Image Source: The Tribune
India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on September 22, 2025, marking their first in-person engagement since the US augmented tariffs on Indian imports. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and came at a critical juncture marked by escalating trade tensions and new visa policy changes impacting Indian professionals in the US.
Key Highlights from the Meeting and Context
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This was the third in-person meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio during 2025, following earlier encounters in January and July.
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The backdrop for this interaction includes the US imposition of an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, pushing the total tariffs to 50% on Indian imports—a move that has sharply strained bilateral trade relations.
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Alongside these diplomatic discussions, India and the US are engaged in ongoing negotiations for a trade agreement aimed at easing tensions and building a mutually beneficial commercial relationship. A delegation led by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is actively negotiating with the US side in New York, with recent talks described as positive and forward-looking.
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New complications arise from US President Donald Trump’s recent presidential proclamation imposing a steep $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications effective from September 21, 2025, a drastic rise from the previous $2,000-5,000 range. This sudden hike has generated alarm among Indian IT professionals, startups, and legal experts fearful of the impact on tech talent mobility and bilateral ties.
Diplomatic Engagements and the Way Forward
Dr. Jaishankar’s meeting with Secretary Rubio covered a broad spectrum of bilateral and international issues intended to sustain ongoing engagement despite recent challenges. The key message underscored the importance of maintaining continuous dialogue to progress on priority areas of cooperation, including trade, security, and people-to-people ties. The discussions also coincide with India preparing to deliver its national statement at the UNGA General Debate on September 27.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s parallel negotiations in New York focus on advancing a long-stalled trade agreement that addresses complex issues such as agricultural market access and tariff reductions. Both sides have expressed commitment to intensify efforts for an early resolution that could benefit the economic interests of both countries.
The ramifications of the H-1B visa fee hike remain a critical concern. This visa pathway has historically been essential for Indian technology professionals working in the US. Experts caution that the new fee risks disrupting talent mobility and could have adverse knock-on effects for US tech companies relying on skilled foreign workers. The Indian government has asked Washington to consider the humanitarian and economic implications of the policy shift.
In the broader geopolitical landscape, the meeting signals India’s continued efforts to engage the US constructively amid tensions, balancing its strategic and economic interests while navigating complex diplomatic terrain marked by tariff disputes and immigration reforms.
Today's meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio reflects a clear intent from both sides to preserve the momentum of their bilateral relationship through sustained and focused engagement despite challenges. The outcomes of concurrent trade talks and the approach to visa regulations will be closely monitored by stakeholders across both nations in the coming weeks.
Source: newsonair, Reuters, Indiatimes
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