New Delhi: India and the United States witnessed renewed warmth in bilateral ties during a key meeting held in New Delhi, where both sides held extensive discussions on trade, energy, defence, terrorism, and strategic cooperation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that a trade agreement between the two nations could be finalized soon.

During his four-day visit to India, Rubio said significant progress had been made on the trade deal, adding that the agreement would be beneficial, sustainable, and serve the interests of both countries. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised India’s concerns regarding changes in US visa, green card, and immigration policies.

Apart from trade, the discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in critical minerals, energy security, cross-border terrorism, and defence. Jaishankar stressed the importance of quickly finalizing an interim trade framework, calling it an important step toward a broader bilateral trade agreement.

Rubio clarified that the Trump administration’s trade policy is not aimed at targeting any specific country but is intended to rebalance global trade. He expressed hope that India would remain a key US partner in this effort.

Addressing reports of racist remarks against Indians in the US, Rubio stated that “every country has people who make irresponsible comments.” He praised the contribution of the Indian community, saying America has grown stronger through the contributions of people from around the world.

On energy security, Jaishankar noted that tensions in West Asia have impacted India’s energy security, making diversified energy sources essential for the country. He also called for a fair and balanced global energy market.

During the talks, India outlined its position through five key principles: support for dialogue and diplomacy, safe and uninterrupted maritime trade, adherence to international law, opposition to the misuse of market power and resources, and support for reliable global partnerships and resilient supply chains.

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