US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India has rekindled hopes of finalising the long-negotiated trade deal and putting India-US relations back on the track.
Ahead of his visit to India on October 20, 2026, Mr Rubio struck an optimistic note on clinching the deal. “We’re trying to finalise a trade deal with India right now. We’re very close to doing that,” Mr Rubio said.
The prospects of a trade deal have brightened after US President Donald Trump did a sharp U-turn, waiving new US sanction on Russian oil. Alluding to the much-dissected tariff waiver decision of Trump, the US’ top diplomat justified it on grounds of national interest and energy security. “President makes a decision about national security waivers and things of that nature. Every country has a complex set of factors that it has to take into account. Geography is real,” said Mr Rubio.
“For some countries, it’s very difficult to acquire energy from alternative sources. That’s not an excuse, but all of that has to be balanced when making foreign policy,” he said in Samarkand.
Mr Rubio will mee External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai on October 20. The talks will focus on strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the US, which have been drifting for the past few months on account of differences over tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil. The talks will encompass revitalising cooperation in energy, trade, critical and emerging technologies.
