Marco Rubio Arrives in India: Jaishankar Meeting to Focus on Trade Deal, Defence and Russian Oil

India and the United States are expected to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in defence, security, technology, energy and critical minerals when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai on Tuesday. The meeting comes at a time when bilateral relations are facing challenges over trade, tariffs, energy supplies and other policy differences.

Rubio is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon with a large business delegation following his visit to Uzbekistan. This will be his second visit to India since May, when he held bilateral talks with Jaishankar and participated in a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi.

His visit also comes days after US President Donald Trump waived provisions of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA), which authorised punitive tariffs against countries purchasing Russian oil. The move is significant for India, given its energy ties with Russia and concerns about the potential impact of US sanctions on bilateral relations and global energy markets.

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According to people familiar with the matter, Jaishankar and Rubio are expected to focus on sustaining engagement between the two countries and advancing cooperation across several strategic and economic sectors.

India-US Talks to Focus on Trade, Energy and Critical Minerals

A key priority of the meeting will be to maintain momentum in India-US relations despite the differences that have emerged over the past year. Discussions are expected to cover trade, energy, technology, defence and security, along with cooperation on critical minerals.

India has already communicated its concerns to the US administration regarding the SRIA provisions and their possible consequences for bilateral ties and international energy markets.

The two sides are also expected to explore ways to strengthen economic cooperation and identify areas where progress can be made despite continuing disagreements. The talks come as negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement appear to have slowed, with officials on both sides seeking a mutually acceptable way forward.

The discussions could provide an opportunity for both governments to assess outstanding issues and identify practical steps to improve cooperation.

Jaishankar and Rubio to Discuss Ukraine and West Asia Conflicts

Regional and international developments are also expected to feature prominently in the discussions. Jaishankar and Rubio are likely to review the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia and examine their impact on global food, fuel and fertiliser supplies.

India has proposed a ceasefire framework for the Russia-Ukraine conflict aimed at protecting essential supply routes. The proposal seeks to maintain the movement of energy and food supplies while preventing attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea.

Disruptions caused by these conflicts have raised concerns about energy security, food availability and supply chains. Both countries are expected to discuss these challenges and explore areas where their positions and interests could align.