External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held wide-ranging discussions in New Delhi today. Both leaders reaffirmed the strength of the India-US strategic partnership and outlined key areas of cooperation, including trade, energy, mobility and regional security. Addressing a press conference following delegation-level talks, Dr Jaishankar highlighted the need to conclude a trade agreement at the earliest, welcomed the expansion in energy trade, and stressed that diversified energy supplies are vital for India’s energy security. On the Iran conflict, Mr Jaishankar said, both India and the United States have a strong interest in ensuring that global energy prices remain low and that there is unimpeded commerce. India’s position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy, as well as safe and unimpeded maritime commerce, was also reiterated. He also pointed out that India is one of the very few countries in the world which has strong relations with US, Israel, Iran as well as other Gulf nations. Dr Jaishankar also highlighted the importance of people-to-people ties and said legal mobility should not be adversely affected. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly underscored the strategic dimension of the partnership, describing India as one of the United States’ most important partners in the world.
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