India US strategic partnership: Modi meets Marco Rubio on West Asia crisis and key sectors

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India and the United States will keep working together "for the global good\" on Saturday. The comment came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed Modi on the West Asia crisis. The two sides also discussed closer cooperation in defence, strategic technologies, trade, and energy security.

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Rubio met Modi soon after arriving in New Delhi and extended an invitation from President Donald Trump. Rubio invited Modi to visit the White House in the near future. Rubio also called India the cornerstone of Washingtons approach towards the Indo-Pacific, according to the account shared after the meeting.

India US partnership talks on defence trade energy security

Modi posted about the meeting on social media and referred to steady progress in ties. \"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 wrote. Modi added, \"India and the United States will continue to work closely for the global good.\"

Rubio also highlighted the agenda in a post on X and mentioned the Middle East situation. \"We discussed the situation in the Middle East and US-India partnership in energy, securing critical supply chains, and collaboration on emerging technologies. I was pleased to invite Prime Minister Modi to the White House on behalf of the President,\" Rubio said.

The US State Department said both leaders agreed to deepen trade and defence cooperation. It also said they want faster work on critical and emerging technologies. US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rubio stressed strong personal ties between the US President and the Prime Minister. Pigott also pointed to economic and commercial opportunities.

India US partnership and West Asia crisis briefing

According to an Indian readout, Rubio briefed Modi on wide-ranging cooperation. The sectors listed included defence, strategic technologies, trade and investment, and energy security. The readout also mentioned connectivity, education, and people-to-people ties. It said Rubio shared the US view on regional and global issues, including West Asia.

The same readout said Modi repeated Indias support for peace efforts. It said Modi called for conflicts to be settled through dialogue and diplomacy. The Prime Ministers Office also said Modi asked Rubio to pass on warm greetings to Trump. The note added that Modi looked forward to continued exchanges.

Pigott said the leaders also discussed the Middle East situation directly. \"The Secretary and the Prime Minister discussed the current situation in the Middle East. The Secretary emphasised 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 Indias energy supply,\" Pigott said.

Pigott said Modi and Rubio also reviewed earlier results in the relationship. These included investments linked to Mission 500, which aims to double trade by 2030. Pigott said these investments support the President and the Prime Ministers Mission 500 goal. The US trip is also viewed as part of efforts to recalibrate ties after headwinds since mid-last year.

India US partnership and Quad foreign ministers meeting schedule

Rubios four-day visit includes talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and a Quad foreign ministers conclave. Rubio was scheduled for bilateral talks with Jaishankar on Sunday. Rubio was also set to travel to Agra and Jaipur on Monday. Rubio was due back in Delhi on Tuesday morning for the Quad meeting.

Rubio reached India via Kolkata and visited the Mother House before flying to the capital. The Mother House is the headquarters of Saint Teresas Missionaries of Charity. After meeting Modi, Rubio spoke at an event at the US embassy. Rubio called India \"an incredibly important partner\" and said important announcements may come in months.

Rubio also spoke about the leaders relationship during the embassy event. \"The connection between the leaders is incredibly important. These are two very serious leaders who are focused not just on the short-term, but on the long-term. I think that that is important to note, because its a key part of the foundation, the relationship between our countries,\" Rubio said.

Rubio also said Washington is serious about expanding cooperation under the Quad. US Ambassador Gor, part of the Rubio-led delegation, described the Modi meeting 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!\" Gor said on X.

India US partnership consular services and visa scheduling tool

Rubio inaugurated the Support Annex Building at the US Mission. The mission said the new building will deliver critical consular services. Rubio linked the move to secure processing and relationship stability. \"We recognise that an orderly and secure consular system is vital to solidify this important relationship. Thats why were introducing a new America first visa scheduling tool that prioritises business professionals who strengthen these ties,\" Rubio said.

The visa scheduling tool was presented as part of a wider push to upgrade consulate operations. Rubio also mentioned USD 20 billion in investments announced by Indian companies in the US recently. Separately, Rubio told NDTV that a new green card policy is not aimed at India. The policy asks applicants to apply from home countries.

India US partnership strains tariffs and India Pakistan claims

Rubios visit came over five weeks after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Washington DC for three days. That trip focused on stabilising ties after uncertainty and strain. Relations worsened after Washington imposed punitive tariffs on India. Ties also dipped after Trump made claims about de-escalating India–Pakistan clashes last May.

Trump later repeated claims that the conflict was resolved by US action and saved millions of lives. New Delhi maintained the halt in hostilities followed talks between India and Pakistan. It said US involvement had no role in that outcome. Despite this, both sides took steps in recent months to repair ties and discuss a trade deal.

Trump and Modi also spoke by phone for nearly 40 minutes on April 14. After the call, Modi said both leaders reviewed progress in bilateral ties. Modi said both sides remained committed to strengthening the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership across areas. Rubio’s meetings and travel plan in India kept that engagement in focus.

With inputs from PTI