India, US share extraordinary alignment on issues that matter: Rubio

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said there is an "extraordinary alignment" between India and the US on the core issues that matter even though there can be disagreements on some others. Speaking at the 'Freedom 250' reception in Mimbai during his two-day visit to India, Rubio cited the need to have a "free and open" Indo-Pacific where no nation can claim dominance or ownership on international shipping as among the core issues of alignment. "Of course there will be times and points of disagreement, but on the core issues that matter, 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," Rubio, who is on a second visit to the country in three months, said.
Earlier,talking to the media in Mumbai, Secretary Rubio said that India is a strong strategic partner and a key member of the Quad. He highlighted that India is the most populous country in the world and the largest democracy.  On India’s role in meeting the world’s energy demand, Rubio said India is a refining superpower which has the capability to refine heavy crude. Replying to a question on India purchasing Russian oil, Rubio highlighted that India has repeatedly expressed the desire to diversify its energy portfolio and termed it a smart thing to do. He said the US can be a source of some of India’s energy inputs.  He stressed that it is in the US’ interest to have strong allies with diverse energy portfolios.
After the meeting with Rubio, Jaishankar said on social media that they discussed ways to further advance “our ties, focusing on trade, energy, technology, defence and people-to-people ties”, and exchanged views on regional developments. Rubio said in a separate social media post that they “discussed energy security and defence cooperation while reaffirming the importance of advancing the US-India strategic partnership”.
According to a readout from the US state department spokesman, Rubio pushed the Indian side to increase purchases of American energy, technologies and military and nuclear equipment. Rubio “reiterated that increased energy trade with the United States can play a transformative role in diversifying India’s supply chains while meeting its sizable consumer demand," the readout said. Rubio commended progress in bilateral defence and civil nuclear cooperation, and “advocated for the increased purchase of US technologies and systems, which can enhance the security and prosperity of both our countries”.