US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described India as “critical” to his country and welcomed its ongoing engagement in trade, according to the State Department.

After meeting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday, Rubio reiterated that “India is a relationship of critical importance to the United States” and expressed appreciation for the Indian government’s continued engagement on issues including trade, defense, energy, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and other areas related to the bilateral partnership, the Department said in a readout of their meeting.

The two leaders agreed that the United States and India would continue working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including through the Quad, it added.

The reaffirmation of India’s value to the

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