MUMBAI – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in discussions with India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Mumbai on Tuesday, highlighting both nations’ efforts to enhance energy cooperation and advance toward a trade agreement that has been stalled for several months.
The negotiations have faced setbacks primarily due to U.S. tariffs imposed on a significant portion of Indian goods and India’s continued procurement of Russian oil amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Both nations are eager to revive these discussions to foster a more robust economic partnership.
“We’re very, very close. I would say we’re about as close as you can be without having executed the agreement,” Rubio remarked to reporters in Mumbai. He emphasized that only a few issues remain to be resolved, expressing optimism that a deal could be finalized soon.
During their meeting, Jaishankar and Rubio explored various avenues to bolster bilateral relations, focusing on key sectors such as trade, energy, technology, and defense, while also addressing regional developments that impact both countries.
Additionally, the two officials participated in a trilateral meeting with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where they discussed “regional energy security and advancing our shared economic priorities,” further underscoring the collaborative efforts among these nations.
Trade relations took a hit in August 2025 when the U.S. imposed tariffs reaching up to 50% on most Indian goods after negotiations faltered. A framework agreed upon in February had lowered this rate to 18%, but progress has since stalled. Recently, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman noted that the talks had “plateaued,” while Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal suggested that the initial phase of a trade deal was nearing completion.
India is advocating for final tariff rates that align more closely with those of competing manufacturing nations like Vietnam, reflecting its desire to maintain a competitive edge in global trade.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has complicated India’s energy procurement strategy. Since February 2022, India has significantly increased its imports of discounted Russian crude, which has occasionally strained relations with the U.S. Nevertheless, the Indian government has committed to expanding energy imports from various sources, including the U.S., to ensure market stability and price affordability.
Despite these challenges, the U.S. and India continue to strengthen their defense and technological collaboration, with Washington recognizing India as a pivotal partner in counterbalancing China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Rubio’s visit to India follows an earlier trip to Uzbekistan, where he sought to promote trade and enhance ties with Central Asia. He acknowledged the complexities surrounding India’s diversified energy portfolio, noting the substantial reliance on Russian oil, which complicates immediate shifts to alternative suppliers.
“You’ve got countries like India, for example, that have voluntarily diversified their energy portfolio, but are still getting a substantial amount of energy from Russia because it’s hard to pivot from one day to the next,” Rubio stated, reinforcing India’s strategic partnership with the U.S.
In the coming days, Rubio is scheduled to visit a major refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat, operated by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, which is recognized as the world’s largest refining complex. This visit underscores ongoing U.S.-India energy collaboration, as earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a $300 billion investment by Reliance to establish an oil refinery in Brownsville, Texas.
Rubio’s last visit to India was in May, reflecting the continuous engagement between the two nations as they navigate complex geopolitical and economic landscapes.
___
This article has been updated for accuracy regarding Rubio’s comments on India’s energy diversification, clarifying that they were made while he was still in the U.S. before his trip to Uzbekistan.
