‘Covered Issues Of Concern’: EAM Jaishankar Holds Bilateral Talks With US’s Rubio

Last Updated:September 22, 2025, 22:16 is

This is the first in-person meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio since the US imposed a steep 50% tariff on Indian goods over its purchase of Russian oil.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (X)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly (UNGA) session.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said that both leaders discussed a range of bilateral and international issues of current concern. He said that both sides agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas.

“Good to meet @SecRubio this morning in New York. Our conversation covered a range of bilateral and international issues of current concern. Agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas. We will remain in touch,” EAM Jaishankar said.

Ahead of the meeting, Jaishankar and Rubio were seen shaking hands and posing for a photograph.

The meeting at Lotte New York Palace is the first in-person meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio since the US imposed an additional 25% tariff on India for New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil, taking the total levies imposed on India to 50%.

However, both leaders met twice earlier this year. The two first met in January during the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Washington, just days after Rubio took office, and again in July at a second QUAD gathering.

The bilateral talks also coincide with ongoing India–US trade negotiations in Washington, where Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is leading the Indian side. The trade negotiations resumed after US President Donald Trump marked a shift in tone and announced that his team was continuing negotiations to address trade barriers with New Delhi.

Earlier this month, Trump expressed optimism about concluding a trade agreement with India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded that the discussions would help “unlock the limitless potential of the India–US partnership.”

Though the agenda of the Jaishankar–Rubio talks was not in public, the discussion also assumed importance as it comes just days after Trump signed a proclamation imposing a new annual USD 100,000 application fee for H-1B visas — a move expected to hit Indian workers hardest, as they make up the majority of recipients.

Jaishankar arrived in New York on Sunday for the UN General Assembly session this week, commencing his engagements with a bilateral meeting with the Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Theresa P Lazaro.

He will deliver the national statement at the General Debate on September 27 from the iconic green UNGA podium.

This year’s UNGA coincides with several high-level events, including commemorations for the UN’s 80th anniversary, a Climate Ambition Summit convened by Secretary-General António Guterres, and a meeting marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration on women’s rights.

(With inputs from agencies)

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More

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