India relationship critical, says US; talks on, both sides look at window for Modi-Trump meeting

Other than the option of a bilateral visit, there’s a window of opportunity next month – if Trump decides to travel to Malaysia for the ASEAN and East Asia summits in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28.

Modi is likely to attend the ASEAN summit and if Trump is also there, there exists the possibility of a bilateral meeting between them next month.

But it all depends on how the trade deal talks proceed. And if there is to be a meeting in Kuala Lumpur, there’s a deadline of sorts – close the deal in a month’s time, by October 26.

In New York, Jaishankar also met EU Foreign Ministers – the EU recently unveiled an ambitious agenda for India in the run-up to the EU-India leaders’ summit early next year. This balancing is important since India’s trade talks and wider strategic engagement with the US are dependent on the headway in conversations on each of these issues — defence sales, energy supply, market access for pharmaceuticals and a resilient supply chain for critical minerals. The EU is positioning itself as a “reliable” partner – at a time when many in India perceive the US administration to be unpredictable – and the India-EU trade talks are also underway.

In his meeting with Jaishankar, Rubio also spoke on the Quad grouping, that they will continue working together to promote a “free and open Indo-Pacific region” – an oblique reference to China’s assertive behaviour in the region.

The US State Department spokesperson, in a readout of the meeting, said, “Secretary Rubio, reiterating that India is a relationship of critical importance to the United States, expressed his appreciation for the Indian government’s continued engagement on a number of issues including trade, defense, energy, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and other items related to the bilateral relationship.”

“Secretary Rubio and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar agreed the United States and India will continue working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including through the Quad,” the spokesperson said.

While there was no statement from the Indian government, Jaishankar, in a post on X, said they discussed a “range of bilateral and international issues of current concern” – it was their first meeting after theTrump administration doubled the tariff on Indian imports to 50 per cent as “penalty” for purchase of Russian oil, and days after the US increased the H-1B visa fee to $100,000.

Sources said the hour-long meeting, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), was “positive” and all issues were discussed in a candid manner.

“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,” Jaishankar said after the meeting, indicating that hot-button issues were part of the conversation.

He also participated in a special informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, hosted by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, on the UNGA sidelines.

The meeting was attended by ministers from Brazil and Mexico and focused on critical global issues, including multilateralism, the India-EU partnership, the Ukraine conflict, the Gaza situation, energy and trade.

Herve Delphin, EU Ambassador to India, in a post on X, said, “Special Informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers convened by HRVP Kaja Kallas in NY in margins of UNGA 2025 with the participation of 3 key partners of the EU India, Brazil, Mexico to discuss issues of common interest. EAM Jaishankar views on India’s perspectives much appreciated.”

After the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Kallas emphasised the EU’s commitment to multilateralism, free trade, and a world on the basis of the UN Charter.

“We’ve just wrapped up the Foreign Affairs Council, joined by Ministers from Brazil, Mexico and India. The message to our partners was simple: the EU is a reliable actor. We support multilateralism, free trade and a world grounded in the UN Charter,” she said.