'We're Very Close': Marco Rubio on India-US Trade Agreement
In an exclusive interview with India Today's Raj Chengappa, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined key pillars of the India-US partnership, covering bilateral trade, energy dynamics, visa regulations, counter-terrorism, and regional stability. Addressing negotiations on a trade pact, Rubio noted, 'We're very close, and I anticipate. I can't, I can't foresee anything that will keep us from reaching agreement.' He defended temporary US purchases of Russian diesel to stabilise global prices while encouraging India to diversify crude sources toward the Western Hemisphere and ramp up domestic refining. On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Rubio asserted that the dispute centers largely on the Donbas region and stressed that 'this war is not going to be solved militarily. This war is only going to end diplomatically.' He also clarified that recent US visa adjustments apply globally rather than targeting Indians, maintained that Washington's ties with Pakistan will not compromise anti-terror cooperation with New Delhi, and reaffirmed Quad initiatives in maritime security and resilient supply chains.