US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extends President Trump’s invitation to PM Modi to visit White House

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets PM Modi in New Delhi on Saturday. PIC/X

Visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday called on Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi soon after his arrival in New Delhi and extended an invite on behalf of President Donald Trump for the Indian Premier to visit the White House in the near future, news agency IANS reported.

After the meeting, PM Modi said both countries would continue to work closely for the 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. India and the United States will continue to work closely for the global good," he wrote on X.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also took to X and said both sides had a "productive discussion" on ways to deepen US-India cooperation across various sectors.

He further stated that India remains a "vital partner" to the United States (US).

"Great to join Secretary Rubio for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We had a productive discussion on ways to deepen US-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!" Gor posted on X.

Rubio's visit to focus on trade, defence, Quad, and energy cooperation

"News! Secretary Marco Rubio extended an invite on behalf of President Donald Trump, for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House in the near future!", he added in another post.

Earlier in the day, Rubio arrived in Kolkata, kicking off his four-day visit to India. He was welcomed by Ambassador Gor at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.

Accompanied by his wife Jeanette, the US Secretary of State visited Mother House, the headquarters of Saint Teresa's Missionaries of Charity.

"Secretary Marco Rubio has landed in Kolkata. This is his first trip to India. Later today, we will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Trade, Technology, Defence, QUAD, and many other items to discuss and advance over the next few days!", Gor stated on X after Rubio's arrival in Kolkata.

Rubio was the first US Secretary of State to visit Kolkata since Hillary Clinton travelled to the city in May 2012. His visit comes only weeks after West Bengal witnessed a major political change with a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government assuming power in the state.

Rubio's India itinerary, scheduled from Saturday, May 23, to Tuesday, 26, and also covering Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi, is being viewed as diplomatically significant because of planned energy discussions with India and meetings involving ministers from the Quad nations.

Quad foreign ministers to meet in New Delhi

India is set to host the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on May 26. At the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Penny Wong and Toshimitsu Motegi, the foreign ministers of Australia and Japan, respectively, will also arrive in India to attend the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting along with Rubio.

Ahead of his visit to India, Rubio said Washington wants to expand energy ties with New Delhi and deepen coordination through the Quad, while describing India as a "great ally" and "great partner" amid global supply disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Rubio's visit will add further strength to the India-USA Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

(With IANS inputs)