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Jaishankar, Rubio welcome India–US trade deal; discuss energy, defence, nuclear and critical minerals cooperation
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday welcomed the trade deal reached between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and discussed formalising bilateral cooperation in critical minerals exploration, mining and processing during their meeting in Washington DC.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday welcomed the trade deal reached between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and discussed formalising bilateral cooperation in critical minerals exploration, mining and processing during their meeting in Washington DC.
Rubio held bilateral talks with Jaishankar at the US State Department, ahead of the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial, scheduled to be convened by the United States on Wednesday.
Following the meeting, Jaishankar posted on X, stating:
“Delighted to meet US @SecRubio this afternoon. A wide-ranging conversation that covered our bilateral cooperation agenda, regional and global issues.”
He added that discussions focused on key pillars of the India-US Strategic Partnership, including trade, energy, nuclear cooperation, defence, critical minerals and technology.
“Agreed on early meetings of various mechanisms to advance our shared interests,” Jaishankar said.
According to an official readout issued by State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, both leaders “welcomed the trade deal reached between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi” and emphasised the importance of democracies working together to unlock new economic opportunities and strengthen shared energy security goals.
The readout further noted that Jaishankar and Rubio discussed formalising bilateral cooperation on critical minerals, a sector considered vital for clean energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and national security.
The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation through the Quad grouping—comprising India, the United States, Australia and Japan—and underscored that a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region remains central to advancing shared strategic interests.
In a post on X, Rubio said he met Jaishankar to discuss bilateral cooperation on critical minerals and efforts to unlock new economic opportunities between the two countries, while also commending the India-US trade agreement.
Jaishankar is on an official visit to the United States from February 2 to 4 and will participate in the Critical Minerals Ministerial, which aims to strengthen and diversify global supply chains for essential minerals.
The meeting came a day after President Trump announced on Truth Social that India and the US had finalised a trade deal under which Washington agreed to reduce reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent.
At the ministerial, the US will host delegations from partner nations to advance collective efforts in securing critical mineral supply chains. The State Department described the gathering as a significant step towards collaboration in areas crucial for technological innovation, economic resilience and national security.
US Vice President J D Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Senior Director for Global Supply Chains David Copley, and Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg are expected to deliver opening remarks at the event.
