Rubio invites Modi to White House as India-US ties focus on trade, defence and energy

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday and conveyed an invitation from President Donald Trump for the Indian leader to visit the White House in the “near future”, as the two sides discussed trade, defence, energy security, strategic technologies and the crisis in West Asia.

Rubio, who arrived in India on a four-day visit, held talks with Modi shortly after landing in the national capital. His trip comes amid efforts by both countries to stabilise ties after months of strain over tariffs, trade disputes and differences linked to regional issues.

Prime Minister Modi said India and the United States would continue to work closely together on regional and global issues.

“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.

“India and the United States will continue to work closely for the global good,” he said.

According to the US State Department, Rubio and Modi agreed to deepen cooperation in trade and defence while accelerating collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.

Rubio also briefed Modi on the situation in West Asia and discussed energy security. The US Secretary of State said Washington would not allow Iran to “hold the global energy market hostage” and stressed that American energy exports could help diversify India’s energy supplies.

“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 India’s energy supply,” US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.

The energy issue has become significant amid concerns linked to the Iran conflict and ongoing efforts by Washington to reduce India’s dependence on Russian oil imports.

The Prime Minister’s Office said Rubio briefed Modi on progress in bilateral cooperation across sectors including defence, strategic technologies, trade and investment, energy security, connectivity, education and people-to-people ties.

The Indian side said Modi reiterated India’s support for peace efforts and called for conflicts to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

“PM Modi reaffirmed India’s consistent support for peace efforts and reiterated the call for peaceful resolution of the conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy,” the Indian readout said.

Rubio later described India as an “incredibly important partner” and said the relationship between Modi and Trump remained central to bilateral ties.

“The connection between the leaders is incredibly important. These are two very serious leaders who are focussed not just on the short-term, but on the long-term. I think that that is important to note, because it’s a key part of the foundation, the relationship between our countries,” Rubio said at an event at the US embassy in Delhi.

He also called India the “cornerstone” of the US approach towards the Indo-Pacific region.

“India is at the cornerstone of how the United States approaches the Indo-Pacific, and not just through the Quad, but bilaterally,” Rubio told reporters after meeting Modi.

Rubio underlined Washington’s commitment to expanding cooperation through the Quad grouping involving India, the US, Japan and Australia.

Pigott said Rubio appreciated India hosting the upcoming Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and looked forward to advancing a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.

The Secretary of State’s visit is being seen as part of a broader effort to rebuild momentum in ties that came under pressure after the Trump administration imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods last year.

Relations were further affected after Trump repeatedly claimed that he had played a role in de-escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan last May. India maintained that the cessation of hostilities resulted from direct talks between New Delhi and Islamabad and not due to US involvement.

Despite the tensions, both countries have since intensified efforts to repair the relationship and move ahead with a trade agreement.

The two sides had earlier reached what officials described as a “framework for an interim agreement” aimed at reducing tariffs on Indian exports. However, negotiations slowed after the US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s tariffs in late February.

The duty rate on Indian goods subsequently fell to 10 per cent, though Washington is continuing investigations under unfair trade practices legislation that could restore higher levies.

Rubio’s visit comes more than five weeks after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri travelled to Washington DC for talks aimed at stabilising bilateral ties.

The Secretary of State also inaugurated the Support Annex Building in Delhi, which the US Mission said would strengthen consular services.

“We recognise that an orderly and secure consular system is vital to solidify this important relationship. That’s why we’re introducing a new America first visa scheduling tool that prioritises business professionals who strengthen these ties,” Rubio said.

US Ambassador Sergio Gor, who accompanied Rubio during the meeting with Modi, described the discussions 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.

Rubio arrived in Kolkata earlier on Saturday and visited the Mother House, headquarters of Saint Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, before travelling to Delhi.

He is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday. Rubio will also travel to Agra and Jaipur before returning to Delhi on Tuesday for the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting.

The visit comes months after Trump and Modi held a nearly 40-minute phone conversation on April 14.

Following the call, Modi said both leaders reviewed “substantial progress” in bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership in “all areas”.