US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that Washington and New Delhi were nearing completion of a bilateral trade agreement, signalling progress in negotiations aimed at resolving longstanding trade differences.
“We’re trying to finalize a trade deal with India right now. We’re very close to doing that,” Rubio told reporters in the Uzbek city of Samarkand.
The remarks came ahead of his scheduled three-day visit to India, beginning Tuesday, following meetings with Central Asian officials.
Rubio is expected to arrive in Mumbai, India’s financial centre, before travelling to Jamnagar in Gujarat, where he is scheduled to visit the world’s largest single-site oil refinery.
Russian Energy Imports and Sanctions Discussed
Addressing questions about Russian oil and gas, Rubio explained that Washington had granted sanctions waivers after considering the potential consequences for international energy supplies and prices.
He said the administration was balancing its trade negotiations with India against broader economic and national security considerations.
“We have to manage all of these things. We’re trying to finalize a trade deal with India right now. We’re very close to doing that. That’s one of the things we take into consideration when the President (Donald Trump) makes a decision about national security waivers and things of that nature,” Rubio stated.
The secretary of state acknowledged that countries face different economic and geographical circumstances when determining their energy policies.
“Geography is real. For some countries, it’s very difficult to acquire energy from alternative sources. That’s not an excuse, but all of that has to be balanced when making foreign policy,” he said.
Rubio also observed that every country must consider a complex range of factors when making decisions affecting its energy security and international relations.
Trade Negotiations Progress
The latest comments follow an announcement by the United States and India in February that they had agreed on the terms of an interim trade framework intended to address their bilateral trade dispute.
Rubio’s remarks suggest that both governments are approaching the final stages of negotiations, although a formal agreement has yet to be announced.
His upcoming visit is expected to provide another opportunity for discussions on economic cooperation, trade and energy policy between Washington and New Delhi.