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EYE ON INDIA OCTOBER 30, 2026 | The Indian Eye 8

Rubio visit to India:

Lots of assurances but little

concrete progress?

The visit has generated optimism over an imminent trade deal, but unresolved tariff
differences, restrictive visa policies and Washington’s insistence on putting American interests

first underline the limits of the partnership

OUR BUREAU ployment priorities take precedence.
New Delhi, meanwhile, argues that
New Delhi
the movement of skilled professionals
S Secretary of State Marco benefits both countries by supporting
Rubio’s visit to India has of- innovation, research, productivity and
Ufered renewed assurances employment.
that a long-awaited bilateral trade Recent US measures have added
agreement is close to completion, but to Indian concerns. On October 9, the
it has done little to remove the deep- US Labour Department suspended
er complications affecting relations several major technology outsourcing
between New Delhi and Washing- companies, including Infosys, Tata,
ton. Behind the diplomatic emphasis Wipro, HCL and Cognizant, from the
on cooperation in trade, energy, de- Permanent Labour Certification Pro-
fence and technology lie persistent gram amid federal investigations. US
disagreements over market access, technology companies Microsoft and
immigration restrictions and India’s Adobe were also affected. The US
strategic autonomy. U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, External Affairs Min- government has separately proposed
Rubio’s talks with External Af- new fees for international students
fairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mum- ister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri at the 250th anniversary celebrations participating in Optional Practical
bai came at a time when both govern- of American Independence, in Mumbai on Tuesday. (@DrSJaishankar X/ANI Photo) Training.
ments have been seeking to stabilise The disagreements have also fu-
a relationship unsettled by Washing- Rubio had offered a similarly op- During his visit, Rubio sought to play elled a domestic debate about wheth-
ton’s unpredictable trade measures timistic assessment before his discus- down the impact of US visa changes er India’s diplomatic engagement
and tougher immigration policies. sions with Jaishankar. “We are about on India, insisting that the measures with Washington is producing tangi-
The two sides have publicly expressed as close as you can be without having were not directed specifically at Indi- ble benefits. Senior Congress leader
confidence that negotiations are ap- an executed agreement,” he told jour- an professionals. Salman Khurshid, defending Rahul
proaching their final stage. Yet the nalists, adding that a small number “It’s not one that’s built on India. Gandhi’s criticism of the govern-
absence of a concluded agreement, of issues remained to be settled. US It’s not one that’s focused on India,” ment’s foreign policy, questioned the
alongside continuing differences over President Donald Trump has also he told India Today News, arguing absence of a trade agreement and the
the movement of Indian profession- described the agreement as “pretty that the changes applied globally and treatment of Indians deported from
als to the United States, suggests that close”. were intended to address fraud and the United States in handcuffs.
diplomatic engagement has not yet The repeated assurances have abuse in the US immigration system. “Well, if it is so strong and ben-
translated into a resolution of the raised expectations, but they also “I expect that the government of eficial, let them show the results on
most contentious issues. underline the gap between political India will always put the people of In- the ground. Why is it that, to this day,
The trade deal remains the im- optimism and a signed agreement. dia first and that you will always put no trade deal has been concluded?”
mediate test. Addressing the NDTV The negotiations have continued for the national interest of India first,” Khurshid asked.
World Summit on Thursday, Jais- more than a year, with market access, Rubio said. “But I also hope everyone He added that the quality of
hankar acknowledged progress but agricultural commodities, industrial understands that the United States foreign policy should be judged by
warned against assuming that the goods, tariffs and regulatory barriers under President Trump is going to put outcomes rather than official claims
agreement was already secured. among the areas requiring attention. our people first, our workers first and of diplomatic success. “Anyone can
“Well, look, it’s never done till it’s Until the final terms are agreed, our country first.” praise themselves or boast about how
done,” he said, adding that negotia- neither government can claim that the The statement captures the cen- excellent their foreign policy is. But
tions were moving forward but that economic uncertainties surrounding tral tension in the relationship. Wash- unless we see its actual impact on
the final stages could prove difficult. the relationship have been resolved. ington wants greater access to India’s the ground—unless we can observe
He declined to disclose the outstand- The more immediate concern for market and expanded cooperation some tangible results—how are we to
ing issues, saying they were for the ne- India is Washington’s tightening ap- in strategic sectors, while insisting accept that the foreign policy is any
gotiating teams to resolve. proach to work-based immigration. that its domestic economic and em- good?” he said.

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