Secretary of State Marco Rubio renewed diplomatic engagement with India on Saturday, emphasizing the close ties between the United States and India despite recent shifts in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump. Rubio’s visit to New Delhi followed his trip to Beijing alongside Trump, marking his first official engagement with both countries in Asia.

In New Delhi, Rubio met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for over an hour, extending an invitation for the Indian leader to visit Washington in the near future. “The world’s oldest democracy in the US and the world’s largest democracy here in India are natural partners now and in the future,” Rubio said during a gala dinner attended by business and political leaders at the U.S. ambassador’s residence. Earlier in the day, Rubio participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new U.S. embassy building and characterized the U.S.-India relationship as a “cornerstone” of American strategy in the Indo-Pacific region.

Rubio’s remarks appear aimed at restoring a traditionally warm tone in bilateral relations, which experienced some strain during the Trump administration. Last year, Trump imposed tariffs on Indian imports that were only partially eased, and India received limited mention in the U.S. national security strategy. The Trump administration’s approach also included contentious elements such as a crackdown on visa programs widely used by Indian technology professionals, as well as stricter rules requiring U.S. residency applicants to leave the country to process their applications, a move Rubio defended as part of a broader effort to address a global migratory crisis while acknowledging the resulting inconveniences.

Rubio’s visit comes ahead of his participation in a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers—comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States—scheduled before his departure from New Delhi on Tuesday. The Quad grouping has long been viewed with suspicion by China, which sees it as an attempt to contain its regional influence.

The broader geopolitical context includes heightened tensions in South Asia, where Pakistan has reasserted itself diplomatically amid the ongoing conflict in Iran, positioning itself as a potential mediator. Pakistan’s powerful army chief recently visited Tehran, further signaling Islamabad’s engagement in regional affairs. Historically, the United States maintained close ties with Pakistan during the Cold War but gradually shifted its focus toward India due to concerns over Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan.

These developments present a complex diplomatic landscape, where the U.S. seeks to balance its partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region amidst evolving dynamics with both China and India. Rubio’s visit and outreach to Modi signal an effort to reaffirm U.S. commitment to the longstanding relationship despite recent disruptions.