UPDATE - US’ Rubio discusses energy security, defense cooperation with Indian counterpart in Mumbai
- Washington, New Delhi reaffirm 'the importance of advancing the US-India strategic partnership,' says US secretary of state
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- Washington, New Delhi reaffirm 'the importance of advancing the US-India strategic partnership,' says US secretary of state
ADDS RUBIO'S STATEMENT, CHANGES, HEADLINE, LEDE, DECK
By Ahmad Adil and Yasin Gungor
NEW DELHI / ISTANBUL (AA) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Tuesday discussed energy security and defense cooperation in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, on day one of Rubio’s two-day visit.
The two sides reaffirmed "the importance of advancing the US-India strategic partnership," Rubio wrote on US social media company X following his meeting with Jaishankar.
The State Department said Rubio and Jaishankar discussed topics concerning regional and global issues, including developments in the Middle East. Rubio reiterated that energy trade could play a “transformative” role in helping India diversify its supply chains and welcomed progress made in bilateral defense and civil nuclear cooperation, calling for increased procurement of US technologies and systems.
When it was pointed out that this was his second visit in recent months, Rubio told reporters that Jaishankar had visited the US four times, highlighting the fact that India is the world’s most populous nation and a key commercial and business partner to the US.
Emphasizing defense cooperation within the bilateral relationship as well as the partnership under the Quad framework – the US, Australia, India, and Japan – Rubio said: "So I actually don't think we come enough."
Jaishankar also said on X that the two top diplomats discussed "further advancement" of bilateral ties, focusing on trade, energy, technology, defense, and people-to-people ties. He added that they also discussed regional developments.
“The visit provides an opportunity to further advance cooperation across the various pillars of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal earlier wrote on X.
- Trilateral meeting with UAE foreign minister
"Great to be back in Mumbai, this time with my friend (Rubio)," US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor wrote on X.
"Looking forward to a productive visit and to advancing U.S.-India ties," he added.
The talks between the two are expected to “cover key aspects of the India-US strategic partnership, economic cooperation, regional stability and energy security,” public broadcaster All India Radio said on Tuesday.
Rubio also met in a trilateral format with Jaishankar and Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’ foreign minister. Rubio said that the three discussed regional energy security and ways to advance their shared economic priorities.
Jaishankar called the trilateral talks "a useful exchange of perspectives on energy, connectivity and contemporary developments."
During his visit, Rubio is also expected to tour the world's largest single-site refinery in Jamnagar, in the western Indian state of Gujarat.
Ahead of the trip, Rubio said Monday that Washington was "very close" to finalizing a trade agreement with India.
"We're trying to finalize a trade deal with India right now. We're very close to doing that," Rubio said in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Muhammed Yasin Güngör,Ahmad Adil,Saadet Gökce