New Delhi: Amidst ongoing Indian negotiations with the European Union regarding a trade deal, a major update has emerged from the US. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar over the phone. The two leaders also discussed a trade agreement, leading to speculation that an agreement between the two countries on the trade deal could be reached soon. Besides trade, the two leaders also discussed regional developments and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
In its statement, the US State Department said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. He extended New Year's greetings. Marco Rubio congratulated India on passing the 'Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India' bill. The US expressed interest in leveraging this significant development to expand civil nuclear cooperation with India, expand opportunities for US companies, advance shared energy security goals, and secure critical mineral supply chains.
This is what the two leaders discussed regarding the Indo-Pacific:
The US State Department further stated that Marco Rubio and S. Jaishankar discussed ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiations and their shared interest in strengthening economic cooperation. They also exchanged views on regional developments and reaffirmed the United States' and India's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
US has imposed 50 percent tariffs on India
This update from the US is extremely important. After a long time, some positive progress is being seen in the trade deal negotiations between India and the US. It's worth noting that the US has imposed a 50% tariff on India, which is the highest tariff imposed on any country in the world. However, if a trade deal is signed between India and the US, these hefty American tariffs could be reduced.
