New Delhi [India], April 7 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a comprehensive discussion with US Secretary Marco Rubio, covering a range of key geopolitical issues and emphasizing the urgency of concluding the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Jaishankar shared:
“Good to speak with Secretary Marco Rubio today. Exchanged perspectives on the Indo-Pacific, the Indian Sub-continent, Europe, Middle East/West Asia and the Caribbean. Agreed on the importance of the early conclusion of the Bilateral Trade Agreement. Look forward to remaining in touch.”
The discussion reflects the growing momentum in India-US strategic relations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific—a region both nations view as critical to ensuring a free, open, and rules-based international order.
India and the US enjoy a broad-based strategic partnership rooted in shared democratic values and converging geopolitical and economic interests. Regular high-level interactions, including meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden, continue to drive cooperation across sectors such as defence, trade, technology, and climate action.
India’s designation as a Major Defence Partner in 2016, and its inclusion in the US Department of Commerce’s Tier-1 Strategic Trade Authorization (STA-1) in 2018, has further enhanced high-tech trade and defence interoperability between the two countries.
The diaspora connection remains a key pillar in the bilateral relationship, with over 4.4 million Indian-Americans contributing significantly across sectors in the US. Currently, five Indian-origin lawmakers serve in the US Congress, underscoring growing political influence.
Economic ties continue to strengthen, with the US ranking as India’s third-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in FY 2023–24, contributing nearly USD 5 billion. At the same time, Indian companies have invested over USD 40 billion in the US, creating 425,000 direct American jobs, according to a 2023 study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
The latest exchange between Jaishankar and Rubio highlights the strategic and economic depth of the India-US relationship and the shared commitment to fast-tracking agreements that can further boost bilateral cooperation. (ANI)
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