External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday called for zero tolerance towards terrorism and stronger international cooperation to combat the threat as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a series of high-level engagements in Mumbai, focusing on bilateral trade, defence cooperation, energy security and regional developments.
Addressing the Freedom 250 reception marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, Jaishankar stressed the need for international partners to maintain an uncompromising approach towards terrorism.
His remarks came hours after he joined Rubio in paying tribute to the victims of the November 26, 2008, Mumbai terror attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.
The two leaders also held bilateral talks, reviewing cooperation across defence, energy, emerging technologies and trade, while discussing developments in West Asia and other international issues.
๐ง๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฏ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ฒ/๐ญ๐ญ ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐บ๐
Rubio laid a wreath at the memorial commemorating the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed 166 lives, including those of six American nationals.
The US Secretary of State reaffirmed Washington's commitment to working with India against terrorism and paid tribute to those who lost their lives and the security personnel who responded to the attacks.
Jaishankar also emphasised the importance of sustained cooperation between the two countries in combating terrorism in all its forms.
The memorial visit formed part of Rubio's three-day India tour, which began in Mumbai on Tuesday.
๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Speaking to reporters, Rubio indicated that India and the United States were close to finalising their proposed bilateral trade agreement, with only a limited number of outstanding issues remaining.
He expressed confidence that the remaining matters could be resolved shortly, allowing the two governments to announce progress and subsequently sign the agreement.
However, Rubio did not provide a specific date for the announcement or identify the unresolved issues.
His comments came amid continuing negotiations over market access and tariffs, which have remained important elements of the economic relationship.
๐จ๐ฆ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor announced an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade beyond USD 500 billion over the next three years.
Addressing the Freedom 250 reception in Mumbai, Gor said trade between the two countries had already exceeded USD 240 billion.
He identified semiconductors, critical minerals, energy, defence and advanced technologies as sectors offering significant opportunities for economic cooperation.
The ambassador said President Donald Trump had instructed him to focus on delivering concrete results in the bilateral relationship.
๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฐ๐๐
Energy cooperation featured prominently in Rubio's discussions with Jaishankar, with Washington offering to help India diversify its oil supplies.
Rubio described India as a major global refining power and highlighted its ability to process heavy crude oil from Venezuela.
He said the American delegation would discuss opportunities involving Venezuelan crude with Reliance Industries during the visit, including the possibility of expanding refining and production.
Rubio acknowledged India's progress in diversifying its energy imports and said the United States was willing to become a larger supplier.
According to the US State Department, the two ministers also discussed developments in West Asia, bilateral defence cooperation and civil nuclear engagement.
Rubio welcomed progress in these areas and advocated greater purchases of American technologies and systems.
๐ง๐ฟ๐ถ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ธ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐จ๐๐
Rubio and Jaishankar also met UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai.
The trilateral discussions focused on regional energy security and shared economic priorities against the backdrop of continuing instability in West Asia.
Rubio described the meeting as productive, highlighting the importance of cooperation among the three countries in addressing regional challenges.
๐ฅ๐๐ฏ๐ถ๐ผ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ'๐ ๐ด๐น๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฟ๐ผ๐น๐ฒ
At the Freedom 250 reception, Rubio described India as a powerful, influential and advanced country, saying the partnership between New Delhi and Washington would help shape the course of the 21st century.
He emphasised the importance of shared democratic principles, the rule of law and individual dignity, while acknowledging that both countries would not necessarily agree on every international issue.
Rubio said decisions taken by the two governments on geopolitics, economics and technology would have lasting consequences for future generations.
Earlier in the day, he visited the Gateway of India, where Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis briefed him on the monument's historical significance.
Rubio is expected to travel to Gujarat's Jamnagar on Wednesday for engagements involving Reliance Industries' refining operations.
His visit comes as both governments seek to advance strategic cooperation while resolving outstanding trade differences and addressing changing global energy conditions.