S Jaishankar Defends Mumbai Visit Amid Rahul Gandhi's Critique
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addresses criticism over his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai.
Jaishankar emphasizes the significance of Mumbai as India's financial hub.
He cites historical precedents of Indian leaders meeting foreign counterparts outside Delhi.
Ongoing negotiations for a US-India trade deal are in the final stages, according to Jaishankar.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to criticism from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding his recent visit to Mumbai to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit, Jaishankar expressed confusion over the uproar, stating, "I failed to get it". He defended Mumbai's importance as India's financial and Bollywood capital, suggesting that the criticism may stem from a misunderstanding of the city's significance.
Jaishankar highlighted that meetings between Indian leaders and foreign dignitaries outside of Delhi are not uncommon. He referenced historical instances, such as Indira Gandhi's meeting with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Shimla in 1972 and Salman Khurshid's lunch with former Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in 2013. He challenged the notion that his visit constituted a 'summoning', urging for a mature dialogue on international relations.
The US Mission in India confirmed that Secretary Rubio's visit from October 20-22 aimed to strengthen the US-India strategic partnership and enhance commercial ties. During his time in Mumbai, Rubio attended a Freedom 250 reception and engaged in discussions with Jaishankar regarding the ongoing negotiations for a proposed trade deal between the two nations.
Jaishankar noted that the trade deal is nearing completion, stating it is in the "last mile" of negotiations. He cautioned that while progress is being made, the final stages often present challenges. He refrained from disclosing specific hurdles, emphasizing that it is the negotiators' responsibility to resolve them. The trade discussions have been ongoing since early 2025, focusing on tariff issues and market access improvements.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal previously announced that the first phase of the trade deal has been finalized and is currently undergoing legal drafting. Goyal expressed optimism about operationalizing the agreement soon, contingent on achieving competitive advantages for Indian goods in the US market. The developments in these negotiations are crucial for enhancing bilateral trade relations between India and the United States.
