India-US trade, defence ties discussed in phone call between Jaishankar and Rubio

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which the two discussed cooperation in areas including trade, critical minerals, nuclear energy and defence.

The conversation came a day after newly appointed US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said that there would be contact between the two sides on the trade issue.

Jaishankar said he had a “good conversation” with Rubio and that they agreed to remain in touch.

“Just concluded a good conversation with @SecRubio. Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy,” Jaishankar said in a social media post.

“Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues,” he added.

India-US relations have witnessed a major downturn after President Donald Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25 per cent punitive levy linked to Indian purchases of Russian oil.

Both sides held multiple rounds of negotiations last year to finalise a bilateral trade agreement. However, the deal could not be concluded, largely due to Washington’s demand for greater access to India’s farm and dairy sectors.

Addressing an event at the US embassy on Monday, Gor said India and the US are actively engaged on the proposed trade deal.

“Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow,” he said.

Gor also said that India is essential to the United States.

“No partner is more essential than India. In the months and years ahead, it is my goal as ambassador to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each bringing strength, respect and leadership to the table,” he said.

The phone conversation between Jaishankar and Rubio also took place on the day President Trump announced that a 25 per cent tariff would be imposed on countries doing business with Iran.

Sources in the Indian government said the new tariff is expected to have “minimal impact” on India, as the volume of trade between India and Iran is currently less than USD 2 billion.

Iran does not figure among India’s top 50 global trading partners, the sources said.

India’s trade with Iran stood at USD 1.6 billion last year, accounting for about 0.15 per cent of India’s total trade, they added.