S Jaishankar with Marco Rubio
NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met US secretary of state Marco Rubio in Washington, ahead of the critical minerals ministerial scheduled for February 4. The meeting came during Jaishankar’s three-day visit to the United States and a day after India and the US announced a trade deal under which Washington agreed to cut tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent. The United States is set to host the inaugural critical minerals ministerial on Wednesday (local time) in Washington DC, bringing together delegations from more than 50 countries to deepen cooperation on securing and diversifying global critical mineral supply chains, according to a notice issued earlier by the US State Department’s Office of the Spokesperson. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar also met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with the two sides discussing ways to advance the India-US economic partnership and strengthen strategic cooperation. “Pleased to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington DC today. Had a useful discussion on advancement of India – US economic partnership and strategic cooperation,” the External Affairs Minister said in a post on X. Ahead of the ministerial, the US Department of State said Secretary Rubio will convene partners from across the world to bolster collaboration on critical mineral supply chains. Rubio will chair the ministerial, with participation expected from delegations representing over 50 nations. The gathering has been described as a landmark effort to build collective momentum for cooperation on securing critical minerals that are vital for technological innovation, economic growth, and national security. The event will open with remarks by US Vice President JD Vance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other senior US officials. Jaishankar’s visit also comes against the backdrop of the India-US trade agreement announced on Monday following a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. Under the agreement, the US will lower reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from 25 per cent, with immediate effect. Welcoming the deal, Jaishankar said it would boost job creation, spur economic growth, promote innovation, and strengthen India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. In a post on X, the External Affairs Minister said, “Welcome the announcements on bilateral trade following the conversation between PM Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump. This will create more jobs, spur growth and promote innovation in both economies. It will strengthen ‘Make in India’ endeavours and encourage trusted technology ties. The opportunities in our economic engagement are truly vast and we are confident of realising them. A robust economic relationship is the strongest foundation for our strategic partnership.”
