Washington (TDI): Washington hosted high-level talks between the United States and India on Tuesday, focusing on cooperation in critical minerals, trade, and broader strategic relations.
The discussions came shortly after the conclusion of a long-awaited US-India trade agreement, which reduces tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent following nearly a year of negotiations.
While the deal has drawn regional attention, diplomatic observers in Washington note that it is unlikely to impact the recently strengthened ties between Pakistan and the United States, as those relations operate independently of India.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during the latter’s three-day official visit.
According to a US State Department statement, both explored “formalizing bilateral cooperation on critical minerals exploration, mining, and processing,” reflecting the growing strategic importance of energy transition resources amid global supply chain shifts.
Read More: Jaishankar, Rubio Agree on Sustained India–US Dialogue
The talks preceded the inaugural critical minerals ministerial scheduled for Wednesday. Both sides welcomed the new trade agreement and emphasized the role of democratic cooperation in unlocking economic opportunities and enhancing energy security.
On social media, Secretary Rubio highlighted discussions on critical minerals and new economic opportunities, while Minister Jaishankar described the meeting as “wide-ranging,” covering trade, energy, defense, technology, and strategic partnership mechanisms.
Read More: From Tensions to Trust: US, India Sign 10-Year Defense Pact
Both reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), involving the US, India, Japan, and Australia, with a shared goal of ensuring a prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
