Jaishankar, Marco Rubio to hold talks in Mumbai tomorrow amid push for India-US trade deal: What’s on the agenda? | Today’s news
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will act on October 20.
The Mumbai meeting will focus on strengthening the comprehensive global strategic partnership, with discussions expected to cover energytrade, defensecritical and emerging technologies and several other key areas of bilateral cooperation, news agency PTI said, quoting a government spokesperson.
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Before hosting Rubio, Jaishankar will meet UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also on an official visit to India.
“On October 19-20, 2026, the Foreign Minister will welcome the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to Mumbai for an official visit. On October 20, the Foreign Minister will hold talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and attend the 250th anniversary of the United Guest of Honor,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Randhir said last week. Jaiswal.
To review Indo-US relations
Secretary Rubio’s upcoming visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review Indo-US relations and discuss ways to “further strengthen our comprehensive global strategic partnership that we have with the United States,” an MEA spokesperson said.
On Monday, Oct. 19, Rubio opens talks with key Central Asian states before heading to India for a trip to a region with vast natural resources and China as a key competitor.
Rubio arrived in Samarkand on Uzbekistan’s Silk Road late Sunday to prepare for talks with top officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and his Uzbek hosts.
The leaders of the five former Soviet republics met with US President Donald Trump at the White House last November.
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Leading a delegation that includes 200 business executives, Rubio will visit the ancient city of Samarkand, a historic site between China and the West, before opening talks focused on the modern-day rivalry with China.
The discussion between Rubio and Jaishankar in Mimbai are expected to cover key areas bilateral cooperation including energy, trade, investment, defence, critical and emerging technologies and other areas of common interest, he added.
The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments. “The visit will provide an opportunity to maintain high-level engagement between the two countries deposit our common priorities,” Jaiswal said.
Why Mumbai?
In a meeting held in Mumbai, an MEA spokeswoman said it had been the practice for the last decade that “we have hosted foreign dignitaries outside Delhi”.
“To give a few examples, the Prime Minister hosted the Prime Minister of Spain in Baroda (Vadodara). He hosted Chancellor Merz in Ahmedabad. The Prime Minister of Mauritius hosted him in Varanasi and then the External Affairs Minister hosted a meeting of foreign ministers in Goa. He hosted the Foreign Minister of Botswana in Kevadia and also at a conference in Amsarit, Gujarat. He said.
This was just to give a few examples of such meetings that took place outside Delhi, he added.
During an interactive session at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum here on Thursday, US envoy Sergio Gor said Rubio will meet Indian government officials in Mumbai and “we expect Minister Dr S Jaishankar to be there”.
Gore’s comments sent waves online and also drew a sharp response from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who on Friday questioned the government over Minister Rubio’s proposed meeting with Indian government officials in Mumbai next week, claiming MEA officials were “confused”.
The prime minister also said Narendra Modi he might want to explain the matter.
Gor also said Thursday that Secretary Rubio’s upcoming visit to India will be a little more business-focused, and he will meet with “some people” at Reliance during the trip to Reliance. Jamnagar in Gujarat.
On the proposed bilateral trade agreement between India and the US, Jaiswal said both sides “are committed to closing” the pact soon, referring to the remarks of the External Affairs Minister and the Union Commerce Minister on its progress in the last two days.
Critical Economic and Political Objectives: Expert
The two sides continue to try to iron out differences on the proposed agreement and talks are moving towards a “landing point”, Jaishankar said in an earlier session at the conference. Bloomberg New Economy Forumwith the basic foundations of the bilateral strategic partnership remaining unchanged.
Gore said on Thursday that negotiations on a bilateral trade deal were moving at an “unbelievable pace” and “big things are being done”, stressing that he was confident both sides would pass the pact.
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Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev said Rubio’s visit to Jamnagar and Mumbai carries major economic and political objectives, particularly focused on corporate investment and the coming momentum of the US in the medium term.
In an interview with ANI, Sachdev analyzed the ongoing political and corporate engagements between India and the United States. concentrate on a diplomatic visit.
“Both sides continue to work to iron out differences in the proposed agreement and negotiations are moving towards a ‘landing point’.”
“A visit, I think Marco Rubiominister, is definitely a good sign, a good signal in US-India relations. Among other things, I have one speculation about his visit and the objectives of his visit. I am investigating why he is going to Jamnagar. This is an important visit,” he said.
