Rubio is in India to try to revitalize relations between the U.S. and New Delhi
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in India on a visit aimed at stabilizing relations between the two countries, which have recently cooled due to trade tariffs and a shift in Washington’s geopolitical priorities. Talks on trade, energy, and defense are expected in New Delhi, where the parties are trying to find a new balance of interests, according to Reuters.
Rubio arrived in India at a time when tensions have been mounting between Washington and New Delhi, as the Trump administration’s decision to impose tariffs on Indian goods and its simultaneous strengthening of ties with China and Pakistan have significantly impacted trust between the partners.
Upon arriving in Kolkata, the U.S. Secretary of State visited a humanitarian organization founded by Mother Teresa and is scheduled to travel to New Delhi, where a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planned, and it is there that the parties will attempt to discuss key points of tension. According to the U.S. State Department, the talks will focus on trade, energy, and defense cooperation, with Washington separately pushing the idea of reducing India’s dependence on Russian oil and increasing purchases of American energy resources.
On the eve of the visit, Rubio stated bluntly: “We want to sell them as much energy as they will buy,” emphasizing the U.S. economic interest in the Indian market.
This visit marks Rubio’s first as Secretary of State and will last several days, including trips to Agra and Jaipur, underscoring Washington’s attempt to engage in a broader diplomatic dialogue with India.
At the same time, the situation is complicated by the fact that the U.S. and India have still not been able to conclude a full-fledged trade agreement, and the high tariffs imposed earlier remain a source of tension, even despite partial temporary agreements. Analysts note that India expected more favorable terms and was in no hurry to make concessions, which Washington perceives as stalling the process, and this, according to experts, could affect the effectiveness of the current negotiations.
An additional source of irritation for New Delhi has been the U.S.’s closer ties with Pakistan, which remains India’s main regional rival, further complicating the diplomatic balance between the parties.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, during which they discussed preparations for the July summit of Alliance leaders in Turkey.
At the NATO summit in Ankara on May 22, they plan to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump’s “disappointment” with the Alliance. This was stated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, noting that this issue will be one of the items on the meeting’s agenda.
