S Jaishankar Meets Marco Rubio In New York Amid Tariff Row

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday to discuss various bilateral and international matters of "current concern".

The encounter took place at Lotte New York Palace during the 80th UN General Assembly session, marking their first face-to-face meeting since President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on India over its Russian oil purchases, bringing the total tariffs on India to 50 percent.

"Good to meet @SecRubio this morning in New York. Our conversation covered a range of bilateral and international issues of current concern. Agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas. We will remain in touch," Jaishankar shared on social media.

Good to meet @SecRubio this morning in New York.Our conversation covered a range of bilateral and international issues of current concern. Agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas.We will remain in touch.🇮🇳 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/q31vCxaWel

The two officials had previously met in Washington DC in July for the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Their current meeting coincides with trade discussions between India and the United States aimed at reaching a swift conclusion to a trade agreement.

A delegation headed by Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to meet with US representatives in New York on Monday. "The delegation plans to take forward the discussions with a view to achieving early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Trade Agreement," according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The ministry also noted that during the recent visit by US Trade Representative officials to India on September 16, productive discussions were held regarding various aspects of the trade deal, with both sides agreeing to intensify efforts.

Jaishankar, who arrived in New York on Sunday for the high-level UNGA week, has planned numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings alongside the session and will deliver India's national statement at the General Debate on September 27 from the iconic green UNGA podium.