'There's a lot to work on with India': Marco Rubio makes major statement after meeting PM Modi

New Delhi: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in India in a bid to strengthen ties between the two countries. Speaking in Delhi on Saturday, Marco Rubio emphasized that the partnership between the two nations is deepening further. Rubio made these remarks during the inauguration ceremony of the Support Annex building at the US Embassy. He noted that the personal rapport between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump is excellent.

What did Marco Rubio say?

In his speech, Rubio stated, "This is a personal relationship that dates back to President Trump's first term in office, when he visited India. This relationship continues even now, during his second term. You can clearly see the connection between the two leaders. Both are serious leaders who work with a focus not merely on the short term, but with a long-term perspective."

Prior to this ceremony, Rubio had met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting lasted for over an hour. During the meeting, Rubio extended an official invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House, on behalf of President Trump.

Following the meeting, PM Modi shared details regarding it on social media. He wrote that he and Rubio held detailed discussions on critical issues concerning regional and global security. Emphasizing the need to further strengthen India-U.S. relations, Rubio remarked, "Our relationship with India is of great importance to us. It serves as the bedrock of our strategic objectives. That is precisely why I am here—to reaffirm and further advance these ties. In the coming months, we intend to make several new and exciting announcements aimed at further bolstering the relationship between our two nations."

"There's a lot to work on with India; they're a great ally and partner. We do a lot of good work with them, so this is an important trip," he added.

When Did Marco Rubio Arrive in Kolkata?

It is worth noting that Marco Rubio arrived in Kolkata on Saturday morning. This marks his first official visit to India since assuming his current office. He is scheduled to stay in India for four days. This visit is being viewed as a significant step toward further cementing the growing friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries.