Jaishankar-Rubio Talks: Nuclear, Trade, and Minerals Take Center Stage

New Delhi, january 14, 2026: In a significant move to bolster the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a productive telephonic conversation on Tuesday. The dialogue, which comes at a pivotal moment in bilateral relations, focused on a wide-ranging agenda including trade negotiations, critical mineral supply chains, and the expansion of civil nuclear cooperation.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) following the call, Dr. Jaishankar characterized the exchange as a “good conversation.” He noted that the two leaders delved into critical sectors such as trade, defense, and energy, agreeing to maintain consistent contact to navigate shared challenges and opportunities.

A New Chapter in Nuclear Energy

A central highlight of the discussion was the U.S. welcoming India’s recent legislative milestone—the enactment of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed that Secretary Rubio congratulated India on this development. The SHANTI Bill is seen as a transformative step that opens the door for limited private participation in India’s nuclear sector under strict regulatory oversight. Washington has expressed a keen interest in capitalizing on this legislative shift to enhance bilateral civil nuclear cooperation, which would not only advance shared energy security goals but also provide a significant opening for American companies in the Indian market.

Navigating Trade and Economic Ties

The conversation occurred against the backdrop of complex trade dynamics. While the U.S. remains India’s largest trading partner, the relationship has recently navigated friction due to significant tariffs—including a 50% levy on certain goods—linked to India’s energy imports from Russia.

Despite these hurdles, the tone of the meeting remained optimistic. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to finalizing a bilateral trade agreement that has been under negotiation for nearly a year. U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, who recently assumed office, described the call as “positive” and hinted at a potential high-level meeting between the two nations as early as next month.

Critical Minerals and the ‘Pax Silica’ Alliance

In an era where technology determines geopolitical influence, the focus on critical minerals and semiconductors took center stage. The leaders discussed securing supply chains for essential minerals required for green energy and high-tech manufacturing.

Notably, the U.S. has indicated its intention to invite India to join the Pax Silica alliance as a full member. This U.S.-led initiative aims to build a secure, innovation-driven silicon supply chain, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor resilience. India’s inclusion in such a framework is expected to solidify its position as a global alternative production hub, reducing dependence on single-source supply chains.

Regional Stability and the Indo-Pacific

Beyond bilateral economics, Jaishankar and Rubio exchanged perspectives on regional security. Both leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” a cornerstone of the strategic alignment between New Delhi and Washington.

As the two nations work toward a target of $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, this latest interaction signals that while differences on specific tariffs and agricultural access remain, the broader strategic trajectory of India-U.S. ties remains on an upward path.