From Financialexpress · Anjana PV · · 1m 50s
India-US Ties Beyond Trade: Rubio and Gor on Visas, Defence and Pakistan
US Secretary of State Rubio and Ambassador Gor discuss India-US trade, visas, defence and Pakistan policy.
In brief
US Secretary of State Rubio and Ambassador Gor discuss India-US trade, visas, defence and Pakistan policy. US and India close to trade deal, bilateral trade at $240bn, H-1B visa restrictions not targeted at India, defence cooperation rising, and US-Pakistan ties not at India's expense. Originally reported by…
Trade Agreement Progress
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said India and the United States were close to reaching an interim trade agreement with only a few issues remaining under negotiation.
“the point of having an agreement is to be able to have certainty so that people know they can invest, people know what the rules are that are going to govern trade and commerce between the two countries”
Bilateral Trade Growth
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said bilateral trade had increased from $20 billion 15 years ago to $240 billion.
“this is a win-win situation”
H-1B Visa Restrictions
Rubio defended the Trump administration’s immigration restrictions amid concerns over their impact on Indian professionals and american businesses hiring them.
“it’s not one that’s built on india. it’s not one that’s focused on india”
America First Policy
Gor backed the administration’s immigration policy, saying the United States needed to reassess its approach to immigration and prioritize its national interests.
“when we talk about america first, it doesn’t mean america alone”
US Oil Demand
Rubio said the United States wanted India to diversify its energy sources by purchasing more crude oil from America and other suppliers in the Western Hemisphere.
“it’s not so much about buying less russian oil than it is about buying more us crude or venezuelan or others from the western hemisphere”
Defence Cooperation
Gor said defence cooperation between India and the United States had reached an unprecedented level with joint military exercises and f-35 fighter jets in india.
“our defense cooperation is at an all-time high”
Small Modular Reactors
Rubio said India could become one of the first international markets for american small modular nuclear reactors.
“india is one of the first places that the united states is looking at possibly to have our first smrs internationally”
Pax Silica Initiative
Gor said India was among the first 10 countries invited by washington to join the pax silica initiative.
“it’s because we trust india. they’re a valued partner in the supply chain”
US-Pakistan Ties
Rubio sought to reassure India that washington’s relationship with pakistan would not undermine its partnership with new delhi.
“in no way does the relationship with pakistan come at the expense of our relationship with india”
Trump-Modi Contact
Gor said trump and modi shared a close relationship and remained in regular contact through multiple phone calls during the month of the interview.
“they’re dear friends and it works well because of that, because they see eye to eye on moving the ball forward, on getting things done, on delivering”
The short version
US and India close to trade deal, bilateral trade at $240bn, H-1B visa restrictions not targeted at India, defence cooperation rising, and US-Pakistan ties not at India's expense.
