New Delhi, Feb 5 (NationPress) On Thursday, India firmly dismissed a report from Bloomberg asserting that a meeting occurred last year between National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a period of stalled trade discussions between the two nations.

The report further claimed that New Delhi had indicated a willingness to wait for the conclusion of US President Donald Trump's term to finalize a trade agreement.

In response to inquiries regarding the Bloomberg story, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "There is absolutely no foundation for that report. No such meeting or visit has occurred." This statement was made during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi.

Earlier on the same day, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar cited the impending historic India-US trade deal, which he described as "in the final stages of detailing," noting the evident "strong momentum" in the growing cooperation between New Delhi and Washington.

Jaishankar made these remarks at the conclusion of his visit to the United States from February 2-4, during which he participated in a Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by Secretary Rubio.

"Concluded a productive and positive visit to the US. Thank Secretary Rubio for his warm hospitality," he expressed on X.

The External Affairs Minister emphasized that the historic trade agreement is nearing completion, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations, with significant opportunities for cooperation. He added that advancements in critical mineral collaboration are progressing swiftly, with expectations for increased engagement on strategic matters, defense, and energy in the near future.

During this important visit, Jaishankar also engaged with senior US administration officials.

These discussions included meetings with Secretary Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, where they explored a wide range of topics related to the India-US strategic and economic partnership.

“Delighted to meet US Secretary Rubio this afternoon,” Jaishankar posted on X after their meeting, indicating a comprehensive discussion that covered their bilateral cooperation agenda along with regional and global issues.

The discussions with Rubio encompassed several facets of the India-US relationship, including trade, energy, nuclear matters, defense, critical minerals, and technology.

Jaishankar noted that both parties agreed to act swiftly on follow-up engagements, stating, “Agreed on the early meetings of various mechanisms to advance our shared interests.”

According to the US State Department readout, the discussions also aimed at formalizing cooperation between both nations in the exploration, mining, and processing of critical minerals, which has become a vital area in the economic and strategic relationship between India and the US.

This meeting took place a day after President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a trade agreement aimed at reducing barriers and enhancing market access between the two largest democracies in the world.

Both Secretary Rubio and EAM Jaishankar praised the agreement, highlighting the significance of the two democracies collaborating to unlock new economic prospects and advance shared energy security objectives.

The discussions also emphasized the significance of regional and multilateral dimensions of the partnership. They concluded their meeting by reaffirming their commitment to enhancing both bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, recognizing that a prosperous Indo-Pacific region is crucial for advancing shared interests.

On the same day, EAM Jaishankar also met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington, expressing pleasure at the opportunity to meet.

Jaishankar characterized the talks as fruitful, stating, “Had a useful discussion on the advancement of the India-US economic partnership and strategic cooperation.”

These two meetings reflect the expanding scope of engagement between India and the US, covering areas such as diplomacy, security, trade, and finance. Senior officials from both sides have stressed the necessity for closer coordination across departments to translate political momentum into tangible results.

In recent years, India and the US have broadened their cooperation in various sectors, including defense, energy, and emerging technologies, while also strengthening economic ties through trade and investment. Both nations have identified critical minerals and advanced technologies as priority areas, given their critical role in clean energy transitions and high-end manufacturing.

The latest high-level engagements follow ongoing dialogue between New Delhi and Washington on regional and global matters, including developments in the Indo-Pacific. Officials from both countries have described the India-US partnership as a central pillar of their respective foreign policy strategies.