What Marco Rubio’s sidestepping of New Delhi says about the US’s stance on India

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India has sparked interest in the country's relationship with the US, particularly under the second Trump administration. Rubio's decision not to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his trip last week and instead focus on business leaders and oil has been seen as a snub by some. However, according to Milan Vaishnav, director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Rubio's actions were intentional and aimed at making American priorities clear.

Vaishnav believes that the US administration sees foreign policy through the lens of 'deal-making' and that Rubio's visit to Mumbai and Jamnagar was a deliberate choice to drum up business deals. The visit to Jamnagar, where Rubio met with Mukesh Ambani, the chair of Reliance, also indicates some politicking. Vaishnav suggests that the administration wants to show that it is doing everything it can to bring down petrol prices in the US, which are likely to be a major issue in the upcoming midterm elections.

The US-India relationship has been strained under the second Trump administration, particularly over tariffs and India's purchase of Russian oil. However, Rubio's return to India just five months after his first visit as secretary of state signals that the country remains useful for President Donald Trump's ambitions. Vaishnav describes Trump 2.0 as 'unbound' and marking a new era in India-US relations.

Despite the complexities of the US-India relationship, Vaishnav believes that the choice of venues for Rubio's visit was intentional. He notes that the administration sees foreign policy through the lens of 'deal-making' and that Mumbai is a prime location for business deals. The visit to Jamnagar also indicates some politicking, as the administration wants to show that it is doing everything it can to bring down petrol prices in the US.

Vaishnav also notes that the Trump administration's reversal in its stance on Pakistan has been a significant plot twist. After coming to power the second time, Trump thanked Pakistan for its help in nabbing a suspect linked to a 2021 bombing in Afghanistan that killed 13 US service members. This reversal has been seen as a significant shift in the US's approach to Pakistan.

The US-India relationship is complex and multifaceted, and it remains to be seen how it will evolve under the second Trump administration. However, one thing is clear: the relationship is a key aspect of the US's foreign policy, and it will continue to be a major focus of attention in the coming months and years.