Marco Rubio in India: delegation level talks with Jaishankar
In his opening remarks to his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said he is looking ahead and is confident of having “open and productive discussions”.
In his speech, Mr. Jaishankar said: “We have a comprehensive global strategic partnership, and I think that means, in plain language, that we have a very deep, very broad-based cooperation and a relationship that impacts and influences other regions and the world.”
“This is because we have common interests on many issues in many parts of the world. That is why I look forward to our meeting today. These are complex times, but I am confident that, as strong partners, we will have very open and productive discussions. Once again, we welcome you with a very warm welcome,” he added.
Both leaders will later hold a delegation-level meeting at Hyderabad House and discuss issues such as trade, energy, technology, etc. Discussions will be held focusing on strengthening cooperation in these fields.
Not restoration, but building on an already strong partnership: Rubio
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in his statement on Sunday, May 24, 2026, stated that India and the United States, as the two largest democracies, have laid the foundations of “incredible cooperation”, while emphasizing that his visit is not focused on “re-establishing” ties, but on developing what he described as “a very solid and strong strategic partnership”.
He called the US partnership with India “one of the most important partnerships in the world.”
Mr. Rubio made these remarks in the opening remarks of his meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
“It’s already been a great first day,” Mr. Rubio said in his speech. “We look forward to today’s visits, meetings, and learning more about the country.”
Echoing Mr. Jaishankar’s words that the US and India are “critically important strategic allies”, the US Secretary of State said, “Of course, we work with countries around the world and in the region on a variety of issues that arise, but our strategic partnership is what makes this relationship different, because it is not limited to just one region. It also encompasses opportunities for global cooperation in different parts of the world, and potentially includes the Western Hemisphere and places like that.”
Mr Rubio said India and the US share many common interests and will continue to foster “robust and strong” ties.
“We are the two largest democracies in the world, and that alone underpins incredible cooperation. But we have so many common interests that it makes perfect sense for us to continue to develop,” he said.
“This is not about repair or revitalization. I’ve seen people use that terminology. It’s about continuing to build on a very solid and strong strategic partnership that we already have, which is one of the most important partnerships in the world,” he added.
In the early hours of Saturday, May 23, 2026, Mr. Rubio called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also extended an invitation to visit the White House in the near future on behalf of US President Donald Trump.
In a statement on Saturday, May 23, 2026, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) briefed Mr Modi about “continuous progress” in bilateral cooperation in a wide range of sectors, including defence, strategic technologies, trade and investment, energy security, connectivity, education and people-to-people relations.
In a post on X, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor stated that during the meeting, both sides had a “productive discussion” on ways to deepen US-India cooperation in various sectors.
He also stated that India remains a “vital partner” of the United States.
“It’s great to join Secretary Rubio for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We had a productive discussion about ways to deepen U.S.-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 for the United States!” Mr. Gor shared on X.
“News! Secretary Marco Rubio extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi on behalf of President Donald Trump to visit the White House in the near future!” he added in another post.
It was published – 24 May 2026 12:28 IST
