External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, in his opening remarks during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at New Delhi’s Hyderabad House, said that he is looking forward and is confident of holding “open and productive discussions”.

In his remarks, Mr. Jaishankar said, “We have a comprehensive global strategic partnership, which I think in plain language means that we have a very deep, very broad-based cooperation. And a relationship that impacts and influences other regions and the world.”

“And that is because we have converging interests on many issues and in many parts of the world. So I look forward to our conversation today. These are complicated times, but as strong partners, I’m very confident we’ll have very open and productive discussions. Once again, a very warm welcome,” he added.

Both leaders will then hold a delegation-level meeting at the Hyderabad House, with discussions focusing on strengthening cooperation in trade, energy, technology, etc.

Not about restoring, but building on already strong partnership: Rubio

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday (May 24, 2026) that India and the United States, as the two largest democracies, lay the foundation for “incredible cooperation”, while emphasising that his visit is not focused on “restoring” ties, but rather on enhancing what he described as a “very solid and strong strategic partnership.”

He called the U..S’ partnership with India “one of the most important in the world”.

Mr. Rubio made these statements in his opening remarks during his meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar at New Delhi’s Hyderabad House.

“It has already been a fantastic first day. We’re looking forward to our visits and our talks today and learning more about the country,” Mr. Rubio said in his remarks.

Reiterating Mr. Jaishankar’s remarks that the United States and India are “strategic allies of critical importance”, the U.S. State Secretary said, “We obviously work with countries all over the world and all over the region on a variety of issues as they emerge, but our strategic partnership is what sets this relationship apart, because it’s not simply limited to a region. It extends to opportunities to cooperate globally in different regions of the world, and that includes potentially in the Western Hemisphere and places like that.”

Mr. Rubio said that India and the U.S. share many common interests and will continue to build upon the “solid and strong” ties.

“We are the two largest democracies in the world, and that alone is the baseline for incredible cooperation. But we have so many common interests that it makes all the sense in the world for us to continue to build upon,” he said.

“This is not about restoring or reinvigorating. I’ve seen people use that terminology. This is about continuing to build on what is already a very solid and strong strategic partnership — one of the most important ones that we have, and one of the most important ones in the world,” he added.

Earlier on Saturday (May 23, 2026), Mr. Rubio called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also extended an invitation on behalf of U.S. President Donald Trump to visit the White House in the near future.

He briefed Mr. Modi on the “sustained progress” in bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including defence, strategic technologies, trade and investment, energy security, connectivity, education and people-to-people ties, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stated on Saturday (May 23, 2026).

In a post on X, U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, stated that, during the meeting, both sides had a “productive discussion” on ways to deepen US-India cooperation across various sectors.

He also mentioned that India remains a “vital partner” to the United States.

“Great to join Secretary Rubio for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 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!” Mr. Gor posted on X.

“News! Secretary Marco Rubio extended an invitation on behalf of President Donald Trump for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House in the near future!” he added in another post.

Published – May 24, 2026 12:28 pm IST

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press briefing in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, on May 5, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press briefing in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, on May 5, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP