India–US Relations Stronger Than Ever, Says Marco Rubio
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extends Independence Day greetings to India and highlights expanding cooperation across defence, energy, AI, space and trade.
WASHINGTON, August 15, 2026: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended greetings to India on its 80th Independence Day, saying the relationship between India and the United States is stronger than ever.
Rubio attributed the strength of the bilateral relationship in part to the close personal ties between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
WHAT RUBIO SAID
Rubio said cooperation between India and the United States is expanding across several strategically important areas, including:
Defence
Energy security
Critical minerals
Artificial intelligence
Space
Trade
He said the partnership between the two countries is continuing to broaden beyond traditional areas of cooperation.
INDO-PACIFIC AND INDIAN OCEAN REGION
Rubio said Washington attaches high importance to cooperation with New Delhi in the Indian Ocean region.
He emphasised that the partnership is not limited to the interests of the two governments and extends more broadly to cooperation between their people and societies.
PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES
Rubio described the friendship between the people of India and the United States as a foundation of the bilateral partnership.
He said these people-to-people connections have helped strengthen relations between the two countries.
US LOOKS AHEAD TO FURTHER COOPERATION
Rubio said the United States looks forward to continuing to work with India in the future.
The statement comes as the two countries continue cooperation in strategic sectors including defence, technology, energy and space.
OTHER COUNTRIES SEND GREETINGS
India's Independence Day also prompted messages from other countries.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog congratulated India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed hope that the friendship between India and Israel would become even stronger.
Singapore also conveyed its greetings, highlighting its strategic and economic relationship with India. Singapore expressed support for deeper cooperation in areas including digital connectivity, green energy and defence.
KEY POINTS
Marco Rubio congratulated India on its 80th Independence Day.
He described India-US relations as stronger than ever.
Defence, energy security, critical minerals, AI, space and trade are key areas of cooperation.
Washington places importance on cooperation with India in the Indian Ocean region.
Rubio highlighted strong people-to-people ties between India and the US.
Israel and Singapore also conveyed Independence Day greetings to India.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
India and the United States are expected to continue expanding cooperation in strategic sectors, particularly defence, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy, space and trade, while strengthening their partnership in the Indian Ocean region.