US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday, 24 May 2025, emphasising that the United States will not allow Iran to hold the global energy market hostage and affirming that American energy products can meaningfully diversify India's energy supply. The talks, detailed in a readout by US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, also covered trade, defence, and critical technologies under the framework of the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

Energy and Iran at the Centre of Talks

The energy dimension dominated the bilateral agenda. Rubio underscored Washington's position that Iran must not be permitted to dictate global energy market conditions — a pointed reference to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global crude transits. He affirmed that US energy exports offer India a credible alternative to reduce dependence on volatile Middle Eastern supply chains.

Ahead of his India visit, Rubio had publicly described India as a 'great ally' and 'great partner', signalling Washington's intent to deepen energy ties amid ongoing supply disruptions linked to the Hormuz corridor.

Trade, Defence, and 'Mission 500'

Both sides reflected on recent bilateral achievements, including significant investments aligned with the 'Mission 500' initiative — a joint commitment by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Modi to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Rubio and Modi agreed to deepen trade and defence cooperation and to accelerate collaboration on critical and emerging technologies, according to the State Department readout.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) confirmed that Rubio briefed Modi on sustained progress in bilateral cooperation across defence, strategic technologies, trade and investment, energy security, connectivity, education, and people-to-people ties.

White House Invitation Extended to PM Modi

In a significant diplomatic signal, Rubio formally extended an invitation, on behalf of President Trump, for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House in the near future. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who accompanied Rubio for the meeting, confirmed the invitation in a post on X, calling it a marker of the depth of the bilateral relationship.

'Great to join Secretary Rubio for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We had a productive discussion on ways to deepen US-India cooperation across security, trade, and critical technologies — areas that strengthen both our nations and advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. India is a vital partner to the United States!' Gor wrote on X.

Modi's Response and India's Position

Prime Minister Modi, in his own post on X following the meeting, said both nations would continue to work closely for global good. '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 the global good,' Modi wrote.

The PMO stated that Modi reaffirmed India's consistent support for peace efforts and reiterated the call for peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy — a reference to the situation in West Asia. Modi also requested Rubio to convey his warm greetings to President Trump.

Quad Meeting and Rubio's Broader India Itinerary

Rubio's four-day India visit — spanning 23 to 26 May and covering Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi — is being viewed as diplomatically significant. He arrived in Kolkata earlier on Saturday, visiting Mother House, the global headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, accompanied by his wife Jeanette Rubio.

India is set to host the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on 26 May. At the invitation of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will also attend. Rubio expressed appreciation for India hosting the meeting and looked forward to advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific alongside Australia, India, and Japan.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that Rubio's visit will further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. With the Quad meeting days away and energy negotiations in focus, the visit marks one of the most substantive US diplomatic engagements with India in recent months.