Rubio and India seek to conclude trade deal
The US Secretary of State discusses trade, energy and the consequences of American tariffs in Mumbai.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke in Mumbai on Tuesday with his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Washington and New Delhi are trying to conclude a trade deal after negotiations came under pressure for months because of tariffs and India’s purchase of Russian oil.
According to AP, Rubio said the two countries are close to an agreement, but that a small number of points still need to be worked out. He gave no specific deadline and no agreement has yet been signed. The Indian government confirmed that trade, energy, investment and defence are on the agenda.
The talks are taking place against the backdrop of high US import tariffs on Indian goods. Washington imposed tariffs of up to 50 per cent in August 2025 after earlier negotiations had stalled. According to Reuters, President Donald Trump has since postponed the introduction or expansion of certain tariffs to leave room for talks.
A key point of contention is India’s energy trade with Russia. India continues to buy Russian oil, while the United States is seeking to put pressure on that trade because of the war in Ukraine. For New Delhi, changing oil suppliers could raise questions about the affordability and stability of its energy supply.
For India, access to the US market is important for exporters in industries including manufacturing, technology and services. For the United States, India offers a large market and a potential partner in energy, defence and critical technology. Both governments therefore also present the talks as part of a broader strategic rapprochement.
The negotiations are therefore broader than a conventional discussion about import duties. The relationship also touches on competition with China, the reshaping of energy flows and the question of how countries deal with US trade measures. At the same time, mistrust remains over the reliability of the arrangements as long as tariffs can change quickly.
Rubio’s personal visit to India underlines the importance Washington attaches to the talks. The visit, however, has not yet produced an agreement. For Dutch companies, it may be relevant whether a trade deal improves access to the US and Indian markets or instead imposes new requirements on products, supply chains and energy trade.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Rubio and Jaishankar discussed trade and energy in Mumbai.
- The negotiations have not yet been concluded.
- US tariffs and India’s purchase of Russian oil are major points of tension.
- Both countries also want to co-operate in defence and technology.
Left
Arguments An agreement should not serve only US export interests, but should also protect workers, consumers and climate goals. Pressure on India over Russian oil may be geopolitically understandable, but trade policy must not lead to higher energy prices for vulnerable households.
Values Worker protection, affordability, multilateralism and climate justice.
Consequences More social and sustainability conditions could slow negotiations, but should prevent trade from coming at the expense of the public interest.
Centre
Arguments A practical agreement on tariffs, energy and technology could stabilise both economies. At the same time, the countries must retain room for their own security and energy policies, and the arrangements must be verifiable.
Values Stability, reciprocity and institutional predictability.
Consequences A gradual deal could promote trade, but would probably leave some disputes over Russia and strategic technology unresolved.
Right
Arguments The United States should use its economic power to secure better market access and geopolitical support from India. India should decide for itself where it buys oil, provided this does not undermine US security interests.
Values National sovereignty, strategic competition and reciprocity.
Consequences A hard negotiating line could yield concessions, but would also increase the risk of new tariffs and further fragmentation of global trade.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
AP and Reuters confirm the meeting, the subjects discussed and the remaining trade disputes. The article clearly distinguishes between political ambition and an agreement that has actually been concluded.
- confirmed Rubio and Jaishankar spoke in Mumbai on Tuesday. — Confirmed by AP. source
- confirmed The talks include trade, energy, investment and defence. — Mentioned by the Indian ministry, according to AP and Reuters. source
- confirmed The United States imposed tariffs of up to 50 per cent on India in August 2025. — Reported in the AP article. source
- confirmed No trade agreement has yet been signed. — The sources describe the negotiations as ongoing. source
Editor's note
The meeting and the issues at stake in the talks have been confirmed. No trade agreement has yet been signed; statements about a swift conclusion have come mainly from the US side.Sources
- Rubio and Jaishankar hold talks in Mumbai as US and India aim to finalize trade deal — Associated Press
- Rubio kicks off India visit with trade deal, Russian oil on agenda — Reuters via MarketScreener
- Indian foreign minister and Rubio to hold talks on October 20, ministry says — Reuters via MarketScreener
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „india verenigde staten”
- de Volkskrant — „india verenigde staten”
- RTL Nieuws — „india verenigde staten”