EAM Jaishankar meets US Congressional delegation, discusses US-India ties, Ukraine conflict

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held discussions with a US Congressional delegation, including Mike Rogers and Adam Smith, on India–US relations, developments in the Indo-Pacific, and the Ukraine conflict.

"A good interaction with US Congressional Delegation comprising @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith and @JimmyPatronis along with @USAmbIndia. Discussed various aspects of India US ties, Indo Pacific and Ukraine conflict. Congressional interactions have always been an important facet of our relationship." said EAM Jaishankar in a post on X.




Recently, US ‍Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled the potential ⁠removal of additional 25% tariffs on India following a sharp reduction in Indian imports of ‌Russian oil.

Trade ‌tensions escalated in August when ‌Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, including a 25% levy in response to India's imports of Russian crude.

"Indian purchases by their refineries of Russian oil have collapsed. So ‌that is ‍a success. The tariffs ‍are still on, 25% tariffs for Russian ‌oil are still on. I would imagine there is a path to take them off," Bessent said in an interview with Politico at the World Economic Forum.

Bessent's remarks came amid heightened pressure from Trump, who earlier warned that tariffs could increase further unless India curtails its Russian oil purchases.

In a post on X, Ambassador Gor called the meeting "productive" and how it would gave boost to India-US ties for stronger security, expanded trade and cooperation on critical technologies.

He wrote on X, "Just wrapped a productive meeting with EAM @DrSJaishankar, @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith, and @JimmyPatronis on ways to strengthen U.S.-India partnership for stronger security, expanded trade, and cooperation on critical technologies."

This comes amid a series of sustained high-level interactions between New Delhi and Washington.

Earlier on January 19, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met US Senator Steve Daines and the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, and had a "productive exchange" on the bilateral relationship.

"Delighted to again meet my good friends US Senator @SteveDaines and the US Ambassador to India @SergioGor. Had a productive exchange of views on our bilateral relationship," Piyush Goyal posted on X.

On January 18, EAM met US Senator Steve Daines. "A pleasure meeting Senator @SteveDaines this morning in Delhi. A wide-ranging and open discussion on our bilateral relationship and its strategic significance," Jaishankar said

After concluding his visit to Mumbai on January 18, Ambassador Gor highlighted the growing partnership between India and the United States across trade, technology, education, energy and resilient supply chains.

On January 13, MEA provided details of the first conversation between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which the two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, including trade, critical minerals, defence, civil nuclear cooperation and energy, and also exchanged perspectives on regional developments.

Speaking during the weekly media briefing in the national capital, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "This conversation happened on the 13th of January. This was the first conversation between the two leaders. They discussed a range of bilateral issues, including trade, critical minerals, defence, civil nuclear cooperation, and energy. They also exchanged perspectives on regional developments."