US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday called the India-US relationship one of Washington’s most important strategic partnerships during delegation-level talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi.
The meeting at Hyderabad House followed Rubio’s discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the previous day. Both sides addressed defence cooperation, trade, energy security, strategic technologies and regional developments.
Rubio said the two largest democracies have much to discuss and work on, providing a strong foundation for cooperation.
He rejected suggestions that the relationship needed reinvigoration, describing it as already solid and steadily expanding. Rubio called it one of the most important partnerships for the United States and globally.
The comments signal that the broader strategic framework remains robust despite occasional differences on trade and geopolitical issues.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Rubio and Modi covered defence, trade, investment, connectivity, energy and emerging technologies. Modi posted that the talks advanced the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and addressed regional and global security.
Rubio conveyed an invitation from President Donald Trump for Modi to visit the White House soon.
The visit seeks to strengthen engagement after relations faced some turbulence since mid-last year.
Rubio began his trip in Kolkata, visiting the Missionaries of Charity headquarters, before travelling to Delhi.
He is scheduled to visit Agra and Jaipur before returning for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
The Quad, comprising India, the United States, Japan and Australia, serves as a platform for Indo-Pacific cooperation amid concerns over regional security and maritime stability.
