Mumbai, October 2026 : US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said the history of the 21st century was being written in the Indo-Pacific region, asserting that the partnership between Washington and New Delhi would play a defining role in shaping the world’s future.
Addressing the ‘Freedom 250’ reception in Mumbai to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, Rubio emphasised the importance of strengthening engagement with India, the world’s most populous country and a major geopolitical partner of the United States.
“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,” Rubio said, adding that developments in the region would determine the century’s direction, “for better and for worse”.
“I truly believe the relationship between the United States and India is defining, in many ways in a positive way, what the 21st century can look like,” he said.
Rubio highlighted the convergence between India and the US on emerging technologies, including superintelligence and quantum computing. He said both countries were aligned on harnessing technological advances for the benefit of humanity while addressing the potential risks associated with them.
The US Secretary of State also underscored the strategic importance of maintaining a free and secure Indo-Pacific, arguing that international trade depended on open maritime routes and that no country should exercise dominance over international shipping lanes.
“For India and the United States in particular, it means a free and secure Indo-Pacific, one in which no nation can claim dominance or ownership of international shipping lanes. On that issue, we are 100 per cent in perfect alignment,” Rubio said.
He acknowledged that differences between countries were inevitable, regardless of the strength of their bilateral relationships. However, he described the alignment between India and the US on their fundamental national interests as exceptional, particularly given the scale and global influence of both nations.
“No two nations on earth will ever be perfectly aligned on every issue. And of course, there will be points of disagreement. But on the core issues that define the national interest of both India and the United States, the alignment between our countries is extraordinary, especially for two countries of this size,” he said.
Rubio also signalled plans for more frequent engagement with India. Having visited the country four months earlier, he indicated that he intended to return regularly.
“I’ll see you again in three months because I’m coming now every three months,” he said, signalling Washington’s intention to maintain sustained high-level engagement with New Delhi.
Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Rubio in Mumbai for discussions on strengthening bilateral relations. The talks covered key areas of cooperation, including trade, energy, technology, defence and people-to-people ties.
Rubio’s remarks highlighted the growing strategic significance of India-US relations amid rapid technological change and shifting geopolitical dynamics. His emphasis on maritime security, technological cooperation and regular diplomatic engagement underscored the shared interests that both countries seek to advance across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
