External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday, September 22, 2025, for bilateral discussions amidst the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). The meeting, held at Lotte New York Palace, marked their first face-to-face interaction since the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil.
The discussions took place against a backdrop of escalating trade tensions between India and the United States. In addition to the tariff issue, the meeting agenda likely included discussions on the controversial $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike, which has raised concerns among tech giants and Indian professionals. This meeting is the third between Jaishankar and Rubio this year, with previous encounters in January and July.
The meeting also coincided with ongoing India-U.S. trade talks in the U.S., where a delegation led by Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal aimed to achieve an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement. Positive discussions had occurred during the U.S. Trade Representative officials' visit to India on September 16, with both sides agreeing to intensify efforts toward a trade deal.
Jaishankar, who arrived in New York on September 21 for the UNGA week, began his engagements with a bilateral meeting with Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Theresa P. Lazaro. They followed up on President Bongbong Marcos’s recent state visit to India and discussed cooperation in the UN and the Indo-Pacific region. Lazaro reaffirmed both countries' commitment as Strategic Partners actively developing cooperation in political, defense, security, and the maritime domain.
During the UNGA week, Jaishankar is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings. He will also deliver India's national statement at the General Debate on September 27.
The meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio is viewed as an effort to improve relations between the two countries and bridge divides that have emerged in recent months. Despite public displays of a friendly relationship between PM Modi and President Trump, tensions have been evident. Discussions on improving bilateral relations were expected. The U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on India, including a 25% base tariff and an additional 25% due to India's purchase of oil from Russia.
The new H-1B visa fee requires a $100,000 fee for new applications, causing concern among tech companies and employees. The White House clarified that it is a one-time fee applicable only to new petitions, exempting current visa holders.
