US Launches FORGE Mineral Bloc and Seals India Trade Deal

The United States launched the Forum on Resource, Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE) during the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, D.C., on February 4, 2026. Convened by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and featuring opening remarks by Vice President JD Vance, the initiative brought together 54 countries and the European Union to diversify supply chains for minerals essential to AI and robotics, specifically to counter China's market dominance.

Parallel to the summit, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi finalized a landmark trade deal. The United States reduced reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. In return, India committed to reducing its own tariffs to zero and purchasing over $500 billion in U.S. energy, technology, and agricultural products. As part of this strategic convergence, Modi agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil to support efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Washington from February 2-4 to formalize these ties, meeting with Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. During the visit, the U.S. also introduced Project Vault, a strategic critical minerals reserve to protect American businesses from shortages.

Following the ministerial, Secretary Rubio announced that the U.S. is prepared to engage in talks with Iran in Oman, provided Tehran addresses its ballistic missile program, nuclear ambitions, and human rights record. Rubio emphasized that the U.S. does not view such engagement as a legitimization of the Iranian regime.