US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a telephonic conversation with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on January 13, during which he congratulated India on the enactment of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) bill.

During the call, Secretary Rubio expressed interest in leveraging the legislation to deepen U.S.-India civil nuclear cooperation and to “expand opportunities for American companies, advance shared energy security goals, and secure critical mineral supply chains,” according to a statement from Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott.

Pigott said the two leaders also discussed ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiations and their shared interest in strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.

“They also exchanged perspectives on regional developments, reaffirming the United States’ and India’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Pigott added, noting that Secretary Rubio and Minister Jaishankar also exchanged New Year wishes.

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