External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington, discussing trade, defence, critical minerals, and Indo-Pacific cooperation, reinforcing the growing India–US strategic and economic partnership.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday held separate high-level meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington, underlining the expanding depth and breadth of the India–United States strategic and economic partnership. The discussions covered a wide spectrum of bilateral, regional, and global issues, reflecting the growing convergence between the world’s two largest democracies.
Following his meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jaishankar described the engagement as productive and forward-looking. In a post on social media platform X, the External Affairs Minister said he was “delighted” to meet Rubio and noted that the talks involved a wide-ranging exchange on bilateral cooperation, as well as key regional and global developments.
According to Jaishankar, the discussions touched upon several core pillars of the India–US strategic partnership, including trade, energy, nuclear cooperation, defence collaboration, critical minerals, and advanced technology. These areas have increasingly defined the modern contours of bilateral relations, driven by shared economic interests and common strategic priorities.
Both sides also agreed on the need to accelerate follow-up engagements to ensure timely implementation of agreed initiatives. Jaishankar said the two leaders concurred on holding early meetings of various institutional mechanisms to advance shared objectives and maintain momentum in the partnership.
A readout from the US State Department highlighted that one of the key focus areas of the meeting was the formalisation of bilateral cooperation on critical minerals. The two leaders discussed collaboration in exploration, mining, and processing of critical minerals, which have emerged as a strategic priority for both countries amid global supply chain challenges and the push for clean energy transitions.
The meeting assumed added significance as it came a day after US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new trade agreement aimed at reducing trade barriers and expanding market access. The agreement seeks to unlock fresh economic opportunities while reinforcing mutual trust in trade and investment ties.
Secretary Rubio and Minister Jaishankar welcomed the trade deal, emphasising that closer economic cooperation is essential for sustaining long-term growth and enhancing energy security. The State Department noted that both leaders viewed economic engagement as a key driver of the broader strategic partnership.
Beyond bilateral issues, the talks also addressed regional and multilateral cooperation. Rubio and Jaishankar reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which brings together India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. Both sides acknowledged that peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region remain central to advancing shared strategic interests.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, continuing a series of high-level engagements aimed at reinforcing economic coordination. Describing the meeting as useful, Jaishankar said the discussions focused on advancing the India–US economic partnership and enhancing strategic cooperation in financial and economic domains.
The talks with Bessent underscored the importance of closer coordination between economic and strategic policymakers in both countries. Issues related to trade, investment, financial stability, and long-term economic resilience featured prominently in the discussions.
The twin meetings in Washington reflected the steadily broadening scope of India–US engagement, which now spans diplomacy, defence, energy, finance, and emerging technologies. Senior officials from both sides have consistently highlighted the need for cross-departmental coordination to convert political goodwill into tangible outcomes.
In recent years, India and the United States have significantly expanded cooperation in defence manufacturing, energy security, and advanced technologies such as semiconductors and clean energy solutions. Both countries have identified critical minerals as a priority area, given their strategic importance for renewable energy, electric mobility, and high-end manufacturing.
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The latest engagements also follow sustained dialogue between New Delhi and Washington on regional and global challenges, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. Officials from both capitals have repeatedly described the India–US partnership as a central pillar of their foreign policy frameworks, driven by shared democratic values and strategic interests.
As high-level interactions continue, both nations appear committed to deepening cooperation across multiple fronts, signalling a long-term vision for a resilient and comprehensive India–US partnership.
