External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Tuesday, officials said, ahead of the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial. Jaishankar’s U.S. visit runs from February 2-4; in addition to the ministerial convened by Rubio on Wednesday, he is scheduled to meet senior members of the U.S. administration.
The discussions come a day after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that India and the United States had reached a trade understanding that would lower the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Trump on X for the reduction, saying it will help Made-in-India products and expand opportunities for cooperation between the two democracies.
According to the State Department, the Critical Minerals Ministerial will convene delegations to pursue stronger, more diversified supply chains for minerals deemed essential to technology, economic competitiveness, and national security. U.S. officials described the meeting as an opportunity to build momentum for international collaboration on securing those supplies.
U.S. officials scheduled to give opening remarks at the ministerial include Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary Rubio, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Global Supply Chains David Copley, and Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg. Jaishankar’s meetings in Washington are expected to focus on both the ministerial agenda and broader bilateral economic and strategic cooperation.
