NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Thursday rebutted a Bloomberg report which claimed that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had a meeting with US secretary of state Marco Rubio before New Delhi And Washington reached an agreement on the trade deal.In a weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the report baseless and said that no such meeting took place.”There is absolutely no basis of that report. No such meeting or visit took place,” Jaiswal said.Also read | India won’t be bullied by Trump, Doval told Rubio; govt was willing to wait out US president’s term, says reportEarlier on Wednesday, news outlet Bloomberg reported that Doval met Rubio in September last year and told him that Narendra Modi-led government was willing to wait out US President Donald Trump’s term for the trade agreement if Washington does not dial down public criticism of New Delhi.Doval also reportedly told Rubio that India won’t be bullied by Trump or his top aides.Also read| India-US trade deal: How Delhi’s behind-the-scenes push cracked Trump tariff wallThis comes after the US President announced a trade deal with India on Monday, slashing tariffs from 50 per cent to 18 per cent.“It was an Honor to speak with Prime Minister Modi, of India, this morning. He is one of my greatest friends and, a Powerful and Respected Leader of his Country. We spoke about many things, including Trade, and ending the War with Russia and Ukraine. He agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the United States and, potentially, Venezuela,” Trump announced in a social media post on Truth Social.Earlier on Tuesday, Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal said that the “much-awaited trade deal” with the US has been successfully concluded.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosLok Sabha Passes President’s Address Without PM’s Reply For The First Time Since 2004 Amid StandoffIndia Can Wait Out Trump: Ajit Doval Warned Marco Rubio Against Bullying On Trade Deal, Says ReportIndia’s AI Rise Gets Global Push As UN Chief Praises Leadership, Nvidia CEO Predicts Job Surge’No Fixed Timeline Yet’: Jaishankar Clears Air About The Process Behind India-US Trade Negotiations’India Will Decide…’: Russia Backs Delhi After US Claims PM Modi Agreed To Stop Buying Russian OilEAM Jaishankar, Marco Rubio Underscore De-Risking Supply Chains At US Critical Minerals MeetOppn Women MPs Storm Treasury Benches Amid Protests: Inside PM Modi’s Lok Sabha Speech Cancellation‘This is the era for India’: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Hails New Delhi’s Economic Rise’Agriculture, Dairy Protected’: Piyush Goyal Cheers India-US Pact; Jaishankar Meets Trump Top Aides’Insulted Sikh Community’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Remark At Ravneet Bittu123PhotostoriesExclusive photos that will shock you: Gas tanker crash chokes Pune–Mumbai expressway for 32 hours7 animals with the strangest and weirdest eyes in the animal kingdom10 things to buy from Surajkund International Crafts Mela this year32 hours, 30,000+ trucks, ambulances frozen, families sleeping in cars: Mega Pune-Mumbai Expressway jam explainedTop 7 real estate hotspots in Greater Noida in 20266 ultra-luxury cars for women who value style and power5 costly mistakes to avoid when purchasing your first homeThe 50: From an ugly clash between Rajat Dalal and Prince Narula to Elvish Yadav’s friend Archit Kaushik physically attacking Maxtern: Highlights from the episode5 best ways to cook broccoli for maximum health benefits7 flower seeds to sow in February for a colourful garden all season123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionGCC Unified Visa 2026Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingNBA Trade NewsMLB Trade RumorsCardi BKayla NicoleLindsey Vonn ACL InjuryCooper DeJeanTom BradyDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsWho is Mickey Lolich WifeMickey Lolich Passes Away
NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Thursday rebutted a Bloomberg report which claimed that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had a meeting with US secretary of state Marco Rubio before New Delhi And Washington reached an agreement on the trade deal.In a weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the report baseless and said that no such meeting took place.“There is absolutely no basis of that report. No such meeting or visit took place,” Jaiswal said.Also read | India won’t be bullied by Trump, Doval told Rubio; govt was willing to wait out US president’s term, says reportEarlier on Wednesday, news outlet Bloomberg reported that Doval met Rubio in September last year and told him that Narendra Modi-led government was willing to wait out US President Donald Trump’s term for the trade agreement if Washington does not dial down public criticism of New Delhi.Doval also reportedly told Rubio that India won’t be bullied by Trump or his top aides.Also read| India-US trade deal: How Delhi’s behind-the-scenes push cracked Trump tariff wallThis comes after the US President announced a trade deal with India on Monday, slashing tariffs from 50 per cent to 18 per cent.“It was an Honor to speak with Prime Minister Modi, of India, this morning. He is one of my greatest friends and, a Powerful and Respected Leader of his Country. We spoke about many things, including Trade, and ending the War with Russia and Ukraine. He agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the United States and, potentially, Venezuela,” Trump announced in a social media post on Truth Social.Earlier on Tuesday, Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal said that the “much-awaited trade deal” with the US has been successfully concluded.