US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, expressed Washington’s readiness to strengthen ties with New Delhi following recent high-level engagements between the two nations. Gor highlighted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s meetings in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, emphasizing the potential for further enhancing the relationship. EAM Jaishankar, during his US visit, participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial led by Marco Rubio, advocating for international cooperation to mitigate risks in critical mineral supply chains.
Delving into strategic and economic matters, EAM Jaishankar engaged in extensive discussions with Marco Rubio and Scott Bessent, covering various aspects of the India-US partnership. The talks encompassed trade, energy, nuclear cooperation, defense ties, critical minerals, and technology collaboration, reflecting the broad spectrum of their strategic relationship. Both sides agreed to expedite follow-up meetings across different mechanisms to advance mutual interests, underscoring the commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
The discussions also revolved around formalizing cooperation on critical minerals exploration, mining, and processing, a key element of the economic and strategic relationship between India and the US. This meeting coincided with the announcement of a trade agreement aimed at enhancing market access and reducing barriers between the two largest democracies globally. Secretary Rubio and EAM Jaishankar hailed the agreement, emphasizing the significance of joint efforts in unlocking new economic prospects and promoting shared energy security objectives.
Furthermore, the conversations touched upon regional and multilateral aspects of the partnership, with a focus on expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. Rubio and EAM Jaishankar reiterated their dedication to fostering a prosperous Indo-Pacific region to advance common interests and objectives. EAM Jaishankar also met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington, describing the discussions as fruitful and centered on bolstering economic and strategic collaboration between India and the US.
