Rubio Visit to India Highlights Importance of Quad Partnership, U.S. Embassy Says
NEW DELHI — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s upcoming visit to India underscores the importance of the Quad partnership, the U.S. Embassy in India said Friday, ahead of a planned meeting of the grouping’s foreign ministers in New Delhi.
The embassy shared photos of Quad foreign ministers on X and said the partnership remains focused on a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“Standing together for a free and open Indo-Pacific. From supporting regional security to diversifying critical minerals supply chains, Secretary Marco Rubio’s upcoming visit to India emphasizes the importance of the Quad partnership,” the embassy said.
India is scheduled to host the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on May 26. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has invited Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to attend the meeting.
The Quad brings together India, Australia, Japan and the United States. The four countries have said they are committed to supporting an open, free and inclusive Indo-Pacific that is prosperous and resilient.
Ahead of the visit, Rubio said the United States wants to expand energy ties with India and deepen coordination through the Quad. Speaking to reporters in Miami before leaving for India, with a stopover in Europe, he described India as a “great ally” and “great partner.”
Rubio said Washington is prepared to increase energy exports to India as concerns grow over disruptions to global oil and gas supplies linked to tensions in West Asia and the Strait of Hormuz.
“We wanna sell them as much energy as they’ll buy,” Rubio said when asked about India being affected by the energy supply situation and the shutting of the Strait of Hormuz. “Obviously, you’ve seen, I think we’re at historic levels of US production and US export. We wanna be able to do more.”
Rubio said talks with India on energy cooperation were already underway and would continue during his visit.
“We were already in talks with them to do more. We want next week as well. So there are opportunities,” he said.
The secretary of state said India has become an increasingly important strategic partner for the United States.
“There’s a lot to work on with India. They’re a great ally, a great partner. We do a lot of good work with them,” Rubio said. “It is an important trip. I’m glad we’re able to do it because I think there’ll be a lot for us to talk about.”
Rubio also emphasized the importance of the Quad, saying, “We’ll also meet with the Quad there, which is important.”
He said his first official meeting after taking office as secretary of state was with Quad partners.
“I believe as I went, I got sworn in, I did the thing in the lobby, and then I went right upstairs, and that was my first meeting,” Rubio said. “And I’m glad we were able to do it now in India. And we’re gonna do one later in the year as well.” (Source: IANS)
