New Delhi: The focus of the discussions between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his American counterpart Marco Rubio during their meeting earlier this week was on tariffs and trade, the Ministry of External Affairs said Friday.
“The External Affairs Minister and US Secretary of State met on the sidelines of UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) on 22 September 2025. They were joined by CIM and USTR (United States Trade Representative), as also officials on both sides. The focus of the discussion was on trade and tariffs. Other aspects of our bilateral relationship were also reviewed,” Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs told a regular press briefing.
The talks between Jaishankar and Rubio assume significance given the ongoing tensions between India and the US over trade and tariffs. US President Donald Trump imposed an additional tariff of 25 per cent on India which came into force last month as a penalty for New Delhi’s ongoing energy partnership with Russia.
India’s overall tariff rate is at 50 per cent which is amongst the highest for all of the US’ trade partners. Peter Navarro, the White House Trade Counsellor also launched a number of broadsides against India, going so far as to label the Russia – Ukraine conflict as “Modi’s war”.
The Indian side published no readout of the meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio. The meeting between the two was also the first since the tariffs came into force. The American State Department readout highlighted other sectors of the partnership that was discussed including pharmaceuticals and critical minerals.
Trump Thursday imposed a new set of tariffs of up to 100 per cent on branded and patented drugs, while making no announcement on generic pharmaceuticals. The new tariffs are set to kick on 1 October. Any move to impose additional tariffs in the generic drugs sphere could further impact one of India’s largest exports to the US.
India’s pharmaceutical exports to the US touched $9.7 billion in the last financial year, accounting for a third of its drug exports globally. Trump has also taken aim at the H-1B visa scheme last week, imposing a $100,000 visa fee for the next lottery in February 2026.
Indians have been one of the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B scheme over the last few years, especially in the technology sector.
“With regard to H-1B, you are aware that the Ministry and our Embassy in DC have been in active touch with the US Administration. Clarifications/FAQ were issued by the US side subsequent to the new measures. This is still an evolving situation and we remain engaged at various levels,” said Jaiswal Friday.
Good to meet @SecRubio this morning in New York.
Our conversation covered a range of bilateral and international issues of current concern. Agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas.
We will remain in touch.
🇮🇳 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/q31vCxaWel
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 22, 2025
India had called the new visa fee hike disruptive and urged the US to allow for greater mobility of skilled labour, while taking strict action against those promoting illegal migration in the country.
However, a partial thaw in the ties were seen last week when President Trump spoke with Prime Minister Modi, wishing the latter on his birthday. It was the first call between the two since June.
The call in June ended with India issuing a strong statement that Modi informed Trump that the US played no role in the bilateral understanding arrived at by India and Pakistan to pause hostilities after Operation Sindoor.
Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, which has been rejected by New Delhi and has become an irritant in ties.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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