India is a relationship of critical importance to US: Rubio after meeting with Jaishankar

Rubio stated that the talks were focused on the aspects of bilateral partnership aimed at “enhancing prosperity for both nations”.

“Met with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at UNGA. We discussed key areas of our bilateral relationship, including trade, energy, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals and more to generate prosperity for India and the United States,” Rubio posted on X.

Met with Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar at UNGA. We discussed key areas of our bilateral relationship, including trade, energy, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals and more to generate prosperity for India and the United States. pic.twitter.com/5dZJAd85Za

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) September 22, 2025

The US Department of State, in an official release, appreciated India’s continued engagement on a number of issues and reaffirmed New Delhi’s “critical importance” to Washington.

“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,” the statement said.

It further stated that both leaders agreed to continue working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

“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,” it added.

H-1B, Jaishankar and Rubio discuss issues of ‘current concern’

Jaishankar and Rubio discussed a “range of bilateral and international issues of current concern” as they met for the first time after US President Donald Trump slapped a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods over New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil and increased the H-1B visa fee to $100,000.

Sources said the hour-long meeting, on the sidelines of the high-level 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), was “positive”, as they discussed all issues in a candid manner. They also agreed to continue to engage so that they can make 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.

🇮🇳 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/q31vCxaWel

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 22, 2025

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

(With inputs from agencies)