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What is the story about?
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit India in May 2026 as New Delhi and Washington seek to reset ties strained by US tariff policies.
India’s trade delegation is also expected to visit the United States later this month as New Delhi awaits finalisation of the new US tariff structure before signing the trade agreement concluded between both sides. Dates for the proposed visit are currently under discussion.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor recently met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss advancing trade priorities in South and Central Asia, and posted on X: “The United States and India have previously agreed to a trade deal, and we look forward to welcoming an Indian delegation to Washington later this month.”
On April 2, government sources indicated that India will move ahead with signing the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States once it secures preferential access, noting that the issue will need to be resolved by Washington, with all countries currently facing 10% tariffs.
Sources added that India is in a relatively favourable position, having secured a better arrangement than competitors in Southeast Asia and neighbouring countries, and is seeking preferential market access to the US market. Both countries are looking to deepen their multidimensional relationship across sectors.
Currently on an official visit to the United States, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Rubio at the White House, where discussions covered the India-US bilateral relationship, trade, critical minerals, defence and the Quad.
US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also met Misri in Washington, where the leaders reaffirmed the close partnership between the two countries and discussed the situation in the Persian Gulf along with other global and regional priorities.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Misri and India’s Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra launched the India-USA Trade Facilitation Portal, aimed at supporting Mission 500—a target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
Virtually addressing the portal’s launch, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal called it a forward-looking initiative that will enable direct engagement between Indian exporters and US importers while creating greater opportunities to deepen bilateral trade ties.
India and the US are also exploring increased cooperation in the defence sector. The Indian Air Force posted on X about Air Chief Marshal AP Singh’s official visit to Peterson Space Force Base in the US, stating that he interacted with General Gregory M Guillot, Commander of US NORTHCOM/NORAD, for “a productive exchange of perspectives on complex operational modalities,” reflecting the strength of the growing partnership.
India’s trade delegation is also expected to visit the United States later this month as New Delhi awaits finalisation of the new US tariff structure before signing the trade agreement concluded between both sides. Dates for the proposed visit are currently under discussion.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor recently met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss advancing trade priorities in South and Central Asia, and posted on X: “The United States and India have previously agreed to a trade deal, and we look forward to welcoming an Indian delegation to Washington later this month.”
On April 2, government sources indicated that India will move ahead with signing the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States once it secures preferential access, noting that the issue will need to be resolved by Washington, with all countries currently facing 10% tariffs.
Sources added that India is in a relatively favourable position, having secured a better arrangement than competitors in Southeast Asia and neighbouring countries, and is seeking preferential market access to the US market. Both countries are looking to deepen their multidimensional relationship across sectors.
Currently on an official visit to the United States, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Rubio at the White House, where discussions covered the India-US bilateral relationship, trade, critical minerals, defence and the Quad.
US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also met Misri in Washington, where the leaders reaffirmed the close partnership between the two countries and discussed the situation in the Persian Gulf along with other global and regional priorities.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Misri and India’s Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra launched the India-USA Trade Facilitation Portal, aimed at supporting Mission 500—a target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
Virtually addressing the portal’s launch, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal called it a forward-looking initiative that will enable direct engagement between Indian exporters and US importers while creating greater opportunities to deepen bilateral trade ties.
India and the US are also exploring increased cooperation in the defence sector. The Indian Air Force posted on X about Air Chief Marshal AP Singh’s official visit to Peterson Space Force Base in the US, stating that he interacted with General Gregory M Guillot, Commander of US NORTHCOM/NORAD, for “a productive exchange of perspectives on complex operational modalities,” reflecting the strength of the growing partnership.
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