Marco Rubio said “every country in the world has stupid people” while responding to a question on racist remarks against Indians during a joint press conference in New Delhi with S. Jaishankar. Rubio said the United States remained a welcoming country and acknowledged the Indian diaspora’s contribution to the US economy. He also clarified that recent changes affecting H-1B, J1 and F1 visas were part of a global immigration system overhaul and not targeted at India. Rubio held delegation-level talks with Jaishankar and also met Narendra Modi. (PC: HT)

US Senator Marco Rubio stated that India–US relations continue to maintain strong momentum following his meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. He emphasized that bilateral cooperation has not slowed despite global geopolitical tensions and ongoing trade and security discussions. The leaders reportedly discussed key areas including defense partnership, technology collaboration, energy security, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. Rubio highlighted that both countries share a long-term strategic vision and remain committed to strengthening ties. Jaishankar’s visit is seen as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement to deepen India–US relations further. Both sides agreed to continue high-level dialogue and cooperation across multiple sectors. (PC: AP)

Major Abhilasha Barak has been selected for the 2025 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for her outstanding work in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon. Serving with the Indian Battalion in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), she led outreach programs for women and adolescent girls while promoting gender-sensitization training among peacekeepers. Major Barak is also the Indian Army’s first woman combat helicopter pilot. She becomes the third Indian recipient of the honour after Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen, highlighting India’s strong contribution to global UN peacekeeping missions. (PC: X)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio began his four-day India visit with a stop in Kolkata, marking the first visit by a U.S. Secretary of State to the city in 14 years. Rubio met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss strengthening India-U.S. strategic ties, trade cooperation, defence, and energy security. He highlighted America’s willingness to expand energy exports to India amid global market uncertainty. Rubio’s tour also includes Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi, where he will attend the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with representatives from Japan and Australia. The visit aims to repair strained bilateral ties and reinforce Indo-Pacific cooperation. (PC: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held high-level discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New Delhi on Saturday, focusing on trade, defence, energy security, and Indo-Pacific cooperation. During the meeting, Rubio extended an invitation from US President Donald Trump for Modi to visit the White House. The visit comes amid efforts to stabilise India-US ties strained by tariff disputes, immigration concerns, and global energy tensions linked to the Iran conflict. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership and working together on regional peace, security, and critical technology cooperation. 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday during his four-day India visit. The meeting at Seva Theerth lasted for more than an hour. Rubio earlier visited Kolkata, where he toured the Mother House of Missionaries of Charity, Nirmala Sishu Bhawan and Victoria Memorial. His visit is focused on energy cooperation, trade, defence and the QUAD partnership involving India, the US, Japan and Australia. Rubio is also expected to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar amid rising tensions in West Asia and concerns over energy supplies.

Iran’s Mumbai consulate mocked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on X after he arrived in India on Saturday for a four-day official visit. Replying to Rubio’s arrival post, the consulate wrote, “Sabhyata ka crash course seekh lo,” suggesting he should learn civility and culture from India. The remark is believed to be linked to recent comments by US President Donald Trump during tensions with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio visited the Mother House in Kolkata before travelling to New Delhi. He is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on trade, defence, energy and QUAD cooperation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India on Saturday for his first official visit and is expected to hold key talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi later in the day. The meeting will focus on trade, defence cooperation, technology, energy and the QUAD partnership involving India, the US, Japan and Australia. Rubio first landed in Kolkata before travelling to Delhi. He is also scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday. US Ambassador Sergio Gor described the visit as “historic” and said it would help strengthen ties between the two countries.

India’s state-run film institutes, the Film and Television Institute of India and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, have emerged among the most successful film schools at the Cannes Film Festival in recent years. FTII student Mehar Malhotra’s Punjabi-language diploma film Parchave Masseah Rataan De (Shadows of the Moonless Nights) was selected in the La Cinef competition this year from 2,750 global entries. FTII previously won top La Cinef prizes in 2020 and 2024 through student filmmakers Ashmita Guha Neogi and Chidananda S Naik. Alumni including filmmaker Payal Kapadia have also gone on to achieve major international recognition, highlighting the growing global influence of Indian film schools. (PC: First Post)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India on Saturday for a four-day visit focused on strengthening India-US strategic ties. Rubio landed in Kolkata and visited the Missionaries of Charity headquarters before heading to New Delhi. He is scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today. Discussions are expected to cover the Quad partnership, trade, defence cooperation, energy security and critical technologies. The visit also comes as both countries work to address trade tensions linked to US tariff measures on Indian exports. (PC: HT)