US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Monday to discuss bilateral ties and ease tensions over trade. The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian summit in Malaysia, is the highest-level contact between the two countries since the United States imposed sanctions on Russian oil companies last week. India is a key buyer of Russian crude, and the sanctions have raised concerns about the impact on the country’s energy supplies.
The meeting between Rubio and Jaishankar is seen as an attempt to restart trade talks between the two countries, which have been strained since August when the US raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent. US officials have accused India of fuelling Russia’s war in Ukraine by buying discounted oil from Moscow. India has not commented on the issue, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to US President Donald Trump by telephone last week, and Trump claimed that Modi had agreed to cut Russian oil imports.
The trade rift between the US and India has significant implications for both countries. The US is one of India’s largest trading partners, and the tariffs have affected Indian exports such as textiles and pharmaceuticals. India, on the other hand, is a key market for US goods, and the trade tensions have raised concerns about the impact on US businesses.
The meeting between Rubio and Jaishankar is a positive step towards resolving the trade tensions between the two countries. The two officials discussed regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine, and Jaishankar appreciated the discussion on bilateral ties. The meeting also took place against the backdrop of a Southeast Asian summit, which was attended by Trump and addressed by Modi via video link.
The trade talks between the US and India are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with both countries seeking to resolve their differences and improve their trade ties. The outcome of the talks will have significant implications for both countries, and the international community will be watching the developments closely. With the global economy facing numerous challenges, the resolution of the trade tensions between the US and India could provide a much-needed boost to trade and economic growth.