Talking about tariffs, the US and India seek a "fair and balanced" trade agreement.

According to a US State Department statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar spoke over the phone Monday about the effects of recent US tariffs on India and how to promote a "fair and balanced trade relationship."

The discussion takes place just days after President Donald Trump declared a broad 10 percent base tax on all US imports, with higher rates on dozens of countries, including India, causing market turbulence and alarm among important allies.

According to an Indian government official over the weekend, who cited continuing negotiations aimed at finalizing a long-delayed bilateral trade deal with Washington, India, which faces a 26 percent tariff under the new regime, has chosen not to respond for the time being.

The EAM verified his contact with Rubio on microblogging site X and emphasized the significance of expediting the trade agreement.

"Agreed on the significance of the Bilateral Trade Agreement's early completion. He wrote, "Look forward to staying in touch."

"They also discussed U.S. reciprocal tariffs on India and how to make progress toward a fair and balanced trade relationship," the State Department said, echoing that view. The EAM verified his contact with Rubio on microblogging site X and emphasized the significance of expediting the trade agreement.

"Agreed on the significance of the Bilateral Trade Agreement's early completion. He wrote, "Look forward to staying in touch."

"They also discussed U.S. reciprocal tariffs on India and how to make progress toward a fair and balanced trade relationship," the State Department said, echoing that view.