India has refuted a Bloomberg report alleging a meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last year amid stalled trade talks. The Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the claim during a media briefing, stating that no such meeting occurred.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted progress in India-US trade relations, mentioning an upcoming trade deal in its final stages. He emphasized the positive momentum in bilateral engagement between New Delhi and Washington, following his recent visit to the United States.
During his visit, Jaishankar participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Discussions included advancing critical mineral cooperation and strategic issues, with plans for further engagements on trade, defense, and energy in the future.
Meetings were held with senior US officials, including Secretary Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, focusing on strengthening the India-US strategic and economic partnership. Both sides agreed to expedite follow-up interactions to enhance shared interests.
