While the trade deal negotiations are key, the importance of the other topics – critical minerals, defence, energy and nuclear – cannot be underestimated. It is not clear whether Rubio and Jaishankar will meet during a bilateral visit, or on the sidelines of a multilateral event, including the AI Impact summit in Delhi next month. Following the discussions, Jaishankar described it as a “good conversation”, while Gor called it a “positive call”. Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy. These set the stage for the conversation between Jaishankar and Rubio.

Source: Indian Express January 13, 2026 20:45 UTC