India Dismisses Claims of Secret Meeting Between NSA Doval and US Secretary Rubio

India Refutes Bloomberg Report

New Delhi: On Thursday, India firmly rejected a report from Bloomberg that suggested a meeting occurred between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last year, amidst ongoing trade negotiations between the two nations.

The report further alleged that India indicated it was willing to postpone finalizing a trade agreement until the conclusion of President Donald Trump's term.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded during a media briefing, stating, "There is absolutely no basis for that report. No such meeting or visit has occurred."

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the significant progress in the India-US trade deal, which he noted is nearing completion, during his visit to the United States from February 2-4.

Jaishankar expressed gratitude towards Secretary Rubio for his hospitality, stating, "The historic India-US trade deal is in the final stages of detailing and will be finalized soon. This opens a new chapter in our bilateral relations, with immense potential for growth. Our cooperation on critical minerals is also advancing swiftly, and we anticipate further discussions on strategic issues, defense, and energy in the near future."

During his visit, Jaishankar held discussions with key US officials, including separate meetings with Secretary Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, focusing on the strategic and economic partnership between India and the US.

Jaishankar remarked on X, "Delighted to meet US Secretary Rubio this afternoon. We had a comprehensive conversation covering our bilateral cooperation agenda, as well as regional and global matters."

The talks with Rubio addressed various aspects of the India-US strategic partnership, including trade, energy, nuclear cooperation, defense, critical minerals, and technology.

Both parties agreed to expedite follow-up meetings to further their mutual interests, with Jaishankar noting, "We agreed on the early meetings of various mechanisms to advance our shared interests."

According to a readout from the US State Department, Jaishankar and Rubio discussed formalizing cooperation on critical minerals exploration and processing, which has become a key element of the India-US economic and strategic relationship.

This meeting took place shortly after President Trump and Prime Minister Modi announced a trade agreement aimed at reducing barriers and enhancing market access between the two largest democracies.

Both Jaishankar and Rubio acknowledged the significance of their collaboration in unlocking new economic opportunities and advancing shared energy security goals.

The discussions also encompassed regional and multilateral dimensions of their partnership, with both reaffirming their commitment to enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, recognizing the importance of a prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

On the same day, Jaishankar met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, describing their discussions as productive and focused on advancing the India-US economic partnership and strategic cooperation.

These meetings reflect the expanding scope of India-US relations, covering diplomacy, security, trade, and finance. Officials from both nations have emphasized the necessity for closer coordination to translate political momentum into tangible results.

In recent years, India and the US have strengthened their cooperation in defense, energy, and emerging technologies, while also enhancing economic ties through trade and investment. Both countries have identified critical minerals and advanced technologies as priority areas, crucial for clean energy transitions and high-end manufacturing.

The recent high-level engagements follow ongoing dialogues between New Delhi and Washington on regional and global issues, including developments in the Indo-Pacific. Officials from both sides have characterized the India-US partnership as a cornerstone of their foreign policy strategies.