Rubio rebukes reporter in tense New Delhi press exchange over 'racist remarks' question

Marco Rubio used a joint press appearance in New Delhi on May 24 to push back on a reporter’s question about racist comments by Americans targeting Indians, saying he would take such concerns seriously but adding that “every country in the world has stupid people.” Rubio made the remarks alongside Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House after bilateral talks, according to the U.S. State Department transcript. Rubio said he did not dispute that offensive comments had been made online and elsewhere, but he said they did not define the United States. “The United States is a very welcoming country,” he said, adding that immigrants had enriched the country and contributed to its economy. News18 and other Indian outlets reported that the exchange became a focal point of the press conference because the question touched a sensitive issue in ties between the two countries. (state.gov) ### What exactly did Rubio say in New Delhi? The May 24 exchange came when Rubio was asked about what the questioner described as rising racist remarks from the United States against Indians. Rubio replied: “I’ll take that very seriously,” before adding that people in every country make “dumb comments all the time,” according to reports from News18 and the Hindustan Times. (news18.com) Rubio also said Indians had made a large contribution to the U.S. economy. News18 reported that he cited a figure of more than $20 billion and said he wanted that number to keep growing. ### Why did the question arise at this press conference? Reports in India have tied the question to a broader rise in anti-Indian rhetoric in the United States, especially online and in debates over immigration and high-skilled visas. (news18.com) A February Hindustan Times report, citing The New York Times and advocacy data, said anti-South Asian slurs in online spaces associated with targeted violence had increased and that posts on X calling to “deport Indians” had drawn large audiences. Indian concerns over mobility and immigration were also part of the same New Delhi talks. Jaishankar said he had raised “the challenges that legitimate travellers face in respect of visa issuance,” while urging that legal mobility should not be hurt as Washington changes immigration rules. (hindustantimes.com) ### What else were Rubio and Jaishankar discussing? Jaishankar said the two sides were in the middle of bilateral talks and would return to discussions over lunch after the press conference. He said the agenda included West Asia, the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific, and noted that the Quad meeting was scheduled for May 26. (hindustantimes.com) The State Department transcript shows Jaishankar describing the U.S.-India relationship as a “strategic partnership” built on converging national interests. He also said the two countries had recently renewed a 10-year major defense partnership framework agreement. (state.gov) ### Did Rubio address visa and immigration policy directly? Rubio said U.S. immigration changes were not aimed specifically at India, even if they could have a disproportionate effect because India supplies many highly skilled workers. Hindustan Times reported that he described the overhaul as part of a broader effort to modernize a system strained by illegal migration, and said there would be “some bumps” during the transition. (state.gov) Indian nationals account for 71% of approved H-1B visa applications, Hindustan Times reported, making any shift in U.S. visa processing especially important to Indian workers and companies. ### What comes next after the New Delhi exchange? Jaishankar said on May 24 that he and Rubio would meet again at the Quad gathering on May 26. (hindustantimes.com) The State Department’s published transcript places that next step after the New Delhi talks and the joint press appearance at Hyderabad House. (state.gov)