US, India discuss critical minerals, broader strategic ties in Washington talks

Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed on Tuesday a recently announced trade deal between India and the United States and discussed expanding cooperation on critical minerals and other strategic areas.

Jaishankar said in a post on X that he was delighted to meet Rubio and described a “wide ranging conversation” that covered the bilateral cooperation agenda as well as regional and global issues.

“Facets of India-U.S. Strategic Partnership discussed included trade, energy, nuclear, defense, critical minerals and technology,” Jaishankar wrote. He said both sides agreed on early meetings of various mechanisms to advance shared interests.

Rubio said on X that he and Jaishankar discussed bilateral cooperation on critical minerals exploration and “work together to unlock new economic opportunities between our two countries.” He added that they had “commended the trade deal between the United States and India.”

The meeting took place ahead of the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, where officials from over 50 countries are expected to seek cooperation on diversifying global supply chains for key minerals used in technology and clean energy.

Jaishankar also met U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, saying he had a “useful discussion on advancement of India-U.S. economic partnership and strategic cooperation.”

The talks follow a newly announced trade agreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at reshaping economic ties.

Under the deal, the U.S. will cut duties on Indian goods, while India is expected to adjust trade barriers and diversify its energy sources amid shifting global conditions, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said.

Goyal told Reuters that India will diversify its energy sources to ensure security for its citizens, a strategy underscored by recent discussions about oil purchases following U.S. pressure for New Delhi to stop buying Russian crude. He noted Indian refiners have not been formally instructed to halt Russian oil purchases and need time to complete existing contracts.

Opposition lawmakers in India’s Parliament have pressed for more details on the trade deal, particularly regarding access for agricultural products, after New Delhi protected sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy in the agreement.