Marco Rubio in India Highlights: Jaishankar addresses US Embassy National Day reception

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday (May 24, 2026) emphasized that India is one of the few countries in the world with strong relations and real interests in the Persian Gulf and that it wants peace and stability in the region.

At a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jaishankar said: “India is one of the few countries today that has very strong relations with the United States, Israel, Iran and the Gulf countries. We have real interests there. The challenge for us is how to maintain all these relations, protect our shares and advance our interests.”

“We don’t see it as a zero-sum game. Still, there are broad principles: we want peace and stability in the region, the well-being of our diaspora is essential, and as a major energy importer, keeping prices low is vital for global growth.”

– FLIGHT