US Congressional delegation holds ‘productive meeting’ with Jaishankar, discusses India–America ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held discussions with a US Congressional delegation on India–US relations, developments in the Indo-Pacific region and the Ukraine conflict.

The delegation included US lawmakers Mike Rogers, Adam Smith and Jimmy Patronis. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor was also present during the meeting.

Focus on security, trade and critical technologies

Describing the interaction as productive, Jaishankar underlined the importance of sustained engagement with the US Congress in strengthening bilateral ties.

“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,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Ambassador Gor said the talks focused on strengthening the India–US partnership across key areas, including security, trade and technology cooperation.

“Just wrapped a productive meeting with EAM @DrSJaishankar, @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith, and @JimmyPatronis on ways to strengthen US–India partnership for stronger security, expanded trade, and cooperation on critical technologies,” Gor wrote on X.

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Recent momentum in India–US engagement

The meeting comes amid a series of recent high-level engagements between Indian and US leaders. On January 13, Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which the two discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, critical minerals, nuclear energy, defence and energy.

“Just concluded a good conversation with @SecRubio. Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues,” Jaishankar said.

The call took place a day after Sergio Gor assumed charge as the US Ambassador to India in New Delhi.

US Senator Steve Daines’ India visit

Meanwhile, US Senator Steve Daines visited India from January 17 to 19, during which he pushed for favourable provisions for pulse crops in any future trade agreement with India, stressing the need to strengthen Washington–New Delhi trade ties.

According to the US Embassy and Consulates in India, Daines met Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, members of parliament and business leaders from both countries.

In a statement, the US Embassy said Daines, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, discussed a range of issues including US–India defence cooperation, secure supply chains and the need for a stable Indo-Pacific region.

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India vital partner for Washington: Gor

Speaking in New Delhi on Monday, Ambassador Gor said no country is as essential as India for Washington and that both sides are actively engaged in firming up a trade deal.

“Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end,” Gor said in his arrival address, referring to the relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump.

“India is the world’s largest nation. So it’s not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there,” he added.