Mumbai: India and the United States have welcomed progress in negotiations on the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and reaffirmed their commitment to its early conclusion, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.
The two countries also reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen their Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Mumbai.
“Both sides had a detailed exchange of views on a wide range of areas, including trade, defence, technology and energy security. They welcomed the progress made in negotiations on the India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and reaffirmed their commitment to working towards its early conclusion. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments,” the MEA said in a statement.
Rubio is on a two-day visit to India from October 20 to 21 at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. This marks his second visit to the country following his trip to New Delhi in May.
Jaishankar held bilateral talks with Rubio in Mumbai on Tuesday, focusing on trade, energy security, technology, defence cooperation and people-to-people ties. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Following the talks, Jaishankar said in a post on X, “Pleased to meet US Marco Rubio in Mumbai today. We shared views on further advancement of our ties, focusing on trade, energy, technology, defence and people-to-people ties. Also exchanged views on regional developments.”
Rubio also highlighted discussions on energy security and defence cooperation, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
“In Mumbai, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and I discussed energy security and defence cooperation while reaffirming the importance of advancing the US-India strategic partnership,” Rubio wrote on X.
During the visit, Jaishankar also attended the US ‘Freedom 250’ reception hosted by Ambassador Sergio Gor as the chief guest.
The MEA said the visit reflected the continued momentum in high-level engagements between the two countries and their shared commitment to advancing the India-US COMPACT for the 21st century.
“The visit reflected the sustained momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries, underscoring the importance both sides attach to further advancing the India-US COMPACT for the 21st century,” the ministry said.
[DD news]