US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said India-US relations are "going fantastic", expressing optimism over the two countries finalising a trade deal and announcing plans for a high-level exchange of visits in the coming months.
Speaking in Washington DC, Rubio said the relationship between the two countries remains strong and referred to the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit.
"I think it's going fantastic. I mean, it's very strong. We had a great meeting with the Prime Minister, and the President did at the G7. And we're hoping to finalise a trade deal. We're on the last inches of getting it done, and it's very positive. We look forward to re-engaging again in another Quad meeting very soon, and I look forward to returning myself before the end of the year and setting up a presidential visit in the early parts of next year," Rubio said.
IANS ExclusiveWashington DC, US: On India-US relations, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, “I think it’s going fantastic. I mean, it’s very strong. We had a great meeting with the Prime Minister, the President did at the G7. And we’re hoping to finalize a trade deal.… pic.twitter.com/72Yl9Z8fuS — IANS (@ians_india) June 27, 2026
When asked about President Trump's possible visit to India next year, Rubio said the two sides were working towards an early 2027 visit.
"We're hoping that's what we're working towards – sometime early next year to have the President come. I think it's very positive. India is such a close partner and ally of the United States, and the relationship between the Prime Minister and the President couldn't be closer, which I think is really important in diplomacy," he said.
On the sidelines of the G7 Summit held earlier in the month, Trump showered praise on PM Modi during their interaction. He called the prime minister a "good-looking guy" and a "tough negotiator", while describing their conversation as "very good".
Speaking to reporters, Trump called PM Modi a "tough negotiator" and said he would be visiting India "sometime in the future."
The meeting marked the first between the two leaders since February 2025, when PM Modi visited Washington within weeks of Trump's return to the White House.
Relations between the United States and India have since come under strain, with Washington imposing steep tariffs on Indian goods and penalising New Delhi over its purchase of Russian oil.
The ties were further impacted after three Indian sailors were killed in attacks on commercial vessels by the US Navy in the Gulf.
