Rubio, Jaishankar Discuss Trade and Energy in Mumbai

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met in Mumbai to discuss trade, energy security, defense, technology and regional developments, reaffirming the countries’ strategic partnership. Rubio said a bilateral trade agreement was close to completion, and that President Donald Trump’s tariff waiver had eased a potential obstacle after disputes over U.S. penalties linked to India’s Russian oil purchases. The two sides discussed expanding U.S. energy exports and diversifying India’s suppliers; Rubio was scheduled to visit Reliance Industries’ Jamnagar refinery and said Washington would discuss Venezuelan crude and potential production with the company. Jaishankar thanked Rubio for honoring victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and welcomed the extradition of alleged attack participant Tahawwur Rana, calling for zero tolerance of terrorism. Rubio, Jaishankar and the UAE foreign minister also discussed regional energy security and shared economic priorities.