- US Says “Progress” Being Made Towards Iran Peace Deal
- Modi, Rubio Hold Wide-Ranging Talks on West Asia, Defence and Trade
- Washington Signals Bigger Role for India in Indo-Pacific Strategy
- QUAD Meeting in Delhi to Focus on Maritime Security and Regional Stability
- Trump-Modi Equation Driving New Momentum in Bilateral Relations
Agencies
New Delhi: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday said progress was being made towards a possible peace agreement with Iran even as Washington intensified diplomatic engagement with New Delhi on regional security, trade, energy and Indo-Pacific cooperation during his first official visit to India.
Speaking at an event at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Rubio said negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing confrontation with Iran were underway and reiterated that Tehran would not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
“There’s been some progress made. Even as I speak to you now, there’s some work being done. Iran can never have nuclear weapons,” Rubio said, while underlining that the Donald Trump administration preferred a diplomatic settlement over military escalation.
The remarks came amid continuing tensions in West Asia despite a fragile ceasefire following months of conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Rubio said Washington expected Tehran to hand over enriched uranium stockpiles and ensure unrestricted movement through key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.
“President Trump’s preference is always to solve problems such as these through a negotiated diplomatic solution. That’s what we are working on right now,” he said.
Rubio’s comments coincided with renewed threats from Tehran, where senior Iranian leaders warned of a stronger military response if hostilities resumed. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the country had rebuilt its military capabilities during the ceasefire period and warned Washington against launching fresh strikes.
The US Secretary of State’s remarks on Iran came during a high-profile diplomatic visit focused on expanding strategic cooperation between India and the United States across defence, trade, technology and regional security.
Earlier in the day, Rubio held over an hour-long talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, during which the two sides reviewed the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and discussed regional and global developments, including the West Asia situation.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, discussions covered defence cooperation, strategic technologies, energy security, trade and investment, connectivity, education and people-to-people ties.
Rubio briefed Modi on the US position regarding the West Asia conflict, while the Prime Minister reiterated India’s support for peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
In a post on X after the meeting, Modi said India and the United States 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,” Modi posted.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and senior officials from both sides.
Rubio later described the India-US partnership as a cornerstone of Washington’s strategic priorities and hinted at further major announcements in the coming months aimed at deepening bilateral engagement.
“We think in the months ahead, we’re going to have even more exciting and new announcements to make about the development and strengthening of the relationship between the two countries,” he said at the US Embassy Support Annex Building dedication ceremony.
The top US diplomat also highlighted the strong equation between Modi and President Donald Trump, saying the relationship between the two leaders had helped sustain momentum in bilateral ties across administrations.
“These are two very serious leaders who are focused not just on the short term but on the long term,” Rubio said.
Diplomatic sources said Rubio also conveyed an invitation from Trump for Modi to visit the White House.
Rubio arrived in Kolkata earlier on Saturday before travelling to New Delhi. During his brief stop in the eastern metropolis, he visited the Missionaries of Charity headquarters and paid tribute to Mother Teresa.
His four-day visit to India comes ahead of the QUAD foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled in New Delhi on May 26. The meeting will bring together India, the United States, Japan and Australia for discussions on Indo-Pacific security, maritime cooperation, resilient supply chains and emerging technologies.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the talks would build on previous QUAD discussions held in Washington and focus on strengthening cooperation for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.
Rubio is also scheduled to hold formal talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday. Officials said trade tensions, defence partnerships, advanced technologies, energy cooperation and investment flows would dominate the agenda.
Ahead of his India visit, Rubio had said Washington was ready to supply “as much energy” as India was willing to purchase, signalling America’s intent to expand oil and gas exports to India amid volatility in global energy markets caused by the West Asia conflict.
The US Secretary of State’s visit is also being seen as part of broader efforts by Washington to reinforce strategic convergence with New Delhi amid shifting geopolitical equations in Asia and increasing Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. Rubio will also travel to Agra and Jaipur before concluding his India visit on May 26.
