Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

Force in Play

Expressed condolences

Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport remains closed to normal operations after Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority extended its suspension on November 4, saying it needed to verify the safety of facilities. The Houthis claimed a ballistic missile hit the airport that day. On November 5 they said a drone struck King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and disrupted air traffic; Saudi authorities did not confirm either claim.

Updated 4 days ago

Rule Changes

Says deal is close but cautions 'it's never done till it's done'

In February 2026, President Donald Trump cut tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18% after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India would stop buying Russian oil, and India put $500 billion of US energy, aircraft and technology purchases on the table over five years. No binding agreement has been signed. The US Supreme Court then struck down the reciprocal tariff regime that the 18% rate rested on, leaving duties on Indian exports unsettled.

Updated Oct 31

New Capabilities

As of July 2026: Announced and is overseeing Operation Amistad

Two weeks after the June 24 twin earthquakes, Venezuela's confirmed death toll reached 3,535 — more than double the figure recorded in the first days after the disaster. Most international rescue teams have withdrawn, leaving 29,567 Venezuelan military and security personnel and more than 27,000 volunteers to continue recovery.

Updated Jul 9

Money Moves

As of May 2026: Active in diplomatic reset negotiations

Sixteen months ago, Canada and India had no ambassadors in each other's capitals. Ottawa had accused New Delhi of orchestrating the assassination of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil, and both countries expelled six of each other's diplomats in a single day. On March 2, 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed five agreements worth $5.5 billion, launched free trade negotiations, and set a target of increasing bilateral trade from $9 billion to $50 billion by 2030.

Updated May 30

Rule Changes

As of May 2026: Chaired Quad ministerial; co-signed India-US Critical Minerals Framework; outlined five-point trade position

The Quad foreign ministers met in New Delhi on May 26 and produced three concrete agreements: a joint critical minerals framework, an Indo-Pacific maritime surveillance initiative, and the Quad's first joint infrastructure project — a port in Fiji. Rubio called the trade deal 'on the verge.'

Updated May 26

Rule Changes

As of May 2026: Signed Security and Defence Partnership for India

India and the European Union became strategic partners in 2004. At the 16th EU-India Summit on January 27, 2026, they signed a Security and Defence Partnership, making India the third Asian country (after Japan and South Korea) to gain formal access to European defence initiatives. They also concluded a historic free trade agreement (covering 2 billion people and a $27 trillion combined market) that enters force in 2027, giving Indian firms access to the EU's €150 billion SAFE rearmament programme.

Updated May 23

Built World

As of May 2026: Advancing US-India strategic reset on trade, energy, and critical minerals while managing Russia ties

On December 5, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in New Delhi for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit. They unveiled a 'Programme for Economic Cooperation' through 2030 targeting $100 billion in annual trade and diversification beyond oil and arms, including joint weapons production, a urea plant, agriculture, health, shipping, and labor mobility. The agreement includes a free trade pact with the Eurasian Economic Union despite looming US sanctions.

Updated May 9