India's 'Smart Border' Promise: Secure Chicken's Neck, End Infiltration, Keep Neighbours Under Watch

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held extensive bilateral talks in Delhi covering defence cooperation, trade negotiations, energy security, nuclear cooperation, and key global developments. Speaking at a joint press conference, Jaishankar said India and the United States recently renewed their 10-year major defence partnership framework agreement and also signed a comprehensive underwater domain awareness roadmap. He stressed the importance of incorporating the “Make in India” approach and lessons from recent conflicts into future defence cooperation.On trade, Jaishankar said both sides discussed concluding the interim reciprocal trade agreement at an early date as a step towards a comprehensive bilateral trade pact envisioned during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit in February 2025. He added that an American delegation is expected to visit India soon for further negotiations. The two leaders also discussed energy cooperation, with Jaishankar emphasizing that ensuring affordable and accessible energy for 1.4 billion Indians remains a top priority for the government. He welcomed the expansion of India-US energy trade and highlighted the importance of diversified energy supplies for India’s energy security.Jaishankar further said discussions were held on nuclear energy cooperation following the passage of the Shanti Act, which he noted has opened new possibilities for collaboration between the two countries in the nuclear sector. The talks additionally covered major geopolitical developments, including West Asia, the Gulf region, the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, and the Ukraine conflict. Jaishankar said some overnight developments in the Gulf would also be discussed further during their lunch meeting.