Jaishankar Meets Rubio In New York As India, US Seek To Repair Strained Ties
As India and the United States navigate tensions over tariffs, visa restrictions, and regional disputes, the meeting between S. Jaishankar and Marco Rubio in New York highlighted a cautious attempt to repair trust, restart trade talks, and reinforce shared commitments to the Indo-Pacific and the Quad. Image courtesy: X.com/@DrSJaishankar
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on September 22, 2025, in New York, signaling efforts by both governments to repair strained ties following recent punitive measures from Washington, including steep tariffs and higher visa fees.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), came amid preparations for a fresh round of trade talks between Indian and US negotiators. Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal is also in the United States this week to advance discussions.
Is the focus on bilateral and global issues?
Although the two leaders refrained from making public remarks during their photo opportunity, both later issued statements highlighting the scope of the discussions.
“Our conversation covered a range of bilateral and international issues of current concern. [We] agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas. We will remain in touch,” Jaishankar said in a post on social media.
Rubio echoed the sentiment, noting that talks covered trade, energy, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals as part of broader efforts to generate prosperity for both economies.
The US State Department further emphasised that the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, underscoring the role of the Quad partnership with Japan and Australia.
Why is the relationship under pressure?
The Jaishankar-Rubio meeting came just days after US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone, agreeing to restart trade negotiations suspended in August. Despite this positive signal, tensions have risen over a string of US measures targeting India.
In recent weeks, Washington imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, revoked waivers for India’s participation in Iran’s Chabahar port project, and introduced a $100,000 H-1B visa application fee.
Additionally, several Indian corporate executives faced visa cancellations linked to alleged fentanyl trade connections. New Delhi has warned that these steps could have “humanitarian consequences” and disrupt the flow of skilled professionals.
On September 20, Trump reignited another point of contention, claiming credit for ending the India-Pakistan conflict during Operation Sindoor in May. India has repeatedly rejected the assertion, viewing it as an overreach into its internal security matters.
What are the next steps in the engagement?
Jaishankar is on his fifth visit to the US in nine months, reflecting the intensity of bilateral diplomacy despite the turbulence. He is expected to travel to Washington later this week.
The meeting with Rubio also set the stage for discussions on the upcoming Quad summit in Delhi in November, which is expected to bring President Trump and other leaders of the grouping together.
During their last engagement, Jaishankar and Rubio had jointly hosted the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting alongside Australia and Japan.
Trump is scheduled to address the UNGA on September 23, while Jaishankar will deliver his speech on September 27. Both interventions are expected to touch upon trade, regional stability, and the evolving Indo-Pacific order.
While the road ahead for India-US ties remains complex, the September 22 meeting highlighted the desire on both sides to keep dialogue open. With trade negotiations back on track and Quad cooperation deepening, New Delhi and Washington appear intent on managing disputes even as structural frictions remain.
