The United States is stepping up its engagement with India, with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor announcing that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is planning a second visit to India later this year after
his first official trip in May.
Speaking at the IX US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit 2026, Gor said the US has complete confidence in India as a trusted and dependable strategic partner. He also said confidence among American businesses in India has reached a historic high.
US trusts India: Gor
Addressing concerns often raised by investors, the ambassador said the US Embassy in New Delhi is working to reassure American companies about investing in India.
“Not a week goes by where an American company comes to see me and they ask me, ‘Ambassador, is it safe to invest in India? Will our IP be protected here? Or will the laws change next month? Is the tax system here safe? Or is someone gonna come and shake us down in six months?'” Gor said.
He added that it was satisfying to tell businesses that “the United States trusts India, we work with India, and we look forward to identifying those next opportunities for both of our sides.”
Focus on high-level exchanges
Gor said one of his main priorities since taking office has been to increase high-level exchanges between Washington and New Delhi. He referred to recent visits by senior US officials, including the Secretaries of Commerce and the Army.
Speaking about Rubio’s visit from May 23 to May 26, the ambassador said the US Secretary of State and his wife, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio, travelled to several Indian cities while also attending the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
“Since I’ve gone there, we’ve also focused on bringing high-level visitors. And that included everyone from the Secretary of the Army to the Secretary of Commerce. And recently, I was very proud to have my dear friend, Marco Rubio, visit India for four days,” Gor said.
He added that Rubio travelled to Kolkata, Jaipur, Agra and Delhi and had “an incredible time”.
Rubio planning another India visit
Sharing an anecdote from the recent G7 Summit in France, Gor said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Donald Trump and Rubio met during the event. According to the ambassador, Prime Minister Modi asked Rubio about his visit to Jaipur.
“The President and I were with Prime Minister Narendra Modi just last week in France at the G7, and Secretary Rubio was there. The Prime Minister came over to the Secretary, and his first question was, ‘How did you like Jaipur?'” Gor said.
He added that Rubio was impressed by India’s history, colours and heritage and had told the Prime Minister that he was already looking at returning to India before the end of the year.
India-US partnership
During a fireside discussion, Gor said the India-US relationship was built on long-term shared interests rather than short-term political developments.
“The United States and India have so much in common that that is something that will sustain us for decades to come,” he said.
He added that both countries have significant opportunities to deepen cooperation in sectors such as artificial intelligence, technology and aviation.
“No matter what it is, we have the potential to work together. And that’s something I hope to build upon and set the stage for the next few decades,” Gor said.
