External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the proposed India–US trade agreement is in the “final stages of detailing” and expected to be completed soon, signalling intensified engagement between New Delhi and Washington across strategic, economic and energy sectors.
The remarks came at the conclusion of his February 2–4 visit to the United States, where he participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and held discussions with senior US administration officials on bilateral and global issues.
Describing the visit as “productive and positive” in a post on X, Jaishankar said the impending trade deal would mark a new phase in bilateral ties, opening wider possibilities for cooperation. He also noted rapid progress in critical mineral collaboration and anticipated continued engagement on strategic matters, defence and energy cooperation in the coming period.
During the visit, Jaishankar met separately with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, holding discussions on strengthening the India–US strategic and economic partnership. Talks covered trade, energy, nuclear cooperation, defence, technology and critical minerals, reflecting the expanding scope of bilateral engagement.
Following his meeting with Rubio, Jaishankar said discussions addressed the broader cooperation agenda along with regional and global developments. Both sides agreed to expedite follow-up mechanisms aimed at advancing shared priorities and sustaining diplomatic momentum.
According to a US State Department readout, discussions also focused on formalising cooperation in exploration, mining and processing of critical minerals — an area increasingly viewed as central to economic security and clean energy transitions for both countries.
The meeting took place shortly after US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a trade deal intended to reduce trade barriers and expand market access between the two democracies. Officials from both sides welcomed the agreement, emphasising its potential to unlock economic opportunities and enhance energy security cooperation.
Jaishankar’s separate talks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also centred on advancing economic partnership and strategic coordination. The minister described the interaction as useful, highlighting continued efforts to deepen cooperation in finance, trade and broader economic engagement.
Senior officials on both sides have stressed the importance of sustained coordination across departments to translate political intent into concrete outcomes. The recent meetings underscore the widening India–US engagement spanning diplomacy, security, finance and trade.
In recent years, India and the United States have strengthened cooperation in defence, emerging technologies and energy while expanding economic ties through trade and investment. Critical minerals and advanced technologies have emerged as priority areas due to their role in clean energy transitions and high-end manufacturing.
Both countries also reiterated the importance of regional collaboration, including through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue framework, noting that a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific remains central to advancing shared strategic interests.
The latest engagements reflect continuing dialogue between New Delhi and Washington on regional and global developments, with officials on both sides describing the partnership as a key pillar of their foreign policy priorities.
