India and the US are all set to open up new economic opportunities as the two nations formalized bilateral cooperation in Washington DC on Tuesday. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and welcomed the trade deal struck between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Formalizing” bilateral cooperation in the field of critical mineral exploration and extraction, the two leaders pledged to expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quad. The meeting comes ahead of the critical minerals ministerial meeting scheduled for February 4.
Acknowledging the importance of Indo-Pacific cooperation in advancing shared interests, US Secretary Marco Rubio said in a post on X: “Met with Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs @DrSJaishankar to discuss our bilateral cooperation on critical mineral exploration and work together to open new economic opportunities between our two countries. We also appreciated the US-India trade agreement.”
In an interview with X, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wrote: “Delighted to meet US @SecRubio this afternoon. Wide-ranging conversation that covered our bilateral cooperation agenda, regional and global issues. Discussed aspects of India-US strategic partnership included trade, energy, nuclear, defence, critical minerals and technology. Agreed on early meetings of various mechanisms to advance our common interests.”
In another post, the External Affairs Minister said: “Delighted to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent today in Washington DC. @SecScottBessent. Had a useful discussion on the development of the India-US economic partnership and strategic cooperation.”
“Unlock new economic opportunities,” says the US Department
The US State Department said in a press release that both nations are committed to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quad. A report on the bilateral meeting, provided by the State Department’s principal deputy spokesman Tommy Pigott, said: “Secretary Rubio and Secretary Jaishankar welcomed the trade agreement reached between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. Both leaders emphasized the importance of our democracies working together to unlock new economic opportunities and advance our shared energy security goals.”
Jaishankar is on a three-day state visit to the United States. The meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio came a day after Trump’s groundbreaking announcement on Monday. In a post on Truth Social, he said that India and the US have agreed to a trade deal and the reciprocal tariff has been significantly reduced to 18 percent from the previous 25 percent.
US Vice President JD Vance, Rubio, Special Assistant to the President of the United States and Senior Director for Global Supply Chains David Copley and Deputy Secretary of the Economy Jacob Helberg will deliver opening remarks at today’s opening meeting of Critical Minerals Ministers. In an effort to diversify critical mineral supply chains, the US will welcome delegations to strengthen joint efforts.
