US trusts India, Marco Rubio plans return visit this year: Ambassador Sergio Gor

Washington DC: United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has said that American corporate confidence in India has reached a historic high, asserting that the United States considers India a trusted and predictable strategic partner.

Speaking at the IX US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit 2026, Gor said the US Embassy in New Delhi is actively addressing concerns raised by American companies over issues such as intellectual property (IP) protection, taxation, and regulatory stability.

He said, "Not a week goes by where an American company comes to see me and they ask me, 'Ambassador, is it safe to invest in India? Will our IP be protected here? Or will the laws change next month? Is the tax system here safe? Or is someone gonna come and shake us down in six months?' And it's an incredibly gratifying thing to say that the United States trusts India, we work with India, and we look forward to identifying those next opportunities for both of our sides."

Gor said one of his key priorities since taking office has been to increase high-level engagement between Washington and New Delhi. He highlighted recent visits by senior US officials, including the Secretaries of Commerce and the Army, as part of efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation.

The ambassador also shared details of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India from May 23 to 26, during which Rubio travelled to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Kolkata.

"Since I've gone there, we've also focused on bringing high-level visitors. And that included everyone from the Secretary of the Army to the Secretary of Commerce. And recently, I was very proud to have my dear friend, Marco Rubio, visit India for four days. And not only did he visit India, but he also went across India and to multiple places. So from Kolkata to Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, he had an incredible time," Gor said.

Recalling a recent interaction at the G7 Summit in France, Gor said Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Rubio about his India visit. According to the ambassador, Rubio praised the country's history, culture, and landmarks, and expressed his intention to return before the end of the year.

Looking ahead, Gor said the India-US partnership is built on shared strategic interests that extend beyond political cycles. He added that both countries have significant opportunities to collaborate in areas such as artificial intelligence, technology, and aviation, laying the foundation for stronger ties in the years to come.

(With agency inputs)