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US top diplomat Marco Rubio in India to renew strained ties

May 24, 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a four-day trip following a rocky year for relations between the US and India. How much can India still consider the US a friend?

https://p.dw.com/p/5EFvI

The once‑touted ModiTrump rapport is under strain as US pressure on trade, Russian oil and Middle East tensions tests India‑US ties.

Trump's claims of mediating an India‑Pakistan ceasefire last year irked New Delhi, while closer US engagement with Pakistan has added to the friction.

Analysts say the partnership, built over decades, remains resilient but is entering a period of recalibration. India is pursuing strategic balance, diversifying partnerships while managing an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.