From 18% tariffs to supply chains: Jaishankar meets Rubio ahead of inaugural minerals ministerial
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a visit to the United States from February 2-4 and will participate in the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday
- Feb 3, 2026,
- Updated Feb 3, 2026 12:38 PM IST
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Tuesday, setting up a key diplomatic engagement just a day after President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with India that lowers tariffs on Indian goods entering the United States.
Rubio will meet Jaishankar at the Department of State on Tuesday afternoon. Jaishankar is on a visit to the United States from February 2-4 and will participate in the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by Rubio on Wednesday. During the visit, Jaishankar will also hold meetings with senior members of the US administration, the Ministry of External Affairs had said.
The Jaishankar-Rubio meeting comes after a Truth Social post by Trump, which stated that India and the US agreed to a trade deal under which Washington will bring down the reciprocal tariff on Delhi from 25 per cent to 18 per cent. US has also agreed to completely waive off the 25% tariffs imposed earlier on India's purchases of Russian oil.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the move on X, writing, “Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement.”
Modi also signalled broader political alignment with the US President’s agenda, saying, "When two large economies and the world’s largest democracies work together, it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. President Trump’s leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace. I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights,” Modi had said.
The US State Department said the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial will bring delegations together to advance collective efforts to strengthen and diversify critical minerals supply chains.
"This historic gathering will create momentum for collaboration to secure these critical components vital to technological innovation, economic strength, and national security,” the State Department said.
According to the State Department, US Vice President JD Vance, Rubio, Special Assistant to the President of the United States and Senior Director for Global Supply Chains David Copley, and Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg will deliver opening remarks at the ministerial.
(With inputs from PTI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Tuesday, setting up a key diplomatic engagement just a day after President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with India that lowers tariffs on Indian goods entering the United States.
Rubio will meet Jaishankar at the Department of State on Tuesday afternoon. Jaishankar is on a visit to the United States from February 2-4 and will participate in the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by Rubio on Wednesday. During the visit, Jaishankar will also hold meetings with senior members of the US administration, the Ministry of External Affairs had said.
The Jaishankar-Rubio meeting comes after a Truth Social post by Trump, which stated that India and the US agreed to a trade deal under which Washington will bring down the reciprocal tariff on Delhi from 25 per cent to 18 per cent. US has also agreed to completely waive off the 25% tariffs imposed earlier on India's purchases of Russian oil.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the move on X, writing, “Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement.”
Modi also signalled broader political alignment with the US President’s agenda, saying, "When two large economies and the world’s largest democracies work together, it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. President Trump’s leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace. I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights,” Modi had said.
The US State Department said the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial will bring delegations together to advance collective efforts to strengthen and diversify critical minerals supply chains.
"This historic gathering will create momentum for collaboration to secure these critical components vital to technological innovation, economic strength, and national security,” the State Department said.
According to the State Department, US Vice President JD Vance, Rubio, Special Assistant to the President of the United States and Senior Director for Global Supply Chains David Copley, and Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg will deliver opening remarks at the ministerial.
(With inputs from PTI)