Rubio hails New Delhi as 'powerful, influential', says India-US ties will help shape 21st century

Rubio arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday and is scheduled to travel to Gujarat to visit Reliance's Jamnagar refinery on Wednesday.

Prefer HTon Google

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday hailed India as a ‘powerful, influential’ nation, and said that India-US ties will define 21st century.

Speaking at the ‘Freedom 250 Reception’ in Mumbai, Rubio said, “It is a great honour to be back here today. At the press conference today, somebody asked a question, why are you back in India after just four months? And I said, well, number one, it happens to be the most populous nation on Earth. It happens to be the oldest democracy on Earth. It happens to be such a strong geopolitical partner.”

“If you think about the story and the history of the 21st century, it's being written in this region. And it's being written right now. One day someone will write a book about the history of the 21st century. And there will be a chapter in there about other regions in the world. But the 21st century will be defined for better and for worse by what happens in this region. We know that,” he added.

Rubio is on a three-day visit to India from October 20 to 22. He arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday and is scheduled to travel to Gujarat to visit Reliance's Jamnagar refinery on Wednesday.

• 

  Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More