India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met up with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday, shaking hands warmly on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, or UNGA. This face-to-face chat marks their first since trade tensions heated up between India and the US over tariffs on Indian goods tied to India’s purchase of Russian oil.
The meeting highlights ongoing efforts to boost India-US relations, which hit some bumps in recent months but are now on the mend. Both countries are pushing hard for a new trade agreement. India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently led a team to Washington for talks, and the US imposed 25% tariffs on Indian products in July amid negotiations. Another 25% tariff followed over the Russian oil issue, but the two sides have restarted discussions on a Bilateral Investment Treaty that could benefit everyone.
A statement from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry noted positive talks during a September 16 visit by officials from the US Trade Representative’s office. Both agreed to ramp up work toward sealing the deal. Jaishankar and Rubio last met in July during the 10th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Washington, and they also talked in January. US President Donald Trump recently voiced confidence that they’ll sort out a smooth agreement without major hurdles.
Meanwhile, Indian professionals in the US are breathing a sigh of relief after confusion over H-1B visas for skilled tech workers. Trump signed an executive order slapping a $100,000 fee on these visas, but the White House quickly clarified it only hits new applicants, not those already holding them.
Earlier this month, during a Senate confirmation hearing for Sergio Gor—Trump’s nominee for US Ambassador to India—Rubio praised the partnership. He called India one of America’s top global relationships, especially for shaping the world’s future. “In the 21st century, the story will be written in the Indo-Pacific,” Rubio said, adding that the US even renamed its military command for the region. “India is at the core of that.”
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