India-US Trade Deal, Tariffs Discussed by Jaishankar & Rubio
By Business Desk
EAM Jaishankar and US Secretary Rubio met in Manila to discuss the India-US trade deal, tariffs, and bilateral issues, emphasizing the finalization of an interim trade agreement.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila on Wednesday to discuss the proposed India-US trade deal and ongoing tariff concerns. The high-level discussions also covered critical areas of the comprehensive global strategic partnership between the two nations.
The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Quad foreign ministers’ meetings. This engagement took place hours after US President Donald Trump threatened steep tariffs on generic medicines, prompting concerns among Indian drugmakers.
Jaishankar stated the discussions focused on several priority areas for the India-US partnership. These included trade and tariffs, energy cooperation, defence and security, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence.
Rubio confirmed talks on regional security, the Quad, trade, and defence agreements, underscoring the vital importance of the relationship with India. US State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott further noted discussions on developments in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific, agreeing on the necessity to conclude the nearly complete interim trade deal.
Beyond US Bilateral Engagements
Beyond the US discussions, Minister Jaishankar engaged in several other significant bilateral meetings. He met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, observing a gradual “normalising” of India-China ties since October 2024.
This normalization was attributed to peace along the border, resumed direct flights, and changes to the visa regime. Jaishankar, however, highlighted the need to address other “important dimensions” of the bilateral relationship, such as fair market access and trade balance.
In a separate meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Jaishankar conveyed India’s strong concerns regarding the safety of seafarers in the Black Sea region. This followed a Russian missile strike that tragically killed four Indian sailors.
Jaishankar also participated in the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting, where India joined its partners in advocating for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The group reaffirmed ASEAN’s centrality amidst China’s increasing military assertiveness in the South China Sea.
Additional bilateral meetings included counterparts from Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Canada, and New Zealand. Jaishankar called for deeper India-ASEAN cooperation amidst global turmoil, aiming to help nations “de-risk and diversify” their economic and strategic dependencies.