Rubio, Jaishankar discuss trade pact as US seeks deeper India ties

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met in Mumbai on Wednesday to advance bilateral engagement across multiple strategic domains, with American officials signalling priority on concluding a comprehensive trade deal.

The high-level discussions encompassed trade relations, energy cooperation, defence collaboration and technology partnerships, reflecting the breadth of the India-US relationship. Rubio's visit and the momentum around trade negotiations indicate Washington's commitment to deepening economic ties with India as both nations navigate evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.

The meeting comes amid ongoing efforts to formalise commercial arrangements between the world's largest and fifth-largest economies. Trade discussions have been a focal point in recent India-US diplomatic engagements, with both sides seeking to expand market access and strengthen supply chain resilience in critical sectors.

Defence and technology cooperation featured prominently in the talks, reflecting shared interests in security challenges and emerging technologies. Energy security also emerged as a significant discussion point, particularly as both nations work to diversify energy sources and strengthen cooperation in renewable and conventional energy sectors.

The Mumbai engagement is expected to provide momentum for ongoing negotiations and signals the priority both countries place on accelerating their strategic partnership in the coming period.