New Delhi — Visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the United States will not allow Iran to hold the global energy market “hostage” and that American energy supplies can help diversify India’s energy mix. The comments came during a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Saturday.
According to a State Department account, Rubio and Modi discussed developments in the Middle East and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rubio emphasised US determination to prevent disruptions to the global energy market and highlighted the potential for US energy products to broaden India’s supply options. Pigott also noted the two leaders reflected on recent bilateral achievements, including investments supporting the Mission 500 goal of doubling trade by 2030.
Rubio underlined the strategic importance of the US-India relationship, saying it rests on shared democratic values, large economic opportunity, and a strong personal rapport between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Modi. On behalf of President Trump, Rubio extended a formal invitation for Modi to visit the White House.
After the meeting, Rubio posted on X that he had spoken with Modi about the situation in the Middle East, energy cooperation, securing critical supply chains, and collaboration on emerging technologies, and confirmed he had invited the prime minister to the White House.
Prime Minister Modi said both democracies would continue close cooperation for global welfare, noting sustained progress in the India–US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and discussions on regional and global peace and security. The Prime Minister’s Office said Rubio briefed Modi on growing bilateral cooperation across defence, strategic technologies, trade and investment, energy security, connectivity, education, and people-to-people ties. Modi reaffirmed India’s support for peace efforts and called for resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.
Rubio and Modi agreed to deepen trade and defence ties and to accelerate collaboration on critical and emerging technologies. Rubio also praised India’s role as host of the upcoming Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and expressed anticipation of advancing a free and open Indo‑Pacific alongside Australia, India, and Japan.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who attended the meeting, described the talks as productive and said they focused on ways to deepen cooperation across security, trade, and critical technologies. He reiterated that India is a vital US partner and noted Rubio’s invitation for Modi to visit the White House.
Rubio arrived in India earlier in the day, beginning a four-day visit that included stops in Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi. He was received in Kolkata by Ambassador Gor and, with his wife Jeanette Rubio, visited the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity. The visit carries diplomatic weight amid energy negotiations and planned ministerial-level Quad engagements; New Delhi will host the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 26, attended by Australia’s Penny Wong and Japan’s Toshimitsu Motegi at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Prior to departure for India, Rubio said Washington wants to expand energy cooperation with New Delhi and strengthen coordination through the Quad, describing India as a “great ally” and partner as international supply chains contend with disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Rubio’s visit will give further momentum to the India–USA Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
