New Delhi: The US Embassy in India on Wednesday highlighted Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks expressing confidence that India-US relations would become one of the strongest in the world over the next five years.
In a post on X, the embassy shared an excerpt from an exclusive interview with Rubio and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor with India Today, focusing on the future of bilateral ties. “One of the strongest relationships in the world,” the embassy said, highlighting Rubio’s remarks.
“One of the strongest relationships in the world.”
@SecRubio and @USAmbIndia on the future of U.S.-India ties in an exclusive interview with @IndiaToday.
Read more: https://t.co/TP7Mstj1lP https://t.co/7B8BJzucCT
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) October 28, 2026
Asked to rate the relationship on a scale of one to 10, Rubio described it as important, citing the countries’ shared interests and long history of cooperation.
“I wouldn’t put a number, I would say it’s a very important relationship. Obviously, it’s two big, important countries. We’ve worked together for a very long time. We have a lot of common interests, and we have a history of working together,” he said.
Rubio highlighted India’s progress in areas relevant to US national security and national interests, calling the partnership logical. He said the relationship was as strong as ever and expressed confidence in its future.
“It’s a logical partnership. So, I don’t know about one to 10. I would say it is as strong as it’s ever been, and I think in five years, we’ll look back and say it’s one of the strongest relationships in the world,” he added.
Rubio concluded his India visit on October 21 following engagements in Mumbai. The visit came amid efforts to strengthen strategic ties, advance negotiations on a proposed bilateral trade agreement and expand energy cooperation.
At the Freedom 250 reception in Mumbai on October 20, Rubio acknowledged that the countries would not always agree but said their shared fundamental interests could shape geopolitics, economics, trade and commerce for decades.
He described the alignment on core national interests as extraordinary and highlighted the countries’ demographic and economic significance, saying they had an opportunity to help shape the 21st century.
Rubio also said the India-US trade deal was “incredibly close”. Speaking to Network18, he said negotiations were handled by the US trade representative and that he expected the agreement within weeks, not months.
