Marco Rubio Goes to India in Repair Mode
Council on Foreign Relations • • world
Key Points:
- In April 2025, U.S.-India relations, once warm and cooperative during early interactions between Prime Minister Modi and the Trump administration, have significantly deteriorated under the second Trump administration.
- Key issues straining the relationship include Trump taking credit for mediating an India-Pakistan ceasefire, his close ties with Pakistan's military ruler, and the imposition of punitive tariffs on Indian imports, particularly targeting India’s purchase of Russian oil.
- Indian officials and experts note a shift in U.S. policy toward India becoming more transactional and less partnership-focused, with concerns that the U.S. is deprioritizing the Quad alliance and the strategic competition with China.
- Polls indicate a majority of Indians believe relations with the U.S. have worsened under Trump, reflecting growing skepticism about American commitment to India as a democratic partner in Asia.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio faces significant challenges in repairing the bilateral relationship during his visit to India, with a broad agenda covering defense, economics, and technology amidst a currently uncertain and fragile partnership.