Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai on Tuesday and paid tribute to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, as he began a three-day visit to India to advance bilateral ties in trade, investment, defence, energy and critical technologies.
Rubio laid a wreath at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel to honour those killed in the November 26, 2008, attacks, including six American citizens.
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In a post on X, he said the US remembered those who lost their lives, honoured the courage of those who responded to the attacks, and reaffirmed the enduring India-US partnership and their shared commitment to combating terrorism.
RUBIO BACKS TALKS BETWEEN US, RUSSIA AND CHINA
The US Secretary of State also spoke about the possibility of the United States, Russia and China holding discussions on arms control at the leadership level, saying communication between the world’s three most powerful nuclear-armed nations would be a positive development.
Responding to a question by reporters on whether China was open to discussions on arms control, Rubio said leaders of the three countries should be able to communicate despite their disagreements.
“For the three most powerful nuclear-armed nations on Earth, for their leaders to communicate with one another, I think it makes all the sense in the world,” he said.
Rubio cited diplomacy surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war to underline the importance of dialogue, arguing that negotiations required engagement with the other side.
He said US President Donald Trump had expressed openness to a leaders-level conversation involving Washington, Moscow and Beijing on arms control, describing the prospect as something that would be positive for the world.
JAISHANKAR MEETING, BILATERAL TIES
Rubio’s meeting with Jaishankar is expected to focus on strengthening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, with discussions covering trade and investment, defence, energy, critical and emerging technologies, and other areas of mutual interest.
The visit comes amid persistent friction in bilateral ties following Washington’s punitive tariffs on Indian goods last year and disagreements over US President Donald Trump’s claims about his role in de-escalating the India-Pakistan military clashes in May 2025.
Rubio’s trip is also expected to provide an opportunity to take stock of negotiations on the proposed bilateral trade agreement. India and the US have been engaged in talks since early 2025 to address tariff-related concerns, eliminate non-tariff barriers and improve market access.
Ahead of the visit, Rubio said in Uzbekistan that Washington was “very close” to finalising the trade deal with India. He also indicated that the agreement was a factor in the US administration’s consideration of national security waivers.
India has been seeking more favourable tariffs for its exports to the US, while Jaishankar recently said the negotiations were nearing a “landing point”.
The two countries’ relationship has also faced strains over US immigration policies and a sharp increase in H-1B visa fees. Washington’s move to restrict a key green-card processing programme affecting major global and Indian IT firms, including Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro, added to the concerns.
RUBIO’S THREE-DAY INDIA VISIT
Rubio’s second visit to India this year comes as both countries seek to sustain high-level engagement despite differences over trade, tariffs and other policy issues.
During his earlier visit in May, he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar and attended a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting.
The US Secretary of State is accompanied by a large business delegation, with boosting economic engagement expected to be a key focus of the visit. His engagements in Mumbai also include a reception marking the 250th anniversary of US independence.
Rubio is scheduled to travel to Jamnagar in Gujarat on Wednesday as part of the three-day trip.
– Ends
With agency inputs
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
