Jaishankar, Goyal hold key NYC talks on tariffs
As India and the US navigate crucial trade discussions, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held important meetings in New York, underlining the significance of bilateral ties. Both countries are working to resolve tariff disputes, ease tensions, and strengthen long-term economic cooperation.
India, US Talks in New York: Tariffs, Visas, and the Road AheadThe United States and India are finding themselves at a turning point in their partnership, one that is being tested by tariffs, visa changes, and global uncertainties. In New York on Monday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar sat down with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. At the same time, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met his American counterpart, Trade Representative Katherine Greer, in what observers say is part of an urgent attempt to steady one of the world’s most important bilateral relationships.
First Jaishankar–Rubio Meeting After Trump’s Tariff MoveThe Jaishankar–Rubio meeting, held at the Lotte New York Palace hotel, marked their first face-to-face engagement since President Donald Trump stunned New Delhi with a 25% additional tariff on Indian imports. The new measure, imposed in retaliation for India’s ongoing purchase of discounted Russian crude, doubled the levy burden to 50% on some categories.
Tariffs are not new in India-US trade relations, but the timing was a shock. India has leaned on Russian oil to cushion domestic inflation and keep energy affordable. Washington’s move, therefore, landed not just as a diplomatic signal but also as an economic challenge that could ripple into ordinary Indian households through higher prices.
Against this backdrop, Jaishankar and Rubio discussed what the US Department of State described as a “range of bilateral and international issues of current concern.” Rubio struck a conciliatory note afterward:
His words reflected Washington’s delicate balancing act — enforcing policy toughness while avoiding a rupture with a key strategic partner.
Even as tariffs dominated headlines, the H-1B visa fee hike emerged as the emotional flashpoint of the week. In a move that left India’s vast tech workforce reeling, Trump’s administration announced a \$100,000 (~₹90 lakh) filing fee per petition for new H-1B visas.
For Silicon Valley, where Indian engineers form the backbone of companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta, the announcement caused a wave of panic. Young professionals in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune immediately began calculating whether their dreams of moving to America were now out of reach. Recruiters reported confusion, and companies braced for higher costs.
Sensing the outcry, the White House scrambled to clarify. On September 20, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt issued a statement:
“This is NOT an annual fee. It’s a one-time fee that applies only to the petition.
The clarification calmed nerves somewhat, but the damage was done. For many in India’s middle class, the episode highlighted the unpredictability of US policy and the precariousness of building a future around visas.
Goyal Meets Greer: The Trade AngleMeanwhile, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal pressed forward with his own set of talks. Meeting Katherine Greer, the US Trade Representative, for the third time this year — following earlier rounds in March and May — he focused on salvaging momentum in trade discussions.
The two leaders revisited commitments made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent interactions with President Trump, which had signaled warmer ties despite disagreements. Both sides acknowledged that the bilateral trade relationship, now worth nearly \$200 billion annually, is too important to derail.
For India, easing tariff burdens on exports such as steel, aluminum, and pharmaceuticals remains a top priority. For the US, greater access to India’s agricultural and digital markets continues to be a demand. Monday’s meeting did not yield a breakthrough, but it reaffirmed dialogue at a time when silence would have been more dangerous than disagreement.
The Bigger Picture: Stakes Beyond NumbersBehind the formal statements lies a complex web of human consequences. Tariffs and visa hikes are not abstract levers of policy — they ripple into daily lives.
In India, exporters worry about losing competitiveness in the American market. Small business owners who depend on contracts with US buyers face shrinking margins. A steel manufacturer in Gujarat explained, “If our product becomes 50% more expensive overnight because of tariffs, who will buy it?”
For students and tech workers, the H-1B issue looms even larger. Every year, over 70% of H-1B visas go to Indians. For young graduates, the new fee raised fears that companies might reduce sponsorships, cutting off one of the most reliable pathways to global mobility. Families who had pinned hopes on a son or daughter building a life in the US now watch the policy landscape anxiously.
Despite the turbulence, seasoned diplomats insist the India-US partnership has weathered storms before. The two countries are bound by strategic realities: China’s rise, the need for resilient supply chains, and collaboration in technology, energy, and defense.
Still, trust matters. Sudden tariffs and visa shocks risk breeding resentment. For Modi’s government, balancing domestic expectations with Washington’s demands will be tricky. For Trump’s administration, enforcing hardline measures without alienating a key ally will require finesse.
The week’s meetings in New York underscored one truth: India and the US need each other, but both sides must work harder to prevent disagreements from overshadowing decades of progress.
As one Indian diplomat put it quietly after the meetings, “It’s like a marriage. You may argue, but you keep talking — because walking away is not an option.”