NEW YORK: Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, agreeing on the need for sustained engagement to advance cooperation in key areas despite recent strains in bilateral ties.
Jaishankar, posting on X after the meeting, said the two sides had discussed both bilateral and international issues and had “agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas.” He did not provide specifics, but the statement underscored both governments’ efforts to stabilize relations at a time of friction.
The meeting marked the first high-level encounter between Jaishankar and Rubio since US President Donald Trump announced a controversial $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas earlier this month. The move has drawn sharp criticism in India, which relies heavily on the programme to place highly skilled workers in American technology and financial firms.
Tensions have also been heightened by Trump’s decision to impose additional tariffs on Indian exports in response to New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil. Washington has repeatedly warned India over its energy ties with Moscow, while India argues that it must safeguard its economic and strategic interests.
Monday’s talks followed the last meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio in July during a Quad ministerial with Japan and Australia. The Quad framework has become central to both New Delhi and Washington’s shared push to counterbalance China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Diplomatic observers said the discussions in New York suggest that while differences over trade and energy remain unresolved, both India and the United States see value in maintaining dialogue. With Washington keen to keep New Delhi close in its broader Asia strategy, and India seeking to diversify partnerships amid global turbulence, the two sides are expected to keep engagement channels open.
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