External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio focusing on cooperation in areas of trade, critical minerals, nuclear energy and defence. The Jaishankar-Rubio phone call came a day after newly-appointed US ambassador Sergio Gor said there will be some contact between the two sides on the trade issue.

The external affairs minister said he had a "good conversation" with Rubio and that they agreed to remain in touch. "Just concluded a good conversation with @SecRubio. Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy," he said on social media. "Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues," he added.