Rubio Visits 26/11 Memorial, Says India-US Trade Deal Near

MUMBAI- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 20 paid tribute to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to combating terrorism with India, and said the two countries were close to finalizing a trade agreement.

Rubio laid a wreath at the 26/11 memorial at the hotel, where Pakistani terrorists carried out attacks that killed 166 people, including six American citizens.

Speaking to journalists in Mumbai, Rubio said the trade agreement was close to completion, with only a few issues remaining to be resolved.

“We’re very, very close. I would say we’re about as close as you can be without having executed the agreement,” he said. “I think there’s a small number of items left to wrap up, so I think that will happen shortly,” he added, expressing hope that the two countries would soon announce the agreement, followed by its signing.

Rubio clarified that the US State Department does not directly negotiate trade agreements but remains closely involved in the discussions.

“My counterpart, the National Security Advisor, and I care a lot about it,” he said.

During his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai, Rubio discussed energy security and defense cooperation, reaffirming the importance of advancing the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Separately, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met US Congressional staffers in Mumbai and highlighted the significance of the bilateral partnership, the role of the US Congress in advancing ties, enduring people-to-people connections, and growing cooperation in technology and defense, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

Earlier on October 20, Jaishankar met a US Congressional delegation comprising Jason Smith, David Schweikert, Elise Stefanik, Andy Ogles and Laura Friedman. The discussions covered trade, energy, security and technology, as well as ease of doing business in India and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. (IANS)