India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets Rubio, the US Secretary of State in Washington on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to advance bilateral ties. The talks focused on trade, critical minerals and Quad cooperation amid a fresh India US trade deal announced by President Donald Trump.
Washington: India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Department of State on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The discussion covered key areas including an India US trade deal, critical minerals India US partnership and Quad cooperation. This occurred during Jaishankar’s visit from February 2 to 4, 2026, one day after Trump revealed tariff cuts.
The meeting holds significance for South Asia as stronger India-US relations can stabilise regional security, boost economic growth and counterbalance influences from China and Russia through enhanced trade and strategic pacts.
Jaishankar Meets Rubio: Key Discussions
Jaishankar described the exchange as wide-ranging. It addressed bilateral cooperation, regional issues and global matters. Specific facets included trade, energy, nuclear, defence, critical minerals and technology. “Delighted to meet US @SecRubio this afternoon,” Jaishankar posted on X. “A wide ranging conversation that covered our bilateral cooperation agenda, regional and global issues.”
The US State Department confirmed the focus on critical minerals India US. “Secretary Marco Rubio met today with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar,” stated Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott. “The Secretary and External Affairs Minister discussed formalizing bilateral cooperation on critical minerals exploration, mining, and processing.”
They agreed to convene early meetings of various mechanisms to pursue shared interests. This aligns with ongoing efforts to deepen the strategic partnership.
India US Trade Deal Takes Centre Stage
The Jaishankar meets Rubio session followed Trump’s announcement of an India US trade deal on Monday, February 2, 2026. Trump posted on Truth Social after a call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The US will reduce tariffs on Indian goods from 50 percent to 18 percent. This includes scrapping a 25 percent punitive duty linked to India’s Russian oil purchases.
“Out of friendship and respect for Prime Minister Modi and, as per his request, effective immediately, we agreed to a Trade Deal between the United States and India, whereby the United States will charge a reduced Reciprocal Tariff, lowering it from 25% to 18%,” Trump stated. He added India would halt Russian oil buys, purchase US oil and consider Venezuelan supplies. India also pledged over USD 500 billion in US goods and services, with zero tariffs on American products.
Jaishankar welcomed the move. “Welcome the announcements on bilateral trade following the conversation between PM @narendramodi and President @realDonaldTrump,” he posted on X. “This will create more jobs, spur growth and promote innovation in both economies. It will strengthen ‘Make in India’ endeavors and encourage trusted technology ties.”
The India US trade deal resolves months of tensions. US tariffs had risen in August 2025 over India’s oil imports from Russia. The new pact lowers barriers, fostering economic ties. Trade between the nations reached USD 190 billion in 2025, per US data. This deal could push it higher, benefiting South Asian economies through supply chains.
Critical Minerals India US: A Strategic Push
Critical minerals India US emerged as a priority in the Jaishankar meets Rubio talks. Jaishankar attended the Critical Minerals Ministerial on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, hosted by Rubio. The event aimed at securing supply chains for minerals like lithium, cobalt and rare earths.
The US and India seek to reduce dependence on China, which dominates 60 percent of global processing. Formal cooperation on exploration, mining and processing was discussed. This builds on the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology launched in 2023.
No specific agreements were signed, but early mechanism meetings were promised. This could lead to joint ventures, technology transfers and investments.
Quad Cooperation in Focus
Quad cooperation featured in the broader dialogue during Jaishankar meets Rubio. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue involves India, US, Japan and Australia. It promotes a free Indo-Pacific.
In July 2025, Rubio hosted Quad foreign ministers in Washington. “Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi,” the US State Department noted. Talks covered trade, defence and energy under the US-India COMPACT.
Recent Jaishankar meets Rubio reinforced Quad cooperation. It addresses maritime security, disaster response and infrastructure. For South Asia, this counters China’s Belt and Road Initiative, enhancing connectivity projects.
Quad partners committed to USD 50 billion in infrastructure financing by 2027. India US trade deal and critical minerals India US tie into Quad goals, ensuring resilient supply chains.
Background
India-US relations have strengthened since the 2008 civil nuclear deal. Bilateral trade grew from USD 16 billion in 2000 to USD 190 billion in 2025. Defence pacts like Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement in 2016 enabled closer military ties.
Tensions arose in 2025 over tariffs and oil. Trump’s August 2025 duties hit Indian exports like steel and pharmaceuticals. India’s response included higher tariffs on US nuts and apples. The February 2026 India US trade deal eases these.
Critical minerals India US gained urgency post-COVID supply disruptions. Quad cooperation expanded from 2017 revival, holding first leaders’ summit in 2021.
Jaishankar’s visit included meetings with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on economic partnership. “Had a useful discussion on advancement of India – US economic partnership and strategic cooperation,” Jaishankar posted.
What’s Next
Future steps include implementing the India US trade deal. Tariff reductions take effect immediately. India must shift oil imports, potentially raising costs by 10 percent short-term.
For critical minerals India US, joint working groups may form by March 2026. Quad cooperation could see a summit in mid-2026.
Jaishankar meets Rubio sets the stage for sustained progress in these areas.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 4th, 2026
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