US Secretary of State Rubio Meets Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar Amid Trade Talks
The two officials discussed deepening energy cooperation and finalizing a trade deal that has stalled over tariffs and India's purchases of Russian oil.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Mumbai on Tuesday, with both nations aiming to revive stalled trade negotiations and deepen energy cooperation.
Rubio expressed optimism about reaching an agreement, telling reporters that the two countries are "about as close as you can be without having executed the agreement" and that a "small number of items left to wrap up" should be resolved shortly. The talks are expected to cover key areas of bilateral cooperation, including energy, trade, investment, and defense.
Trade talks between India and the U.S. have been stalled for months, largely due to tensions over U.S. tariffs and India's continued purchases of discounted Russian oil. Washington imposed tariffs of up to 50% on most Indian goods in August 2025 after initial trade talks broke down. While a framework agreement in February 2026 reduced the tariff rate to 18%, negotiations have since stalled.
India has argued that its final tariff rate should align with those of competing manufacturing countries, such as Vietnam. Meanwhile, India has stated its intention to expand energy imports, including from the U.S., while diversifying suppliers to ensure market stability and affordability.
Despite these trade-related tensions, the U.S. and India continue to strengthen their defense and technology ties, with Washington viewing India as a crucial counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Rubio's visit to India follows a trip to Uzbekistan aimed at promoting trade and ties with Central Asia. Before departing for India, Rubio acknowledged that while India has diversified its energy portfolio, its continued substantial purchases of Russian oil are a complex issue, though he also emphasized India's importance as an ally and partner to the United States.
According to the U.S. State Department, Rubio is scheduled to visit a refinery in Jamnagar city in Gujarat state on Wednesday and meet with business leaders. The Jamnagar facility, operated by Reliance Industries, is the world's largest refining complex. In March, President Donald Trump announced that Reliance Industries was investing $300 billion to establish an oil refinery in Brownsville, Texas.
This meeting between Rubio and Jaishankar marks a significant step in ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve trade disputes and bolster strategic cooperation between the two nations.