External affairs minister S Jaishankar met his US counterpart Marco Rubio in Mumbai, agreeing to further expand cooperation in energy, defence and technology ties and committing to an early conclusion of the trade deal still under discussion.While Rubio emphasised the role that the US can play in the diversification of India’s energy and defence supplies, Jaishankar said in a post on X that they also discussed people-to-people ties, alluding to India’s concerns over immigration and H-1B governance issues.Speaking at the US anniversary celebrations later, Jaishankar said in Rubio’s presence that Indian talent and skills have helped shape the tech era in the US.The ministers met ahead of a likely meeting between PM Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump next month in Manila on the margins of the ASEAN summit, and also before Modi’s visit to the US in December for the G20. Both sides are also working to schedule a Quad leaders’ summit in Manila.A State Department readout said Jaishankar and Rubio discussed regional and global issues, including developments in West Asia. Rubio reiterated that increased energy trade with the US can play a transformative role in diversifying India’s supply chains while meeting its sizable consumer demand.Rubio’s second visit to India is taking place against the backdrop of US’ Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act meant to penalise countries purchasing Russian oil and Trump’s subsequent suspension temporarily of related tariffs. India maintains that its oil procurement is essential not just for its own energy security but also stability of the global markets. Rubio lauded “substantial progress” made by India in diversifying its energy portfolio.Rubio focused on reducing India’s reliance on Russia also in defence as he stressed deepening of defence interoperability, framing enhanced technology purchases by India as a win-win situation for both nations.According to the US readout, Rubio also commended recent progress in bilateral defense and civil nuclear cooperation, and advocated increased purchase of US technologies and systems, which can enhance the security and prosperity of both countries.Rubio said in a post on X that he and Jaishankar reaffirmed the importance of advancing the US-India strategic partnership. The ministers will meet again on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta later this month. Both will also join their counterparts from Japan and Australia for a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers in Atlanta.According to the MEA, Jaishankar and Rubio welcomed the progress made in negotiations on the India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and reaffirmed their commitment to working towards its early conclusion. Rubio said both sides were “as close as you can be without having an executed agreement”.“I think there’s a small number of items left to wrap up. So, I think that will happen shortly…and hopefully have some good news to announce fairly soon, and perhaps the leaders can sign it thereafter,” said Rubio, addressing the US travelling media.
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Shortly after his arrival, Rubio laid a wreath at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Hotel to honor the 26/11 terrorist attacks victims 166 victims, strongly condemning the attacks and reaffirming the US “unwavering solidarity” with the people of India.“Secretary Rubio underscored the Trump Administration’s commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and ensuring that those responsible for acts of terrorism are brought to justice, including individuals facing charges for their roles in planning the 2008 Mumbai attacks,” said the State Department, without naming Pakistan.According to the Indian readout, the visit reflected the sustained momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries, underscoring the importance both sides attach to further advancing the India-US COMPACT for the 21st century. Modi and Trump had launched the COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) initiative last year to drive transformative change across key pillars of bilateral cooperation.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
