‘India is a relationship of critical importance to US’: Rubio after meeting Jaishankar

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met in New York on Monday to steady the bilateral relationship, just days after President Donald Trump announced a USD 100,000 fee for new H-1B visas, a move that unsettled India’s tech sector.

“India is a relationship of critical importance to the United States,” Rubio said during the meeting, according to a State Department readout. He highlighted New Delhi’s engagement on trade, defense, energy, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals, and pledged to “continue working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including through the Quad.”

Jaishankar echoed the need for sustained dialogue. “Our conversation covered a range of bilateral and international issues of current concern,” he posted on X after the meeting. “Agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas. We will remain in touch.”

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and was the first face-to-face encounter since renewed US tariffs on Indian goods earlier this summer. Both sides sought to project continuity despite rising economic irritants, including trade disputes and the sudden H-1B visa fee.

India is the largest beneficiary of H-1B visas, receiving 71 per cent of approvals last year. Analysts warn the new USD 100,000 fee could sharply increase costs for Indian IT firms that rely on the programme.

Tensions in trade have persisted since Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent, citing New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. The tariff move, part of US efforts to pressure Russia over Ukraine, came amid broader efforts to resume constructive dialogue, with both countries agreeing to continue talks on trade.