India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, is set to hold crucial bilateral talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York this Monday, September 22, 2025. This significant meeting coincides with the high-level 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly, bringing together global leaders.
This eagerly anticipated discussion will mark the first in-person encounter between Mr. Rubio and Mr. Jaishankar since President Donald Trump imposed a substantial additional 25% tariff on India for its oil purchases from Russia. This latest measure brings the total tariffs levied by the Trump administration on India to a hefty 50%.
The U.S. State Department’s Sunday schedule confirmed that Secretary Rubio would meet Minister Jaishankar in New York City on Monday morning.
Their last interaction was in Washington D.C. in July during the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Notably, this bilateral meeting also falls on the same day India and the U.S. aim to advance discussions toward finalizing a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
A high-level Indian delegation, led by Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal, is scheduled to meet their U.S. counterparts in New York on Monday, September 22, 2025. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated that this delegation intends to push forward negotiations for an early and advantageous trade deal.
Recent discussions between officials from the United States Trade Representative’s office and India on September 16 were reportedly positive, with both sides committing to intensify efforts to conclude the trade agreement.
Minister Jaishankar arrived in New York on Sunday, September 21, 2025, to participate in the impactful UNGA week. His initial engagement involved a bilateral discussion with Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Theresa P. Lazaro.
On platform X, the External Affairs Minister shared his pleasure in meeting Secretary Lazaro, noting they “followed up on the recent State Visit of President Bongbong Marcos to India” and deliberated on cooperation within the UN and the Indo-Pacific region.
Secretary Lazaro echoed the sentiment, expressing her delight in meeting Mr. Jaishankar again after President Marcos’s “successful” state visit to India in August. She emphasized that their talks reaffirmed both nations’ commitment as Strategic Partners to actively enhance cooperation across political, defense, security, and maritime domains.
Throughout the UNGA session week, Mr. Jaishankar is slated to participate in a series of crucial bilateral and multilateral meetings. He will also deliver India’s national statement at the General Debate on September 27 from the distinguished UNGA podium.