External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday, marking their first face-to-face meeting since President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, taking the total levies to 50%.  The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and focused on bilateral trade relations and recent policy developments.

Jaishankar’s visit also included discussions with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, aiming for early conclusion of mutually beneficial trade agreements between India and the U.S. The two sides explored pathways to resolve disputes over tariffs and to strengthen commercial cooperation.

Another key topic was the recent hike in H-1B visa fees, which has raised concerns among Indian tech professionals and companies.  Despite the tensions, both officials emphasized their commitment to dialogue and cooperation to maintain a strong India-U.S. relationship.