Mumbai, October 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
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 was helping shape the course of the century.
Addressing the ‘Freedom 250’ reception in Mumbai to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence, Rubio stressed the importance of strengthening engagement with India, the world’s most populous country and a key 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,” Rubio said, adding that developments in the region would define the century, “for better and for worse”.
He said the relationship between India and the United States was positively influencing what the 21st century could look like.
Rubio said the two countries were closely aligned on harnessing emerging technologies, including superintelligence and quantum computing, for humanity’s benefit while minimising potential risks.
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a free and secure Indo-Pacific, where no country could claim dominance over international shipping routes.
Emphasising the connection between maritime security and global commerce, Rubio said free trade depended on open sea lanes. He described India and the US as being “100 per cent in perfect alignment” on the issue of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.
Acknowledging that no two countries could agree on every issue, the US Secretary of State said differences were inevitable. However, he described the alignment between the two countries on core national interests as extraordinary, particularly given their size and global significance.
Rubio also signalled plans for more frequent visits to India, saying he intended to return every three months. He had visited the country four months earlier.
Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Rubio in Mumbai to discuss ways to advance bilateral relations.
In a post on X following the meeting, Jaishankar said the discussions covered trade, energy, technology, defence and people-to-people ties, along with an exchange of views on regional developments.
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