US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said there is an extraordinary alignment between India and the US on the core issues that matter. Speaking at the ‘Freedom 250’ reception in Mumbai, Mr Rubio said there will be times and 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.

 

He said India is a “powerful, influential and advanced” country and a “strong geopolitical partner” for the US. Mr Rubio said both countries have a lot in common, including shared values of upholding the dignity of the individual, democratic principles and the rule of law. He cited the need to have a “free and open” Indo-Pacific where no nation can claim dominance or ownership of international shipping as among the core issues of alignment. 

 

Earlier in the day, Mr Rubio said India and the US are “very, very close” to signing a bilateral trade deal, with only a few points to be ironed out. Mr Rubio, who landed in the financial capital yesterday afternoon, is scheduled to visit Reliance Industries’ petrochemicals refinery at Gujarat’s Jamnagar today.