New York: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday to discuss a range of bilateral and international issues, including trade, H-1B visa policy, and energy cooperation. The meeting took place at Lotte New York Palace on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
Bilateral talks amid tariff row
This was the first face-to-face interaction between Jaishankar and Rubio following President Donald Trump’s imposition of an additional 25 per cent tariff on India’s purchases of Russian oil, taking the total levy to 50 per cent.
Rubio, in a statement issued by the US Department of State, described India as “a relationship of critical importance” and appreciated continued engagement on issues including trade, defence, energy, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals.
The meeting coincided with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal holding talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to accelerate negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement, aimed at doubling trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 from the current USD 191 billion.
H-1B visa fee discussion
Jaishankar also addressed concerns following the Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike, which triggered panic among Indian professionals and major tech companies. The White House later clarified that the fee applies only to new visa petitions and not to current H-1B visa holders re-entering the US.
“This is NOT an annual fee. It’s a one-time fee that applies only to the petition,” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said.
Trade talks and ongoing negotiations
Jaishankar’s visit coincides with efforts to conclude the bilateral trade agreement early, following five rounds of negotiations since February. Recent discussions between US Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch and his Indian counterpart Rajesh Agrawal in New Delhi aimed to advance the first tranche of the pact, initially targeted for completion by October-November 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump have emphasised the potential of the agreement to unlock “limitless potential” in the India-US partnership. India’s Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran expressed optimism that the tariff standoff with the US could be resolved within two months, projecting steady momentum in India’s domestic economy.
India-US trade relations
The US continues to be India’s largest trading partner, accounting for $131.84 billion in bilateral trade in 2024-25, representing 18 per cent of India’s total goods exports. Discussions on trade, defence, and energy cooperation are critical to strengthening ties amid geopolitical and economic challenges.