Rubio Calls India ‘Critical’ to US as H-1B Visas Add to Tensions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Monday with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, stressing that ties between the two countries remain “of critical importance” despite fresh strains including a move to curb skilled-worker visas that will hit Indian nationals hardest.

Rubio thanked the Indian government for its continued engagement on trade, defense, energy, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals, according to a US readout of the meeting, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Both sides agreed to keep working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, including through the Quad security ...