Marco Rubio meets Narendra Modi, extends Trump’s White House invitation in major US-India push

Rubio met Modi in New Delhi after concluding a brief visit to Kolkata earlier on Saturday.

The visit and the formal extension of Trump’s invitation mark another significant step in strengthening strategic ties between India and the United States.

During their meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to deepen cooperation across key sectors including security, trade, and critical technologies.

Sharing details of the meeting on X, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said: “Great to join @SecRubio for a meeting with Prime Minister @narendramodi. We had a productive discussion on ways to deepen U.S.-India cooperation across security, trade, and critical technologies — areas that strengthen both our nations and advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. India is a vital partner to the United States.”

He further announced: “Secretary Marco Rubio extended an invitation on behalf of President Donald Trump for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House in the near future.”

Following the meeting, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to close bilateral cooperation.

“Happy to receive 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 said.

Earlier in the day, Rubio began the first leg of his India visit in Kolkata, where he paid a visit to the Mother House, the global headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa.

Rubio’s visit is being seen as a notable diplomatic milestone, as he becomes the first US Secretary of State to visit Kolkata since former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton travelled to the city in May 2012.