INDIA and the United States will continue to work closely for the global good, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed him on the West Asia crisis and bilateral cooperation in defence, strategic technologies, trade and energy security. Rubio, who met Modi shortly after landing in New Delhi, invited the Prime Minister on behalf of President Donald Trump to visit the White House in the “near future,” according to US Ambassador Sergio Gor.

 

The US Secretary of State’s four-day India trip is largely seen as an attempt to recalibrate bilateral relations that have faced headwinds since mid-last year. “Happy to receive the US Secretary of State, Mr Marco Rubio. We discussed sustained progress in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and issues related to regional and global peace and security,” Modi said on social media. The US State Department said, Secretary Marco Rubio and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to deepen trade and defence cooperation and accelerate collaboration on critical and emerging technologies. After the meeting with the Prime Minister, Rubio, addressing an event at the US embassy, described India as an “incredibly important partner” for the US and indicated that the two sides are planning to make certain important announcements in the coming months to further solidify relations.

 

Addressing the gathering before inaugurating the US Embassy’s Support Annex building in New Delhi, Rubio spotlighted the ‘important role’ India plays in the US approach to the Indo-Pacific. ‘It is a sign of our commitment to this important relationship between the United States and India. This relationship between our two countries is at the cornerstone of our approach to the Indo-Pacific,’ said Rubio. US State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, referring to Rubio’s meeting with Modi, said the Secretary of State underscored the strategic importance of the US-India partnership, the strong personal ties between the US President and Prime Minister Modi, as well as the profound economic and commercial opportunities for the two sides. Modi and Rubio also reflected upon bilateral achievements including significant investments that advance the President and the Prime Minister’s “Mission 500” to double trade by 2030, he said.

 

According to an Indian readout, Rubio briefed PM Modi on the “sustained progress in bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including defence, strategic technologies, trade and investment, energy security, connectivity, education and people-to-people ties”. The US Secretary of State shared the US perspective on various regional and global issues, including the situation in West Asia, it said. PM Modi reaffirmed India’s consistent support for peace efforts and reiterated the call for peaceful resolution of the conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, it said. The readout from the Prime Minister’s Office said Modi requested Secretary Rubio to convey his warm greetings to President Trump and said that he looked forward to their continued exchanges. Pigott said the Secretary of State shared his appreciation for India hosting the upcoming Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and looked forward to advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region alongside Australia, India, and Japan.

 

US Ambassador Gor, who was also part of the Rubio-led delegation, described the meeting with PM Modi as “productive”. “We had a productive discussion on ways to deepen US-India cooperation across security, trade, and critical technologies - areas that strengthen both our nations and advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. India is a vital partner to the United States!” he said on ‘X’. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Kolkata this morning, visiting the Mother House -- the headquarters of Saint Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity -- before flying to the national capital. On Sunday, Rubio is scheduled for bilateral talks with Jaishankar. The Secretary of State will travel to Agra and Jaipur on Monday before returning to Delhi on Tuesday morning for the QUAD Foreign Ministers meeting. Rubio’s trip to India comes over five weeks after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri undertook a three-day visit to Washington DC that focused on stabilising the ties after a spell of uncertainty and strain. The two sides have resolved to firm up a mutually beneficial trade deal soon.