MEA Issues Formal Denial: Doval-Rubio Trade Meeting Report Dismissed as Fabrication

The Ministry of External Affairs has categorically refuted a Bloomberg report alleging a clandestine meeting between India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss bilateral trade negotiations. In an official statement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal characterized the claims as 'baseless' and unequivocally asserted that 'no such visit took place.' This denial comes amid heightened diplomatic scrutiny following recent announcements of a forthcoming India-U.S. trade agreement. The swift and firm rebuttal underscores the Indian government's commitment to transparency in high-level diplomatic engagements and signals its intent to counter what it perceives as misinformation in international media. Analysts note that such public denials are rare for the MEA, suggesting the report's potential to disrupt sensitive trade negotiations or bilateral trust. The incident highlights the complex information environment surrounding major international agreements, where unverified claims can quickly gain traction. This development warrants close monitoring as both nations navigate the final stages of their trade deal, with diplomatic channels likely to emphasize verified communications over speculative reporting.