Jaishankar, Rubio discuss critical minerals, strategic partnership in Washington

ISLAMABAD: Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar met United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Tuesday, with both sides highlighting efforts to deepen India-US strategic cooperation.

According to the US State Department, Rubio and Jaishankar discussed formalizing bilateral cooperation on critical minerals, including exploration, mining, and processing.

The State Department readout said the two leaders welcomed the trade deal reached between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stressing that closer economic ties could unlock new opportunities and strengthen shared energy security goals.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quad, emphasizing that a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region remains vital to advancing shared interests.

In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar said the meeting involved a wide-ranging exchange covering bilateral cooperation as well as regional and global issues.

He said discussions on the India-US strategic partnership included trade, energy, nuclear cooperation, defense, critical minerals, and technology. 

He also said both sides agreed on holding early meetings of various bilateral mechanisms to advance shared objectives.

The talks were held against the backdrop of a recently finalized bilateral trade deal between India and the United States, which has drawn attention across the region.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said he had agreed to a trade deal with India that would slash US tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50% in exchange for India lowering trade barriers, stopping its purchases of Russian oil, and buying oil instead from the US and potentially from Venezuela.

Following that, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on his X account, thanked the US president for the “wonderful announcement”, saying that “President Trump’s leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace.”

He added: “I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights.”

Russia, on the other hand, said it has not received any indication from India that it would stop buying Russian oil following the announcement of a trade deal with US President Donald Trump.