Rubio greets India on Independence Day, says US ties stronger than ever

Marco Rubio greeted India on its 80th Independence Day and praised expanding bilateral engagement. His message underscored Washington's focus on strategic cooperation and diaspora links.

In Short

• Rubio said people-to-people bonds underpin an innovative and resilient partnership
• He highlighted cooperation in defence, energy, critical minerals, AI and space
• Rubio said collaboration benefits both nations and the wider Indian Ocean

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday greeted the people of India on the country’s 80th Independence Day and said the bilateral relationship was stronger than ever. He said the ties had continued to grow because of the personal relationship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rubio said the friendship and family links between the people of the two countries formed the base of a partnership that was innovative, resilient and forward-looking. He also highlighted cooperation across key sectors, while several states in the US and a number of American lawmakers marked the occasion with greetings and proclamations.

In a statement, Rubio said, "On behalf of the United States of America, I extend warm congratulations to the people of India on their Independence Day." He added, "Thanks to the personal relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, the US-India relationship continues to grow and is stronger than ever."

Rubio said US-India collaboration was making both countries, and the wider Indian Ocean region, safer, stronger and more prosperous. He referred to cooperation in defence, energy security, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, space cooperation and commerce. "The deep ties of friendship and family between our two peoples form the foundation of a partnership that is innovative, resilient, and forward-looking. The United States looks forward to the future our two countries will build together," he said.

Several states across the US have issued special proclamations to commemorate August 15, 2026, as ‘India Day’ to mark India’s independence, underlining the growing contribution of the Indian diaspora to American life. A number of senators, Congress members, lawmakers and city councils have also extended greetings on India’s Independence Day, rounding off a message from the US that focused on strong bilateral ties and growing people-to-people links.

With PTI Inputs

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