• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Jaishankar-Rubio Meet: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar is on a high-level visit to the United States, where he will be meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Monday. The meeting, at 11 am EST (8:30 pm IST), takes place at the crucial moment for India-US relations that has been recently strained due to trade tariffs and changes in visa policies.

Jaishankar's visit is his first official trip to the US since Washington slapped a heavy 50 percent tariff on Indian imports, amid concerns over India’s purchase of Russian oil. Alongside him, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is also in the US to engage in trade negotiations with American counterparts in Washington, DC, and New York, including a meeting with USTR Jemisson Greer. Jaishankar and Rubio have met twice this year, first in January on the sidelines of a Quad meeting, and again in July during the 10th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Washington, DC. Monday’s meeting will be crucial in charting the future of India-US economic and strategic cooperation.

Emphasis On Bilateral Relations And Trade Deals

The upcoming dialogue between Rubio and Jaishankar is under close observation by policymakers and the business sector as well. The meeting is targeted to further boost bilateral ties and resolve current trade disputes. Officials have stated that it is the first one-on-one meeting between the two leaders since the trade tensions were escalated.

• Conversation on resolving trade disputes in the wake of the US tariffs levied on Indian products.
• Enhancing strategic and political relationships, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Resolving H-1B visa issues since the Trump administration increased the application fee to USD 100,000 for fresh applicants.
• Bilateral cooperation on multilateral matters, such as the UNGA agenda.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is also heading an Indian delegation to hold formal trade talks to seal a mutually favorable pact. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated that earlier meetings with US trade representatives on September 16 yielded "positive discussions" and the two sides decided to step up efforts to seal a deal.

Strengthening Strategic Partnership

Goyal's visit is intended to clear the uncertainty over H-1B visas for Indian professionals as well. After an executive order issued by US President Donald Trump, the fee for new skilled worker visas was increased to USD 100,000. The White House clarified that the fee is applicable to only new applicants, not to existing visa holders.

ALSO READ: Afraid Of Our Talents': Piyush Goyal Takes Swipe At US After H1-B Visa Fee Hike

Jaishankar will also have various bilateral and multilateral meetings during UNGA week and make India's national statement at the General Debate on September 27. On Sunday, he met with Philippine Foreign Minister Theresa P. Lazaro and addressed cooperation in political, defense, and maritime security areas.

ALSO READ: Indian Officials Engaging With US Administration, IT Industry To Find Solution Of H1-B Visa Fee Hike: Report

The New York meetings constitute an important step in re-calibrating India-US relations by balancing economic stakes with strategic cooperation in light of universal challenges.