issues. The talks focused on trade, defence, energy, and critical minerals. This was their first in-person meeting since the US imposed new tariffs on India related to Russian oil purchases and introduced a steep H-1B visa fee, highlighting the importance of sustained dialogue to navigate the complex relationship and advance mutual interests.
Unpacked:
The US imposed new tariffs on India as a response to India's continued purchases of Russian oil, aiming to pressure India to align with US sanctions policy against Russia. This move reflects growing US concerns about India's economic ties with Russia amid geopolitical tensions over the Ukraine conflict.
Recent US policies, such as higher H-1B visa fees and tariffs, have created friction in US-India relations, shifting focus from collaboration to points of disagreement. These measures affect India's tech workforce in the US and complicate ongoing negotiations on trade and defense cooperation.
The main areas of mutual interest discussed were trade, defense cooperation, energy partnerships, and securing critical minerals. Both countries see value in deepening ties in these sectors to promote economic growth, technological advancement, and regional security, especially in the Indo-Pacific.
US-India relations are increasingly significant for global geopolitics, particularly as both countries seek to counterbalance China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. Strategic cooperation between them shapes regional security, trade flows, and technological standards, impacting broader international alignments.