On Sunday, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar engaged in crucial talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focusing on maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader stability of West Asia. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including global order, civil nuclear cooperation, defense, trade agreements, terrorism, and migration. Jaishankar emphasized the strategic partnership between India and the U.S., which is rooted in shared national interests. He noted that recent developments in the Gulf and the ongoing Ukraine conflict were also significant points of discussion. The two leaders agreed on the importance of the 'Make in India' approach in defense and the need to learn from recent conflicts. Furthermore, Jaishankar expressed optimism about concluding the interim trade agreement soon, which is a step towards a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement envisioned during Prime Minister Modi's visit in February 2025. Rubio reiterated the significance of the India-U.S. partnership, highlighting the alignment of interests between the two largest democracies in the world.