The recent visit of US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to India came after a period of strained India-US relations involving tariff disputes, increased US engagement with Pakistan, uncertainty over US-China policy, and questions about the Quad’s significance. While the visit was officially focused on the Quad, a group comprising India, the US, Japan, and Australia, it also aimed at addressing underlying issues. Former Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria described Rubio’s visit as a necessary step for political reassurance from the US.
During his visit, Rubio met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss progress in various sectors like defense, technology, trade, energy security, and education. The discussions also covered regional and global issues, including the situation in West Asia. Rubio emphasized the importance of the partnership between the US and India, calling it a crucial element of US global strategy.
Bisaria highlighted concerns over the unpredictability of US policies, particularly during the period of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. He also expressed India’s unease regarding US-Pakistan relations, citing concerns over terrorism. Bisaria criticized the transactional approach of the Trump administration towards Pakistan, suggesting it lacked strategic depth and sensitivity to India’s security concerns.
