Rubio arrives in India to repair ties after Trump tariffs
Photo: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in India in an effort to strengthen ties that have been strained by President Donald Trump's tariffs and Washington's growing contacts with China and Pakistan, according to Reuters.
After arriving in Kolkata, Rubio visited the headquarters of a humanitarian organization founded by Mother Teresa. He is later expected to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
According to the US State Department, the main topics of the discussions will include trade, energy, and defense cooperation.
Washington continues to urge India to reduce its dependence on Russian oil and increase purchases of American energy resources.
"We want to sell them as much energy as they'll buy," Rubio said ahead of the visit.
This is Rubio's first official visit to India as Secretary of State. The trip will last four days and will also include stops in Agra and Jaipur.
Why this visit matters
In recent years, the United States has sought to deepen cooperation with India as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region and a counterbalance to China and Russia. However, relations have been complicated after President Donald Trump imposed high tariffs on Indian goods.
Some of the restrictions were later eased under a temporary agreement, but the two sides have still not reached a final trade deal.
One person familiar with the negotiations said the US was frustrated that India, in its view, had been stalling and appeared to believe it could secure a favorable deal without making significant concessions — a mindset that is likely to overshadow Rubio’s efforts to stabilize relations.
"I do not expect Secretary Rubio will have much impact in changing the downward trajectory," said Richard Rossow of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "The lack of a trade agreement — more than three months after the announcement of the "interim deal" — clouds other areas of engagement."
Additional concern in India has been raised by Washington’s closer engagement with Pakistan, New Delhi’s main regional rival.
US President Donald Trump previously sparked controversy after posting on Truth Social, calling India a "hellhole." The remarks drew strong reactions in New Delhi and among the Indian diaspora in the United States.
India's Foreign Ministry said Trump's comments were "unwarranted and inappropriate" and did not reflect the actual level of relations between the two countries.
