India-US Trade Deal Approaches Finalization, Jaishankar Declares
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has confirmed that the historic India-US trade deal is now in the concluding phases of detailed finalization and is expected to be completed imminently. This announcement came as he wrapped up what he described as a productive and positive visit to the United States, where he expressed gratitude to his counterpart, Marco Rubio, for the hospitality extended during his stay.
A New Era in Bilateral Relations
In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar emphasized that this agreement heralds a new phase in India-US bilateral ties, unlocking vast possibilities for the relationship. He indicated that this development will pave the way for renewed high-level engagements between the two nations in the upcoming months.
Our critical mineral cooperation is advancing rapidly, Jaishankar stated, highlighting key areas of focus. He further noted that strategic issues, defense, and energy will see increased engagement in the near future, underscoring a strong momentum in the partnership.
Focus on Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Resilience
During his visit, Jaishankar participated in a critical minerals ministerial hosted by Rubio, where he addressed several pressing issues. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), he pointed out the challenges of excessive concentration in supply chains and stressed the importance of de-risking these supplies through structured international cooperation.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal elaborated that Jaishankar also discussed India's efforts towards greater resilience via the national critical mineral mission. Additionally, he conveyed India's support for the FORGE (Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement) initiative, which was launched following the Critical Minerals Partnership.
Bilateral Meeting and Quad Cooperation
Jaishankar's itinerary included a bilateral meeting with Rubio, where both leaders welcomed the progress on the trade deal. They emphasized the importance of the two democracies collaborating to unlock new economic opportunities and advance shared energy security goals.
The US State Department reported that the meeting concluded with a commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quad. Both sides acknowledged that a prosperous Indo-Pacific region remains vital to advancing their shared interests.
Implications for Future Engagements
The resolution of trade differences between India and the US has sparked optimism for an early visit to India by President Donald Trump for the Quad summit. India is keen to host this summit as soon as possible, viewing it as a significant step in strengthening regional partnerships.
This development not only enhances economic ties but also reinforces the strategic alignment between the two nations, setting the stage for deeper collaboration in critical areas moving forward.
