Agencies | New Delhi:
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday praised the growing partnership between India and the United States, describing New Delhi as central to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
Speaking at the US Embassy Support Annex Building in New Delhi shortly after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rubio said the relationship between the two nations continues to strengthen under the leadership of Modi and US President Donald Trump.
“The partnership between India and the US is important. The relationship between PM Modi and Trump is very important,” Rubio said.
Highlighting India’s strategic significance, Rubio described bilateral ties as the “cornerstone” of the United States’ approach to the Indo-Pacific region. He noted that his first official engagement as Secretary of State was a meeting of the Quad grouping, underlining India’s crucial role in regional stability and cooperation.
“The relationship between our two countries is at the cornerstone of our approach to the Indo-Pacific,” Rubio said, adding that India plays an important role in America’s regional posture and long-term strategic vision.
Rubio also described Modi and Trump as “serious leaders” focused on long-term global and strategic goals. He said the personal rapport between the two leaders, developed during Trump’s first term in office, continues to shape bilateral cooperation.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi and Rubio discussed a wide range of issues, including enhancing cooperation across sectors, regional security, and the ongoing conflict in West Asia. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Modi reiterated India’s support for peaceful resolution of conflicts through “dialogue and diplomacy.”
The discussions also touched upon the ongoing tensions involving Iran and their impact on global energy markets. US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rubio assured India that the United States would not allow Iran to “hold the global energy market hostage.”
“The Secretary emphasized that the United States will not let Iran hold the global energy market hostage and affirmed that US energy products have the potential to diversify India’s energy supply,” Pigott said.
The remarks come amid concerns over disruptions in global energy flows following tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key international shipping route critical to oil supplies worldwide.
