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Jaishankar Meets US Counterpart Rubio, Reviews Bilateral Ties and Global Issues

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington DC, conducting a detailed review of bilateral cooperation and discussing global diplomatic agendas including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, and Ukraine. Jaishankar participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial, where he underlined India's support for the newly launched FORGE initiative, a successor to the Mineral Security Partnership. He warned that excessive concentration in critical mineral supply chains poses a major global risk, advocating for structured international cooperation to de-risk them. India's engagement marks a shift toward industrial execution, highlighted by plans for rare earth corridors in its national budget.

Key Points: Jaishankar, Marco Rubio Review Bilateral Cooperation, Global Issues

  • Detailed review of India-US cooperation
  • Discussions on Indo-Pacific, West Asia, Ukraine
  • India supports new FORGE initiative on minerals
  • Warning on excessive concentration in supply chains
2 min read

"Detailed review of bilateral cooperation," says EAM Jaishankar on his meeting with US Secy of state Marco Rubio

EAM S Jaishankar meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reviews bilateral ties, discusses Indo-Pacific, Ukraine, and supports FORGE initiative on critical minerals.

"We did a fairly detailed review of our bilateral cooperation... we discussed the world, we discussed our relationship - S Jaishankar"

By Reena Bhardwaj, Washington DC, February 5

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in the US as part of the Critical Minerals Ministerial hosted by the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, says that the two side also reviewed their bilateral cooperation during his meetings with the US Secretary.

The EAM said that topics such as the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, and Ukraine were discussed.

"We did a fairly detailed review of our bilateral cooperation. It's natural when foreign ministers meet that you discuss the diplomatic agenda. Also, the calendar - what do we expect each one of us to do this year together, so a lot of our discussion was devoted to that, the bilateral side. But again, foreign ministers meet, and we talk about our business: the Indo-Pacific, what is happening in West Asia, the Middle East, Gaza, and the Ukraine conflict. There was a kind of global review of what was happening in the Western Hemisphere. In a sense, we discussed the world, we discussed our relationship, and it was a very open sort of forthcoming conversation," he said

At the Critical Minerals meet, the EAM underlined India's support for the FORGE (Forum on Resource, Geostrategic Engagement) initiative.

"I am here to attend the Critical Minerals Ministerial, which was convened by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a number of countries, nearly 50 countries were here. The meeting is going on today, and it was the principal reason. The discussion was very good. Critical minerals are a very important subject; the US has been a partner for some years. Today, they have launched a new edition - FORGE, which we have supported. It is a successor to the Mineral Security Partnership. To me, it was a productive and outcome-oriented meeting," he said.

Earlier during his address to the ministerial, the EAM said that "excessive concentration" in critical mineral supply chains poses a major global risk and called for structured international cooperation to "de-risk" them, as India deepens engagement with the US-led framework on strategic minerals.

Jaishankar's remarks come as India's engagement in the US-led critical minerals dialogue marks a decisive shift from strategic intent to industrial execution. The announcement of dedicated rare earth corridors in India's 2026 Budget is a particularly important signal, as it reflects a move beyond resource security toward building domestic processing, separation, magnet manufacturing, and downstream capabilities.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the strategic partnership is important, I hope these discussions also translate into tangible benefits for our MSME sector and create jobs here. Sometimes these high-level talks feel disconnected from ground realities. The FORGE initiative must have clear deliverables for Indian industry.
R
Rohit P
Jaishankar Sir is doing a great job representing India on the global stage. Discussing everything from Gaza to Ukraine shows our growing diplomatic heft. The focus on de-risking supply chains is spot on. We need to be self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) in critical areas.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in the renewable energy sector, the announcement about rare earth corridors in the 2026 Budget is the most exciting part. This is the kind of long-term planning we need. If executed well, it can make India a hub for green tech manufacturing.
V
Vikram M
The Indo-Pacific discussion is key. A stable and rules-based order in our neighbourhood is essential for our trade and security. Partnering with the US on this, while maintaining our strategic autonomy, is a delicate but necessary balance. Well done, EAM.
K
Karthik V
Hope the "detailed review" also included easier visas for Indian students and professionals! That's a major bilateral issue for common people. Strategic minerals are important, but people-to-people ties are the foundation of the relationship.

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