External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar would travel to the United States next week to attend a key meeting on critical minerals.
Jaishankar would participate in the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting
hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on February 4 at the State Department.
Last week, Jaishankar discussed with a three-member American Congressional delegation various aspects of India-US relations, including trade and security, against the backdrop of continuing strain in ties between the two countries.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor, who was also present at the meeting, said the talks were “productive” and that the focus was on strengthening the bilateral partnership in the domains of security, trade and critical technologies.
The visit of the US Congressional delegation to India, comprising Jimmy Patronis, Mike Rogers and Adam Smith, came as both sides are looking to move forward in the negotiations for a bilateral trade deal.
Both sides have held multiple rounds of negotiations last year to firm up the proposed bilateral trade deal. However, it could not be sealed yet largely in view of Washington’s demands to open up India’s farm and dairy sectors.
Earlier this month, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting hosted by United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Bessent convened a meeting of Finance Ministers at the United States Treasury to discuss solutions to secure and diversify supply chains for critical minerals, especially rare earth elements.
(With inputs from agencies)
