PM Modi meets Marco Rubio, reviews India-US defence and trade ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (May 23) held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with discussions spanning defence cooperation, trade, energy and broader strategic engagement between New Delhi and Washington. The meeting comes amid global energy supply uncertainty resulting from the ongoing West Asia conflict.

India-US partnership review

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting reviewed developments across the India-US partnership and covered progress in several key sectors, including strategic technologies, investment, connectivity, education and people-to-people ties.

Secretary Rubio also briefed PM Modi on the US assessment of regional and international developments, including the ongoing situation in West Asia. The Prime Minister reiterated India’s position on resolving conflicts through diplomatic channels and dialogue, the statement said.

The PMO statement further revealed that the Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s longstanding support for efforts aimed at peace and stressed the need for negotiated solutions to ongoing conflicts.

Message on diplomacy and dialogue

The Prime Minister also asked Secretary Rubio to convey his greetings to US President Donald Trump and expressed hope that discussions between the two leaders would continue in the future.

In a post on X, PM Modi said the two countries would continue working together on issues of shared interest.

"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. India and the United States will continue to work closely for the global good", he said on X.

Focus on strategic cooperation

Earlier, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described the meeting as "productive" and pointed to discussions around expanding cooperation in critical areas.

He wrote on X, "Great to join @SecRubio for a meeting with Prime Minister @narendramodi. 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 Rubio extended an invitation to PM Modi on behalf of President Donald Trump to visit the US in the near future

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, US Ambassador Sergio Gor and US Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker were among those present during the meeting.

Rubio’s India visit continues

Rubio is currently on a four-day India visit, with engagements expected to focus on trade, technology, energy security and defence cooperation. The visit comes ahead of the QUAD foreign ministers' meeting scheduled in New Delhi on May 26.