External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in a phone conversation on January 13, 2026, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation across several key sectors. The talks encompassed a broad agenda, including trade, defence, critical minerals, nuclear energy, and overall energy collaboration. Both leaders acknowledged the importance of continued dialogue and agreed to remain in regular contact on these and other pertinent issues. The conversation comes at a time of active engagement between India and the U.S. on a proposed bilateral trade deal, with negotiations having entered their eleventh month. U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, had indicated prior to the call that contact between the two nations on trade issues was imminent, and he later described the call as positive and forward-looking. Additionally, an American readout confirmed that Secretary Rubio congratulated India on enacting the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India bill, expressing interest in expanding civil nuclear cooperation, enhancing opportunities for U.S. companies, and securing critical mineral supply chains. The discussions also touched upon regional developments and reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The exchange underscores the ongoing efforts by New Delhi and Washington to deepen their strategic partnership across economic and security domains.