Twin India Meetings In US Look To Renew Ties
WASHINGTON, DC – On September 22, India held twin high-level meetings in the US, signaling its continued engagement on trade and strategic relations.
In Washington, Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal focused on advancing trade discussions, while in New York, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reinforce bilateral ties amid trade frictions and evolving visa policies.
These meetings reflect India’s pragmatic approach to the challenges posed by the current global trade environment, according to Indian officials. Demonstrating patience and strategic engagement, New Delhi has relied on timely and measured diplomatic interventions to manage friction while advancing cooperation.
The ministerial engagement in Washington aimed to translate political goodwill into tangible commercial outcomes, with a focus on concluding a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). Following a brief pause in talks, a US trade team’s visit to Delhi on September 16 indicated progress on several aspects of the proposed agreement, prompting Goyal’s visit to intensify efforts for a potential year-end conclusion.
Key discussion points included market access, supply-chain cooperation, tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and sectoral collaboration in technology, clean energy, and pharmaceuticals. For the US, such dialogues provide a structured channel to advance market-opening measures and trade enforcement, reflecting shared interest in practical outcomes.
The engagements also reaffirmed that strategic ties—including through forums such as the Quad and the Indo-Pacific framework—remain central to the bilateral relationship, even amid trade policy differences. Both sides described the discussions as constructive, emphasizing continued dialogue and working-level negotiations on market-access and regulatory issues. While no sweeping agreements were finalized, the meetings established pathways for practical, mutually beneficial solutions expected to develop in the near term. (IANS)
