Marco Rubio India visit highlights: ‘New announcements ahead’ to strengthen US-India ties, says Rubio
Marco Rubio India visit highlights: US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Saturday discussed the importance of bilateral ties, saying the relationship with India remains a key part of Washington's strategic goals and pointed to more areas of cooperation in the future.
Marco Rubio India visit highlights: US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Saturday discussed the importance of bilateral ties, saying the relationship with India remains a key part of Washington's strategic goals and pointed to more areas of cooperation in the future....Read More
The top US diplomat is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in addition to attending a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers in New Delhi.
The US State Secretary arrived in Kolkata earlier today and visited the Mother House, the headquarters of Saint Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, before flying to New Delhi.
The visit assumes significance amid growing strategic convergence between the two countries and comes ahead of the upcoming QUAD foreign ministers' meeting scheduled to be held in New Delhi on May 26.
Rubio is the first visit by a top American diplomat to the eastern metropolis in 14 years, news agency PTI reported.
Rubio is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi later in the day. He will also hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday before participating in the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in the national capital on Tuesday.
Apart from Delhi, Rubio is also expected to travel to Agra and Jaipur during the visit.
Strategic partnership back in focus
The visit is being seen as an effort by both countries to maintain momentum in the India-US partnership at a time when global conflicts and trade tensions are reshaping diplomatic priorities.
Speaking about the trip on Friday, Rubio described India as a key partner for Washington.
Officials are expected to discuss a range of strategic issues, including the ongoing US-Iran conflict and its wider economic implications, particularly concerns linked to global energy supplies.
Trade and tariff concerns likely to feature in talks
Recent tensions linked to US tariffs on India are also expected to come up during discussions between the two sides. The visit is being viewed as a high-level diplomatic effort to stabilise and strengthen bilateral engagement despite differences on certain economic issues.
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- 23 May 2026, 10:45:28 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Key points so far
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Here are the key points of Rubio's India visit:
- India and the United States will continue working together for the benefit of the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed him on the situation in West Asia and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in key areas such as defence, strategic technologies, trade and energy security.
- Rubio, who met Modi soon after arriving in New Delhi, extended an invitation on behalf of Donald Trump for the Prime Minister to visit the White House in the "near future". The senior American official also described India as the "cornerstone" of Washington's strategy in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The US State Department said both leaders agreed to expand cooperation in trade and defence, while speeding up joint efforts in critical and emerging technologies.
- Following his meeting with the Prime Minister, Rubio spoke at an event at the United States embassy and called India an "incredibly important partner" for the United States. He also suggested that both countries are preparing for important announcements in the coming months aimed at strengthening relations further.
- During his address, Rubio spoke about different aspects of India and US ties and referred to how the relationship between Modi and Trump continues to shape cooperation between the two countries.
- US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the Secretary of State highlighted the strategic value of the India and the US partnership, the close personal connection between the President and the Prime Minister, and the major economic and business opportunities shared by both nations.
- Pigott also said Modi and Rubio reviewed progress in bilateral relations, including major investments linked to the President and Prime Minister's "Mission 500" initiative to double trade by 2030.
- According to the Indian side's statement, Rubio updated the Prime Minister 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 Secretary of State also shared Washington's views on several regional and international matters, including the situation in West Asia, according to the statement.
- The Prime Minister reiterated India's support for peace efforts and stressed the need to resolve conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.
- According to the Prime Minister's Office statement, Modi asked Rubio to convey his warm wishes to President Trump and said he looked forward to continuing their discussions.
- 23 May 2026, 10:46:19 PM IST
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- 23 May 2026, 09:45:43 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Rubio conveys Trump's White House invite to Modi
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: India and the US 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 discussed ways to bolster bilateral ties in crucial sectors, including 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", even as the top American diplomat described India as the "cornerstone" of Washington's approach towards the Indo-Pacific.
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- 23 May 2026, 09:05:27 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: ‘Modi and Trump two serious leaders focused on long term’, says Rubio
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday said that the bilateral partnership between the two nations is steadily deepening.
He said, "It is a personal relationship (between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump) which dates back to the first administration when the President had a chance to visit here, and it has carried over into the second administration. You can just see the connection between them. The connection between leaders is incredibly important. These are two very serious leaders who are focused not just on the short term but on the long term."
- 23 May 2026, 08:48:41 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Rubio touts US energy on India trip
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed trade and energy with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday on a visit aimed at shoring up relations battered by Washington's tariffs.
Rubio - who said before the trip the U.S. wanted to sell India energy - pressed his case and told Modi that "US energy products have the potential to diversify India’s energy supply," according to a US summary of the meeting.
Rubio "emphasised that the United States will not let Iran hold the global energy market hostage," his office added.
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- 23 May 2026, 08:15:07 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Rubio feels the Delhi heat, asks ‘shouldn’t it be getting cooler’
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Audience burst into laughter as US secretary of state Marco Rubio struggled with Delhi's heat on Saturday.
He said, "I wanted to keep this speech short because it’s hot! I’m from Miami and that is like humid hot but this is something else. What time is it? Shouldn’t it be getting cooler?”
- 23 May 2026, 07:52:21 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Modi, Rubio discuss bilateral ties, West Asia crisis
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: India and the US 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.
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- 23 May 2026, 07:36:43 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: ‘New announcements ahead’, says Rubio
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Marco Rubio on Saturday discussed the pivotal nature of the bilateral bond, asserting that the relationship with India serves as a foundational element of Washington's strategic objectives.
Looking ahead to a more robust phase of bilateral engagement, the visiting diplomat hinted at further collaborative milestones on the horizon.
"We think in the months ahead, we're going to have even more exciting and new announcements to make about the development and the strengthening of the relationship between the two countries," he added.
- 23 May 2026, 07:11:43 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: US-Iran deal soon? Rubio says ‘chance’ of Iran accepting deal today
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: US secretary of state Marco Rubio said there is a "chance" that Iran could agree to a deal with the United States as early as today, adding that progress has been made in the talks.
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- 23 May 2026, 07:02:48 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Rubio hails India-US ties as ‘cornerstone’ of Indo-Pacific approach
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Speaking on the deep strategic alignment between New Delhi and Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday described the relationship between India and the United States as the "cornerstone" of America's approach to the Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking at the dedication ceremony of the new US Embassy Support Annex Building in New Delhi, Rubio, who is on an official visit to India, announced that the US is introducing a new "America First" visa schedule aimed at prioritising business professionals to further strengthen bilateral ties.
"It is at the cornerstone of this important partnership between us and India, which, as I said, is an incredibly important one. And it's the reason why I'm here on this visit to reaffirm those ties, to build upon them," Rubio said.
- 23 May 2026, 06:34:36 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Rubio introduces America First visa schedule
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Speaking at the US embassy support annex building dedication ceremony, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said, "We're introducing a new America First visa schedule that prioritises business professionals that strengthen these ties. But the facility, as I said, is not just for those who are applying for visas. It's also for you, the Americans who work here, the men and women of this mission, who are at the front lines every single day of advancing America's national interest and America's national security. So it's an honour to be here today. I wanted to keep this brief because it's hot...I want to say one thing. This facility saved Americans money because it's going to make us more efficient. It's going to allow us to do the work we have to do anyways, but allow us to do it more accurately, faster, and in a more efficient way. And so this is very important..."
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- 23 May 2026, 06:16:41 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Rubio inaugurates US embassy support annex building
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: US secretary of state Marco Rubio inaugurated the US embassy support annex building. US ambassador to India Sergio Gor was also present at the event.
- 23 May 2026, 06:06:57 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: ‘New announcements in coming months’, says Rubio on US-India ties
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Speaking at the US embassy support annex building dedication ceremony, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said, "It is at the cornerstone of this important partnership between us and India, which, as I said, is an incredibly important one. And it's the reason why I'm here on this visit to reaffirm those ties, to build upon them. We think in the months ahead, we're going to have even more exciting and new announcements to make about the development and the strengthening of the relationship between the two countries."
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- 23 May 2026, 06:02:08 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: Rubio says India-US ties on ‘solid footing’, hails Trump-Modi relationship
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio inaugurates a new US Embassy Support Annex building during his visit to India.
In his speech, he said that the relationship between the United States and India is “on solid footing” and that “there is incredible potential ahead”.
Speaking on PM Modi and US President Donald Trump's relationship, he said: “It is a personal relationship (between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump) which dates back to the first administration when the President had a chance to visit here and it has carried over into the second administration. You can just see the connection between them...The connection between leaders is incredibly important. These are two very serious leaders who are focused not just on the short term but on the long term..”
- 23 May 2026, 04:56:04 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: US calls India ‘vital partner’ as Rubio holds talks with PM Modi
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with PM Modi in New Delhi deepening India-US ties across trade, security and critical technologies.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and US Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker were among those present in the meeting between PM Modi and Secretary Rubio. (ANI)
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- 23 May 2026, 04:23:51 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: PM Modi discusses sustained progress of India-US ties with Rubio
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: PM Modi, in a post on X, said he was happy to receive US Secretary of State 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 in a post on X. He added that India and the US will continue to work closely for the global good.
- 23 May 2026, 04:16:51 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: Marco Rubio meets Modi, extends invite to PM to visit White House
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the US, American Ambassador Sergio Gor said. “Secretary Marco Rubio extended an invite on behalf of President Donald Trump, for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House in the near future,” Gor said in a post on X.
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- 23 May 2026, 04:03:23 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: Rubio’s meeting with PM Modi underway
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at ‘Sewa Teerth’ is still underway.
- 23 May 2026, 03:59:24 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: Marco Rubio visits missionaries of charity In Kolkata
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- 23 May 2026, 03:55:01 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: Trade and tariff concerns likely to feature in talks
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: Recent tensions linked to US tariffs on India are also expected to come up during discussions between the two sides. The visit is being viewed as a high-level diplomatic effort to stabilise and strengthen bilateral engagement despite differences on certain economic issues.
- 23 May 2026, 03:01:21 PM IST
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: What's on Marco Rubio's agenda?
Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: Rubio’s four-day India visit is expected to focus on the Quad partnership, energy security, defence cooperation, trade and critical technologies.
The visit coincides with the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting involving India, the US, Japan and Australia. Dicussions are expected to centre on Indo-Pacific coordination, defence cooperation, emerging technologies and supply-chain resilience amid concerns over China’s growing influence in the region.
Energy security is set to be a key issue during the visit. India continues to buy discounted Russian oil, while the US is pushing to increase LNG and crude exports to India. Instability in the Gulf regions and concerns over global energy flows factor in.
Trade and investment discussions are also expected amid ongoing tariff disputes and friction over sanctions. Officials are likely to explore interim agreements and broader cooperation in sectors linked to semiconductors, batteries and critical minerals.
Defence cooperation will feature prominently in the talks. India already operates several US-origin defence platforms, including Boeing P-8 Poseidon aircraft, MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, M777 howitzers and C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.
Beyond defence purchases, both sides are expected to discuss co-production of military systems and collaboration in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and space technology.
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- 23 May 2026, 02:40:24 PM IST
Marco Rubio India Visit Updates: What Rubio said after landing in India
Marco Rubio India Visit Updates: “Landed in India. Looking forward to a great visit,” Rubio said in a social media post as he began his official visit.
Rubio arrived in Kolkata earlier in the day, where he visited the Mother House, the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, before heading to the national capital. He is set to meet PM Modi shortly.
- 23 May 2026, 02:32:05 PM IST
Marco Rubio India Visit Updates: Rubio arrives at PMO to meet Modi
Marco Rubio India Visit Updates: US secretary of state Marco Rubio has arrived at the Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi for a scheduled meeting with PM Modi, NDTV reported.
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- 23 May 2026, 02:25:37 PM IST
Marco Rubio India Visit Updates: Marco Rubio to meet PM Modi, hold talks with Jaishankar on Sunday
Marco Rubio India Visit Updates: Rubio is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi later in the day. He will also hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday before participating in the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in the national capital on Tuesday.
- 23 May 2026, 02:02:30 PM IST
Marco Rubio India Visit Updates: Rubio to meet PM Modi with energy, trade ties in focus
Marco Rubio India Visit Updates: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, with energy security high on the agenda as the South Asian nation grapples with soaring oil prices and supply disruptions stemming from the war in Iran.
Ahead of the visit, Rubio said Washington was prepared to supply more energy to the world’s most-populous nation as India looks to diversify imports after the Middle East conflict disrupted global flows.
India has been hit hard because of its heavy reliance on energy supplies shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway effectively blocked soon after Iran was attacked late February. As surging oil prices batter the rupee and trigger record foreign outflows from local equities, the government this month rushed to introduce measures to contain the fallout, including raising fuel prices.
India has also ramped up purchases of Russian oil during the conflict, after briefly pulling back last year under pressure from Washington.
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- 23 May 2026, 01:56:22 PM IST
Marco Rubio India Visit Updates: Ahead of talks with PM Modi, Sergio Gor shares selfie With Rubio
- 23 May 2026, 01:46:57 PM IST
Marco Rubio India Visit Updates: US State Secy Marco Rubio arrives in Delhi after Kolkata visit, to hold talks with PM Modi
Marco Rubio India Visit Updates: United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accompanied by his wife Jeanette D Rubio, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and US Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel, arrived in New Delhi on Saturday after concluding his visit to Kolkata earlier in the day.
During his visit to the national capital, Rubio is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and deliver remarks at the dedication ceremony of the US Embassy Support Annex Building.
Earlier in the day, Rubio visited Kolkata, where he paid tribute to Mother Teresa at the Missionaries of Charity.
In a post on X, Rubio said, "Mother Teresa left a tremendous legacy of compassion and service. I was honored to visit the Missionaries of Charity today to pay homage to her legacy and to see the living example of the Catholic faith in action."
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- 23 May 2026, 01:16:29 PM IST
Marco Rubio India Visit Updates: Rubio arrives in India ahead of Quad talks
Marco Rubio India Visit Updates: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India on Saturday ahead of a meeting next week with his counterparts from India, Australia, and Japan, members of the Indo-Pacific strategic alliance known as the Quad.
Rubio's first official trip to India comes as Washington seeks to stabilize relations with New Delhi after ties soured over President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, which raised duties on several Indian exports.
Much of Rubio’s four-day visit, however, will focus on a multi-city tour, along with a gala reception in New Delhi marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.