New Delhi, May 24: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has identified India and the United States as like-minded nations. He stated that both countries share a strategic perspective on several critical global issues, including critical minerals, supply chains, and terrorism. Rubio declared India as one of America’s “most important strategic partners in the world.”
During a joint press conference with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, Rubio noted that both nations have suffered due to global terrorist networks. He emphasized that as democratic countries, they understand the significance of public scrutiny and accountability.
Rubio remarked, “I have to answer to the American people for every decision, and the President must explain why it is good for our country. Here in India, your leaders must do the same. They need to clarify how your partnership with America or your stance on any issue can benefit the country. This is common in almost every nation, but it is particularly evident in democracies.”
He added, “In a democracy, accountability is directly to the public. There are opposition parties, and independent media exists. India has a robust media landscape. This means more scrutiny and oversight. This aspect connects our interests, as both countries understand that every decision and collaboration must be justified to the public.”
Rubio emphasized that the strategic partnership between India and the U.S. is not limited to regional issues. Gaining access to critical minerals and supply chains is crucial for both nations in the 21st century, and over-reliance on a single source poses significant challenges.
He stated, “We share common strategic interests on various issues, whether it’s the Indo-Pacific region, the recent situation in the Strait of Hormuz, or other global events.”
Regarding terrorism, he noted that both countries have been affected by global terrorist networks, which is why counter-terrorism cooperation is strong.
Rubio also highlighted the importance of collaboration in technology, stating that new technologies come with both benefits and risks, and balancing these is one of the major challenges of the 21st century.
He described his visit to India as “fantastic” and reaffirmed India’s role as a “significant strategic partner” for the U.S.
Rubio concluded, “Strategic partnership means collaboration not just in one area, but working together based on shared interests across a broad spectrum. India is one of our most important strategic partners.”
He reiterated that the partnership between India and the U.S. is founded on shared values, as both are the world’s largest democracies, and politicians in both countries are accountable to their citizens.
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