US appreciates India’s continued engagement on trade, energy, pharma: Marco Rubio
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on, on the day he meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (not pictured) at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
BING GUAN
The US appreciates India’s continued engagement on issues including trade, energy, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and other items related to the bilateral relationship, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said.
Rubio’s meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly high-level week on Monday was significant given the ongoing turbulence in bilateral relations, especially on the economic front.
“Secretary Rubio and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar agreed the United States and India will continue working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including through the Quad,” per a statement issued by the US Department of State.
The timing of the meeting was important for India as it seeks to iron out a number of issues that have cropped up recently hurting its interests. Last month, the US imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, which includes a 25 per cent penalty for buying oil from Russia.
The US also decided to withdraw the exemption given to Iran applying to investments in Chabahar port from September 29, which could lead to India’s investments in the port taking a big hit.
US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose a $100,000 fee on H1-B visas for skilled foreign workers is set to affect Indian IT companies doing business in the country.
Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is also in the US to meet his American counterparts to take forward the trade talks that have been facing glitches due to imposition of high tariffs on India and other issues such as US demand for market access in sensitive agriculture and dairy products.
“Secretary Rubio, reiterating that India is a relationship of critical importance to the United States, expressed his appreciation for the Indian government’s continued engagement on a number of issues including trade, defence, energy, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and other items related to the bilateral relationship,” the US statement noted.
Published on September 23, 2025
