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PM Modi, Rubio hold high-stakes talks on trade, security
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held wide-ranging discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, security and critical technologies, amid growing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia.
During the meeting, Rubio formally conveyed an invitation from US President Donald Trump for PM Modi to visit the White House, signalling Washington’s continued focus on deepening strategic ties with New Delhi.
The talks centred on advancing the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, with both sides reviewing cooperation in defence, regional stability, emerging technologies and economic engagement.
US envoy Sergio Gor, who accompanied Rubio, said the leaders discussed ways to expand collaboration in security, trade and critical technologies, while reaffirming their commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific” amid China’s increasing regional influence.
“We had a productive discussion on 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 to the United States,” Gor said in a post on X.
PM Modi also shared details of the meeting on X, stating that the two sides discussed “sustained progress” in bilateral ties as well as regional and global peace and security issues.
“India and the United States will continue to work closely for the global good,” the Prime Minister said.
Rubio’s visit comes at a sensitive time, with rising concerns over instability in West Asia and reports that the Trump administration is weighing stronger action against Iran after diplomatic efforts failed to achieve a breakthrough.
The US Secretary of State is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday, where discussions are expected to focus on energy security, trade, investment, critical technology and people-to-people ties.
The two leaders are also likely to review the economic implications of the West Asia crisis, particularly its impact on global energy markets and supply chains.
Rubio will attend the US Embassy’s Independence Day celebrations before travelling to Agra and Jaipur on Monday. He is expected to return to Delhi on Tuesday for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting involving India, the United States, Japan and Australia.
His visit comes weeks after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri travelled to Washington DC to stabilise bilateral relations following friction over US tariffs on Indian goods and remarks by Trump regarding the India-Pakistan military standoff earlier this year.
While Trump repeatedly claimed that Washington played a role in preventing escalation between India and Pakistan, New Delhi maintained that the ceasefire understanding was achieved solely through direct talks between the two neighbouring countries, without external mediation.
