New Delhi

US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio met National security Advisor  Ajit Doval on Monday morning. Their discussions focused on defence, security and strategic technology related cooperation including the Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST) initiative which is a strategic bilateral partnership between India and the United States..

The two NSAs reiterated the high priority accorded to the bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues.

US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Mr. Marco Rubio met NSA Shri Ajit Doval today. The discussions focused on defence, security and strategic technology related cooperation including the TRUST initiative.

The two NSAs reiterated the high priority accorded to the… pic.twitter.com/7BCQAG0JRZ

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 24, 2026

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "great" friend during an event celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The event at the Bharat Mandapam here was graced by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Ambassador Sergio Gor.

The highlight of the event was a performance by A R Rahman.

"I just want to say hello to everybody. I love the Prime Minister, (Narendra) Modi is great, he is my friend and I just want to say a very good evening to everybody," Trump said in a phone conversation with Gor.

"I am a big, big fan of Prime Minister Modi," Trump said.

The US ambassador held his phone to a microphone for the audience to hear Trump's remarks.

"We've never been closer to India and India can count on me 100 per cent and our country," the US president said. "If they ever need help, they know where to call -- they call right here."

"I love India, I love Modi...
Big Big fan of PM Modi"

- Says Donald Trump 🇮🇳🇺🇸

It's during the US Ambassador Sergio Gor made phone call to him at 250th Independence Day celebration in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/0NExxeC6Hi

— Brics India (@Brics_india) May 24, 2026

Trump also claimed that the US economy was doing well.

"We're doing well, we’re setting records. We've a record economy, a record stock market," he said.

The highlight of the evening was Rahman's performance as he sang hits such as "Dil Se", "Maa Tujhe Salaam" and"Tere Bina".

In his remarks, Trump also described Rubio as the "greatest secretary of state in the history of the US" and concluded by saying: "Say hello to Prime Minister Modi and let him know I'm a big fan."

In his brief address, Rubio described India as a key partner of the US.

Jaishankar said the US declaration of independence articulated ideas that shaped the modern world such as individual liberty, rule of law, free speech and accountable governance, and their resonance in India was natural given the country's history as a pluralistic society with a consultative ethos.

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Rubio, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held delegation level talks wityh External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his ongoing visit to India is going to attend the QUAD Foreign Minister’s meet in Delhi on May 26.