India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, engaged in significant bilateral talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday, September 22, 2025. This high-level interaction took place as the 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly commenced.
This meeting, held at the Lotte New York Palace, marks their first in-person discussion since President Donald Trump implemented an additional 25% tariff on India for its Russian oil imports. This recent levy has pushed the total tariffs imposed on India to 50%.
Their last encounter was in July, during the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Washington D.C. Notably, this current discussion aligns with ongoing efforts between India and the U.S. to swiftly finalize a comprehensive trade agreement.
Further demonstrating this commitment, a delegation led by India’s Union Commerce and Industries Minister, Piyush Goyal, is also scheduled to meet with U.S. counterparts in New York on the same day. A statement from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry confirmed that the delegation aims to advance discussions towards a “mutually beneficial Trade Agreement,” building on positive talks held with officials from the U.S. Trade Representative’s office in India on September 16, 2025.
Minister Jaishankar arrived in New York on Sunday, September 21, 2025, for a busy UNGA week. His itinerary includes a series of bilateral and multilateral engagements, culminating in his delivery of India’s national statement at the General Debate on September 27, 2025, from the distinguished UNGA podium.