Rubio arrives in Mumbai at 2:15 pm and will lay a wreath at the Taj memorial for the 26/11 victims at 3:40 pm. His bilateral meeting with Jaishankar is scheduled for 3:50 pm at the same venue. On Wednesday, he travels to Jamnagar in Gujarat, home to Reliance Industries’ giant refining complex, where he is expected to meet Mukesh Ambani. This is his second India visit this year.
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Trade Deal Takes Centre Stage
India and the US have negotiated the proposed pact since early 2025 to settle tariff disputes, remove non-tariff barriers and improve market access. India wants better tariff rates than competing countries get. Rubio said in Uzbekistan the two sides are “very close” to a deal, and officials have raised the possibility that it could be signed during his visit. Jaishankar has said talks are nearing a “landing point.”
Tariffs, Diesel and Russian Oil
Last Friday, President Donald Trump waived tariffs that would have punished India for its Russian crude purchases. Rubio linked that decision to the trade deal effort. Last week, the US also signed a deal with Russia to import diesel to bring down domestic fuel prices before the midterm elections. That has made it unclear how much pressure Washington will keep applying on India’s Russian oil.
Other Items on the Table
India’s Ministry of External Affairs says the talks will cover energy, trade and investment, defence, and critical and emerging technologies. Both sides are also expected to exchange views on the West Asia crisis.
Can the Ice Break?
Ties have been strained by punitive tariffs, American claims about its role in the May 2025 India-Pakistan clashes, higher H-1B visa fees and green-card restrictions affecting Indian IT firms. The Mumbai venue also caused a political row, after US Ambassador Sergio Gor said Washington expected Jaishankar to travel to meet Rubio. Opposition leaders said India’s top diplomat was being “summoned.”
