India and the United States moved closer to deepening their strategic and economic partnership on Tuesday as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a series of high-level meetings in Washington, focusing on critical minerals cooperation and the newly concluded India-US trade deal. The discussions signaled a clear intent by both nations to strengthen collaboration in areas that are becoming increasingly vital to global supply chains and energy security.
During his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jaishankar welcomed the trade deal reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. Both leaders described the agreement as a positive step toward unlocking fresh economic opportunities and reinforcing trust between the world’s two largest democracies. The trade pact, which follows months of negotiations, is expected to give a boost to bilateral commerce and provide greater certainty to businesses on both sides.
A key focus of the talks was cooperation on critical minerals, which are essential for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, semiconductors, and defence manufacturing. Jaishankar committed to expanding bilateral and multilateral collaboration on critical minerals through the Quad framework, which brings together India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. The move is aimed at diversifying supply chains and reducing overdependence on limited sources at a time when global demand for these resources is rising sharply.
Rubio, in a statement shared after the meeting, said the two sides discussed ways to advance cooperation in critical minerals exploration and agreed to work together to unlock new economic opportunities. He also commended the India-US trade deal, underlining its importance for economic growth and shared energy security goals.
Jaishankar described the interaction as wide-ranging, covering not just trade and critical minerals but also energy, nuclear cooperation, defence, technology, and broader regional and global issues. He noted that both countries agreed on the need for early meetings of various bilateral mechanisms to ensure steady progress across all areas of the strategic partnership.
The External Affairs Minister also met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, where discussions centered on advancing the India-US economic partnership and strengthening strategic cooperation. The conversation reflected the growing alignment between New Delhi and Washington on economic resilience, financial stability, and long-term growth.
The US Department of State, in its official readout, said that both sides emphasized the importance of democracies working together to unlock economic opportunities and advance shared objectives. It also highlighted the commitment to expand cooperation through the Quad, particularly in areas linked to energy security and supply chain resilience.
Jaishankar’s meetings come ahead of the first Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting in Washington, underscoring the urgency both nations attach to securing reliable and transparent mineral supply chains. His visit also follows President Trump’s announcement that the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods would be reduced from 25 percent to 18 percent, a move seen as a significant confidence-building measure in bilateral trade relations.
On a three-day official visit to the United States, Jaishankar’s engagements reflect India’s growing role in shaping global economic and strategic frameworks. As critical minerals, trade, and technology take center stage in global geopolitics, the latest discussions indicate that India and the US are positioning their partnership for a more robust and future-oriented phase.