New Delhi [India], May 24 (ANI): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday emphasised the growing depth of the US-India relationship during a joint press conference with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, highlighting New Delhi as one of Washington's most important strategic partners globally.

Addressing the joint press conference, Rubio said the relationship between the two democracies goes beyond conventional diplomatic engagement and reflects deep strategic alignment on global challenges.

'A strategic partnership is something very different,' Rubio said. 'A strategic partnership is when your interests as two nations are aligned, and you work together strategically to solve those problems.'

Highlighting the broad scope of bilateral cooperation, Rubio added, 'The list of issues that we work together with India on, the breadth of scope of them, is what highlights the fact that India is an important strategic partner in the United States, one of our most important strategic partners in the world.'

Rubio also underlined shared democratic values between the two countries, stating, 'Democracies respond directly to their people, and you have to respond constantly.'

On security cooperation, the US Secretary of State stressed the strong counterterrorism partnership between Washington and New Delhi. 'On the issue of terrorism, both of our countries have suffered, both directly and indirectly, because of global terrorist networks. There was a strong counterterrorism alignment as a result of that,' Rubio said.

He also pointed to growing collaboration in technology and innovation, saying the two nations were aligned on balancing the opportunities and risks emerging from new technologies in the 21st century. 'There is a tremendous strategic alliance between our countries and agreement on that point,' he remarked.

Rubio further highlighted cooperation on ensuring secure international trade routes and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. 'Likewise, on the unimpeded flow of commerce, especially in international airspace and international waters, this is true in the Indo-Pacific, ensuring that there's a free and open Indo-Pacific, but it extends beyond the Indo-Pacific,' he said.

Meanwhile, in a post on X, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also underscored the positive momentum in bilateral ties.

'Always a pleasure connecting with our friend Dr S Jaishankar! Secretary Rubio and I had a productive meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar to advance the US-India partnership across defense, energy, trade, and emerging technologies,' Ambassador Gor said.

https://x.com/USAmbIndia/status/2058446487026077922

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held delegation-level talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, marking a key engagement in the ongoing high-level US-India diplomatic dialogue.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides. Jaishankar was accompanied by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other senior officials, while Rubio was joined by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and members of the visiting American delegation.

During the meeting, Rubio described the first day of his visit as 'fantastic' and emphasised that India and the United States are not just allies but 'strategic allies'. He said that this 'strategic partnership' is what sets the US-India relationship apart. He added that this 'extends to opportunities to cooperate globally in different regions of the world'.

'It has already been a fantastic first day. We're looking forward to our visits and our talks today and learning more about the country... As you've highlighted, the United States and India aren't just allies; we're strategic allies, and that's of critical importance. We obviously work with countries all over the world and all over the region on a variety of issues as they emerge, but our strategic partnership is what sets this relationship apart, because it's not simply limited to a region. It extends to opportunities to cooperate globally in different regions of the world, and that includes potentially in the Western Hemisphere and places like that,' he said.

He further said that there is a 'lot to work on', describing India and the US as the two 'largest democracies in the world', and he said that alone is a 'baseline' for 'incredible cooperation'. He also added that the current visit is about 'continuing to build on what is already a very solid and strong strategic partnership.'

'We have a lot to discuss and a lot to work on. We are the two largest democracies in the world, and so that alone is a baseline for incredible cooperation. We have so many common interests that it makes all the sense in the world for us to continue to build upon. This is not about restoring or reinvigorating. I've seen people use that terminology. This is about continuing to build on what is already a very solid and strong strategic partnership. One of the most important ones that we have, and one of the most important ones in the world,' Rubio added.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the US Secretary of State called on Prime Minister Modi shortly after arriving in New Delhi. (ANI)