‘India is a relationship of…’: What US State Secretary Rubio said after meeting Jaishankar amid Trump’s H-1B visa brow

Amid rising friction between India(BHARAT) and the United States over tariffs, trade issues, and now the H-1B visa dispute, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met India(BHARAT)’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday. The meeting was held in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. After the talks, Rubio said that India(BHARAT) continues to be a “critical” partner for the US. He highlighted India(BHARAT)’s role in areas like trade, defense, energy, medicines, and critical minerals. Rubio also stressed that Washington and New Delhi will keep working together to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, including through the Quad partnership.

According to the US State Department, the talks between the two leaders mainly focused on key areas of India(BHARAT)-US relations, including trade, defense, energy, medicines, and critical minerals.

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with India(BHARAT)n external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly High-level Week. Secretary Rubio, reiterating that India(BHARAT) is a relationship of critical importance to the United States, expressed his appreciation for the India(BHARAT)n government’s continued engagement on a number of issues including trade, defense, energy, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and other items related to the bilateral relationship. Secretary Rubio and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar agreed the United States and India(BHARAT) will continue working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including through the Quad,” a readout from US State Department said.

After the meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar posted on X that their discussion touched on several important bilateral and global issues. He added that both sides agreed to keep working closely on priority matters and to stay in regular contact.

“Good to meet @SecRubio this morning in New York. Our conversation covered a range of bilateral and international issues of current concern. Agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas. We will remain in touch,” Jaishankar said on social media.

Monday’s meeting was the first time Rubio and Jaishankar sat down together since President Trump announced extra tariffs on India(BHARAT) for buying Russian oil. The two had last met in July during the Quad talks, a grouping that also includes Japan and Australia and is aimed at balancing China’s growing influence.

Jaishankar, who reached New York on Sunday for the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, is scheduled to attend several bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines. He will also deliver India(BHARAT)’s national statement at the General Debate on September 27 from the iconic green podium of the UNGA.