News Delhi: In a significant boost to India-US relations, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday and formally conveyed an invitation from US President Donald Trump for Modi to visit the White House in the near future.
Rubio, currently on a four-day official visit to India, held high-level discussions with Modi focused on strengthening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership amid evolving geopolitical challenges and growing Indo-Pacific cooperation.
PM Modi Receives US Secretary Of State Marco Rubio, Reviews India-US Strategic Partnership
Regional and global peace issues were discussed, with Modi saying both countries will continue working closely “for the global good.” https://t.co/dLSyHSahAm pic.twitter.com/1w44o3LBwf
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) May 23, 2026
The meeting came shortly after Rubio concluded a brief but high-profile visit to Kolkata, making him the first US Secretary of State to visit the city since Hillary Clinton travelled there in 2012.
Strategic Talks on Security, Trade and Technology
During the talks in New Delhi, both sides explored ways to deepen cooperation across critical sectors including defence, trade, advanced technology, and regional security.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described the meeting as “productive,” emphasizing that stronger India-US cooperation would support a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Happy to receive the US Secretary of State, Mr. Marco Rubio.
We discussed sustained progress in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and issues related to regional and global peace and security.
India and the United States will continue to work closely for… pic.twitter.com/CuD0DdDXB7
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 23, 2026
He also confirmed that Rubio had personally extended Trump’s invitation to Modi on behalf of the White House.
The diplomatic outreach is being viewed as a fresh signal of Washington’s intent to further elevate strategic ties with New Delhi at a time of shifting global power equations.
Modi Reaffirms Commitment to Strategic Partnership
Following the meeting, Modi reiterated India’s commitment to closer engagement with the United States.
The Prime Minister said the discussions covered sustained progress in the bilateral strategic partnership as well as regional and global peace and security issues.
India and the United States have significantly expanded cooperation in recent years across defence manufacturing, semiconductor supply chains, emerging technologies, and Indo-Pacific security initiatives.
Great to join @SecRubio for a meeting with Prime Minister @narendramodi. We had a productive discussion on ways to deepen U.S.-India cooperation across security, trade, and critical technologies – areas that strengthen both our nations and advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.… pic.twitter.com/0bO3d7jYTa
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) May 23, 2026
Rubio Visits Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata
Earlier in the day, Rubio began his India visit in Kolkata, where he visited the Mother House — the global headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa.
The visit added symbolic significance to Rubio’s India tour, blending diplomatic engagement with cultural outreach.
Analysts believe Rubio’s visit and Trump’s invitation to Modi underline the growing importance of India in Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, particularly amid rising geopolitical competition and shifting global alliances.
