Strengthening Ties: India and US Forge New Trade and Strategic Alliances

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is poised to engage in high-stakes discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Department of State on Tuesday. This meeting, part of Jaishankar’s three-day US visit, aligns with his participation in the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial, set for February 4 in Washington.

The impending ministerial, as announced by the US Department of State, aims to gather international partners to fortify cooperation on critical mineral supply chains. The primary focus is to enhance global collaboration for secure and resilient supply pathways vital for economic stability, national security, and innovation-led growth.

In the backdrop of this diplomatic engagement, Jaishankar welcomed the fresh India-US trade agreement. He expressed optimism, highlighting its potential to generate jobs, drive economic expansion, and foster innovation. This trade pact, a result of recent discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump, involves a reciprocal tariff reduction on Indian goods.