US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday highlighted progress in advancing economic and strategic cooperation with India as he concluded his visit, stressing that closer economic ties and energy security cooperation would benefit both countries.
In a post on X, Rubio said his engagements in India had advanced the economic and strategic priorities shared by New Delhi and Washington. He added that continued efforts to strengthen their economic partnership and cooperation on energy security would make both nations stronger.
Just departed India having advanced our economic and strategic priorities in the region.
Continuing to build our economic partnership and energy security cooperation makes both our nations stronger. https://t.co/SaZK1QbpsO
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) October 22, 2026
Rubio concluded his visit on October 21 after engagements in Mumbai, where he held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the bilateral strategic partnership and the progress of negotiations on a proposed trade agreement.
The discussions came as India and the United States seek to expand trade ties and deepen cooperation in key sectors, including energy, amid ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade deal.
During his Mumbai visit, Rubio also paid floral tributes to the victims of the November 2008 terror attacks, which killed six American citizens among the victims.
Energy security remained a key area of focus, with bilateral discussions covering energy trade, India’s imports of Russian petroleum and opportunities to increase purchases of US energy resources.
The visit also brought attention to a potential investment by Reliance Industries in a petroleum processing facility in the United States. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor had previously highlighted the proposed project in the context of boosting domestic energy production and creating jobs.
Rubio’s visit forms part of broader efforts by the two countries to strengthen strategic and economic engagement.
