S Jaishankar discusses India-US ties with Iowa Guv Kim Reynolds in New Delhi

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Monday, September 8, met US state Iowa’s Governor, Kim Reynolds, in Delhi. The leaders discussed India-US economic ties during the meeting.Reynolds, a Republican, is the first female governor of Iowa, the state that is known for its rolling fields, cornfields, and agricultural production.

“Met Governor Iowa Kim Reynolds in New Delhi today,” Jaishankar said on X (formerly Twitter) while sharing photographs of the two leaders. “Discussed India-US economic ties and its potential,” he added.

Met Governor Iowa @KimReynoldsIA in New Delhi today.

Discussed India-US economic ties and its potential.@IAGovernor???????? ???????? pic.twitter.com/9k9gvViQI8

– Dr. S. jaishankar (@drsjaishankar) September 8, 2025

The meeting holds importance as it signals an ongoing discussion between the Indian and American officials to finalise a trade agreement between the two countries.

India and the US are negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) to boost economic partnership and strengthen relations between the two countries. However, the talks, which started in March earlier this year, have witnessed setbacks as US President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods’ imports to the country, citing India’s oil purchase from Russia.

A US delegation was also scheduled to visit India during late August, but the meeting was postponed with no fixed schedule in sight.

Also read: Zelenskyy backs Trump’s tariffs on countries trading with Russia

Trump has also been making rhetorical remarks against India, stating that the country is helping Russia to fuel its war with Ukraine. He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, on Saturday, September 6, he said that he shares a good relationship with PM Modi. The remarks were welcomed by PM Modi, who stated that India and the US share a special and strategic partnership. The remarks from both sides signalled a softness in the rhetoric and probably the warming up of tensions between the two countries.

The US has been demanding access to the Indian agricultural and dairy markets. However, the Indian government has declined any kind of relaxation in these sectors, citing that doing so would harm the domestic farmers.

With the ongoing outreach, the two sides are expected to expedite the discussions on the BTA.