US Secretary Rubio described the relationship between India and the United States as the ”cornerstone” of America’s approach to the Indo-Pacific region, announcing that the US is introducing a new ”America First” visa schedule aimed at prioritising business professionals.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday described India as central to America’s Indo-Pacific strategy while announcing a new “America First” visa schedule aimed at prioritising business professionals and strengthening economic engagement between the two countries.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new US Embassy Support Annex Building in New Delhi during his official India visit, Rubio said the India-US relationship had become one of Washington’s most important global partnerships.
“It is at the cornerstone of this important partnership between us and India, which, as I said, is an incredibly important one,” Rubio said, adding that the US expected “even more exciting and new announcements” on bilateral cooperation in the coming months.
The new visa schedule, Rubio said, would prioritise professionals and business leaders who contribute to expanding India-US commercial ties.
“We’re introducing a new America First visa schedule that prioritises business professionals who strengthen these ties,” he announced.
Emphasising the personal chemistry between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, Rubio noted that their bond spans both terms of the Trump administration.
#WATCH | Delhi: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, “It is a personal relationship (between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump) which dates back to the first administration when the President had a chance to visit here and it has carried over into the second… pic.twitter.com/oQ4VMWdwli
— ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2026
Rubio also inaugurated a new consular wing at the US Embassy in New Delhi, saying the facility would strengthen infrastructure for more rigorous visa vetting, processing and screening procedures aimed at protecting American borders.
Emphasising that “every visa decision is a national security decision,” Rubio said the upgraded facility would support embassy personnel working to advance US interests and President Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign policy.
”It is a personal relationship which dates back to the first administration when the President had a chance to visit here, and it has carried over into the second administration. You can just see the connection between them. The connection between leaders is incredibly important. These are two very serious leaders who are focused not just on the short term but on the long term,” the Secretary of State added.
Rubio further revealed that his very first official engagement after taking office as Secretary of State was a meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), underscoring the importance of holding it in India.
”My very first meeting officially as Secretary of State was a meeting of the Quad. We are going to renew that. We wanted to do it here, not just because of our commitment to that structure of work, but also as a tangible sign of what an important role India plays in the United States and in our posture and in our approach to the Indo-Pacific,” he stated.
Detailing the economic and security aspects of the partnership, Rubio said that commercial ties have expanded, with more than USD 20 billion in investments from Indian companies into the United States, alongside a deepened security partnership through military exercises in the Indo-Pacific.
Introducing the new visa priorities at the embassy annex, Rubio said, ”We’re introducing a new America First visa schedule that prioritises business professionals who strengthen these ties.”
He added that the new facility will save American taxpayers money by driving efficiency, speed, and accuracy for the mission’s personnel.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor echoed these sentiments following a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Modi.
Gor stated that Indian investments in the US are a massive vote of confidence in the American economy.
”We are here because we believe that a strong America and a strong India are essential to the world. When I saw Indian companies committing USD 20.5 billion to the US economy, I was simply blown away. I saw confidence in American workers, confidence in the American economy and confidence in the enduring promise of the American dream,” Gor said.
Gor added that the new building, which houses consular operations alongside other embassy offices, will serve as a gateway to America for innovators as both nations look to reach a target of USD 500 billion in bilateral trade.
”The Secretary and I just left a meeting with Prime Minister Modi, and I can attest that the relationship is on solid footing. There is incredible potential ahead,” Gor said.
With inputs from agencies
First Published:
May 23, 2026, 19:21 IST
End of Article
