Jaishankar, Rubio discuss ties - India-US trade deal nears final stage

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, where the two leaders discussed a range of issues including India-US bilateral ties, regional developments, and global challenges.

Sharing details of the meeting on social media platform X, Jaishankar wrote, “Glad to meet @SecRubio this morning in Kuala Lumpur. Appreciated the discussion on our bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues.”

The high-level meeting comes as trade negotiations between India and the United States continue to make progress. While this meeting did not mark the conclusion of the talks, both sides appear to be nearing a breakthrough.

Last week, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the discussions on the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) are “progressing well,” with both countries “converging on most points.” He added, “I think we are very close,” referring to the agreement first proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in 2020.

India has taken a cautious but confident approach in these discussions. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently said New Delhi would not rush into any trade deal or accept conditions that could limit its economic choices. He emphasized that trade agreements are not just about tariffs or market access, but about “trust, long-term ties, and sustainable frameworks for cooperation.”

Goyal noted that India’s trade policy focuses on lasting partnerships rather than short-term gains. “Trade deals are for a longer duration. It’s not only about tariffs, it’s also about trust and a relationship,” he said.

Monday’s meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio is seen as another important step in strengthening India-US relations and signals that both sides are now close to finalizing a long-awaited trade agreement.