Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will hold crucial talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday, September 22. This meeting, taking place on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, marks the first high-level engagement between India and the United States since President Donald Trump’s sharp policy moves targeting New Delhi, including a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods and a steep increase in H1-B visa fees to $100,000. With nearly 70 percent of H1-B beneficiaries being Indians, the impact has been significant on professionals and businesses alike.
According to the US State Department schedule, Jaishankar and Rubio are expected to meet at 11 am EST (8:30 pm IST). The discussions come amid rising tensions after Trump announced the 25 percent tariff and an additional 25 percent penalty linked to India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil. While both nations have emphasized their commitment to maintaining strong ties, the economic measures have created new hurdles. The talks are expected to cover trade, strategic cooperation, and measures to mitigate the fallout of Trump’s decisions.
This is the first major diplomatic engagement since Jaishankar and Rubio last met in July 2025 during the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. On the same day, India and the US are also set to hold trade-level discussions aimed at easing friction and moving toward a workable agreement. President Trump, despite his hardline stance, recently expressed optimism that the two sides would have “no difficulty” in reaching a deal. For India, the stakes remain high as it navigates protecting its economic interests while preserving its strategic partnership with Washington. The outcome of these talks will be closely watched, not only in diplomatic circles but also by Indian professionals and industries reliant on the H1-B visa program and robust bilateral trade flows.
