India, US ‘Very Close’ To Finalising Trade Deal, Says Marco Rubio Ahead Of Visit | Economy News
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‘We’re trying to finalise a trade deal with India right now. We’re very close to doing that,’ says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (File Photo: AFP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said India and the United States are close to finalising a trade deal, signalling progress in negotiations between the two countries ahead of his visit to India on October 20.
“We’re trying to finalise a trade deal with India right now. We’re very close to doing that,” Rubio said.
#WATCH | United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, “…We’re trying to finalise a trade deal with India right now. We’re very close to doing that.”On Russian oil and gas, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “We’ve had to waive sanctions over the past few months because of the impact on global supplies and prices…We have to manage all of these things. We’re trying to finalise a trade deal with India right now. We’re very close to doing that. That’s one of the things we take into consideration when the President makes a decision about national security waivers and things of that nature. Every country has a complex set of factors that it has to take into account. Geography is real. For some countries, it’s very difficult to acquire energy from alternative sources. That’s not an excuse, but all of that has to be balanced when making foreign policy…”
(Source: US Network Pool via Reuters)
— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2026
Rubio also addressed Washington’s approach to sanctions on Russian oil and gas, highlighting the need to balance national security considerations with the impact of restrictions on global energy supplies and prices.
“We’ve had to waive sanctions over the past few months because of the impact on global supplies and prices,” he said, adding that the US had to consider multiple factors while making foreign policy decisions.
“Every country has a complex set of factors that it has to take into account. Geography is real. For some countries, it’s very difficult to acquire energy from alternative sources. That’s not an excuse, but all of that has to be balanced when making foreign policy,” Rubio said.
His remarks come as India and the US continue negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement, with differences over trade and energy-related issues forming part of the broader discussions between the two countries.
Rubio, who is currently in Uzbekistan, is scheduled to visit India on October 20 and meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai.
According to a government source cited by PTI, the meeting is expected to focus on strengthening the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and the US. Discussions are likely to cover energy, trade, critical and emerging technologies, and other key areas of bilateral cooperation.
The visit comes at a crucial stage in bilateral engagement, with progress towards a trade agreement expected to remain a key focus of discussions between New Delhi and Washington.
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Ask News18US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that India and the United States are very close to finalising a trade deal as negotiations continue between the two nations.
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October 19, 2026, 12:52 IST
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