India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to conduct bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, coinciding with the commencement of the prestigious 80th UN General Assembly session.

This meeting marks the initial in-person encounter between the two officials since President Trump implemented an extra 25 percent tariff on India due to New Delhi's Russian oil procurement, bringing America's total tariff burden on India to 50 percent.

The State Department's Sunday schedule indicates that Rubio and Jaishankar will convene in New York City on Monday morning.

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Their previous encounter occurred in July during the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Washington DC. This bilateral engagement coincides with India-US negotiations aimed at reaching a swift conclusion to a trade pact.

Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal will lead an Indian delegation meeting with American representatives on Monday in the city.

"The delegation plans to take forward the discussions with a view to achieving early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Trade Agreement," the Ministry of Commerce and Industry had said.

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Officials noted that during the September 16 visit by the US Trade Representative's team to India, constructive dialogue took place regarding multiple elements of the trade agreement, with both sides agreeing to accelerate their collaborative efforts.

Jaishankar touched down in New York on Sunday to participate in the high-profile UNGA proceedings, beginning his diplomatic activities with a bilateral discussion alongside Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa P Lazaro.

"We followed up on the recent State Visit of President @bongbongmarcos to India. Also discussed our cooperation in the UN and the Indo-Pacific region, the external affairs minister said on X.

The State Department released a daily itinerary on Sunday indicating that Rubio is scheduled to hold a bilateral discussion with Jaishankar in New York City on Monday morning.

 

Lazaro expressed his delight in reconnecting with Jaishankar following the "fruitful" state visit that President Bongbong Marcos made to India in August. "Our discussion today reaffirms our two countries' commitment as Strategic Partners to actively develop cooperation in political, defence and security, the maritime domain, etc," she said.

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Throughout the week, Jaishankar is scheduled to participate in various bilateral and multilateral discussions alongside the high-level United Nations General Assembly session, and he will present India's national address during the General Debate on September 27 from the distinguished green podium of the UNGA.