Marco Rubio Meets PM Modi in New Delhi

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on May 23 during a four-day India visit that also includes talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting. Modi said after the meeting that the two discussed progress in the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and issues related to regional and global peace and security. The Indian side said Rubio briefed Modi on the crisis in West Asia, while the U.S. side pointed to trade, energy and technology as central parts of the agenda. Rubio also invited Modi to visit the White House in the near future, according to U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor. ### What did Modi say after the meeting in New Delhi? Narendra Modi said on May 23 that India and the United States would “continue to work closely for the global good” after his talks with Rubio in New Delhi. In a post cited by Indian media, Modi said the two discussed sustained progress in the bilateral strategic partnership as well as regional and global peace and security. (thehindu.com) The Hindu reported that Rubio met Modi shortly after landing in New Delhi after beginning the day in Kolkata. The meeting was part of Rubio’s first official visit to India as secretary of state. ### What issues did Washington say were on the table? State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Rubio and Modi discussed the situation in West Asia and broader bilateral cooperation. (thehindu.com) Pigott said Rubio told Modi that the United States would not let Iran hold the global energy market hostage and said U.S. energy products could help diversify India’s energy supply. Pigott also said the two officials reflected on recent bilateral achievements, including investments tied to “Mission 500,” an initiative aimed at doubling trade by 2030. The same statement described U.S.-India ties as rooted in shared democratic values and economic opportunity. ### Why was energy such a visible part of this visit? (thehindu.com) The Hindu reported before the meeting that India and the United States were expected to discuss the West Asia crisis and its economic effects, including on energy supplies. That made energy security a central issue even before Rubio’s talks with Modi and Jaishankar began. (thehindu.com) Rubio’s itinerary and public remarks also pointed to a broader economic agenda. The issues expected to dominate his talks with Jaishankar included energy, trade, investment, critical technology and people-to-people exchanges, according to people familiar with the matter cited by The Hindu. ### How does this fit into Rubio’s wider India trip? (thehindu.com) Marco Rubio arrived in India on May 23 and began the visit in Kolkata, where he visited the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity before flying to New Delhi. Indian media described the trip as his maiden visit to India in his current role. The Ministry of External Affairs listed Rubio’s arrival in New Delhi among its official news items on May 23, confirming the visit on the Indian government’s public schedule. (thehindu.com) The trip also comes just ahead of the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, which Indian media said Rubio would attend on May 26. ### What comes next in the diplomacy? May 24 is set aside for Rubio’s bilateral talks with Jaishankar and for his attendance at the U.S. (thehindu.com) Embassy’s Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi, according to The Hindu. Those talks are expected to cover trade, energy, investment and critical technology. (mea.gov.in) May 26 is the next formal milestone on the schedule: Rubio is due back in New Delhi for the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting after stops in Agra and Jaipur on May 25. The participants are expected to include India, the United States, Japan and Australia, with Jaishankar hosting in New Delhi. (thehindu.com)