New Delhi
The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday strongly rejected a media report claiming a meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling the report “baseless.”
Responding to queries in the national capital about the report, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there was no truth to the claims. “Regarding the report by Bloomberg, there is absolutely no basis for that report. No such meeting or no such visit has taken place,” he said.
His remarks came after a media report alleged that NSA Ajit Doval had visited the United States in September last year to ease tensions between New Delhi and Washington.
The MEA firmly dismissed the report, reiterating that neither any visit nor any meeting between Ajit Doval and Marco Rubio had occurred.
During the same press briefing, Jaiswal also responded to questions related to the India–US trade deal. Recalling a recent telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, he said the Prime Minister had welcomed the reduction in reciprocal tariffs.
“Prime Minister thanked President Trump for the reduction in reciprocal tariff. The Prime Minister noted that ‘Made in India’ products will now be exported to the United States at a reduced tariff of 18 per cent,” Jaiswal said.
He added that the agreement would significantly benefit India’s economy. “This trade agreement will give a major boost to our exports to the United States. It will especially benefit labour-intensive industries in India and help create new job opportunities, growth and prosperity for our people,” he said.
The positive momentum was also reflected during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recently concluded visit to Washington, where he held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Describing the visit as “productive and positive,” Jaishankar said the historic India–US trade deal was nearing completion. “The historic India–US trade deal is in the final stages of detailing and is expected to be completed very soon,” he said.
In a post on X, the External Affairs Minister said, “Concluded a productive and positive visit to the US. Thank Secretary Rubio for his warm hospitality. The historic India–US trade deal is in the final stages of detailing that will be completed very soon. It opens up a new phase in our bilateral ties, with vast possibilities for the relationship. Our critical mineral cooperation is also advancing rapidly. Expect engagement on strategic issues, defence and energy in the coming days. Overall, a strong momentum is evident.”
Concluded a productive and positive visit to the US. Thank Secretary Rubio for his warm hospitality.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 5, 2026
The historic India-US trade deal is in the final stages of detailing that will be completed very soon. It opens up a new phase in our bilateral ties, with vast possibilities for… pic.twitter.com/r3O20XJL90
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Meanwhile, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said that Jaishankar’s discussions with Secretary Rubio and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reflected “limitless potential” in India–US relations.
