THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
WASHINGTON,
JANUARY 13, 2026
The United
States and India on Tuesday reinforced their expanding strategic partnership as
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a detailed phone conversation with
External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, reviewing cooperation across
civil nuclear energy, trade negotiations and regional security in the
Indo-Pacific.
The discussion
underscored growing convergence between the two democracies on economic and
strategic priorities. Jaishankar said the leaders discussed trade, critical
minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy, and agreed to remain in
close touch on these and other issues, highlighting the breadth of engagement
shaping the bilateral relationship.
US Ambassador
to India Sergio Gor described the exchange as a positive and forward-looking
interaction, noting that the two sides discussed next steps in bilateral trade
negotiations, cooperation on critical minerals and the possibility of a
high-level meeting next month.
According to
US Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, Secretary Rubio congratulated
India on the enactment of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear
Energy for Transforming India Bill, a key addition to India’s nuclear energy
framework. Rubio expressed strong interest in building on the new legislation
to deepen civil nuclear cooperation, expand opportunities for American
companies, advance shared energy security objectives and strengthen critical
mineral supply chains.
The leaders
also reviewed the progress of ongoing bilateral trade agreement talks,
reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening economic ties amid
evolving global supply chain dynamics. In addition, they exchanged perspectives
on regional developments, reiterating the importance of maintaining a free,
open and secure Indo-Pacific.
