The United States on Monday reaffirmed the depth and strategic importance of its relationship with India as Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended Republic Day greetings, underscoring expanding cooperation across key sectors and shared engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

“The United States and India share a historic bond,” Rubio said in a statement congratulating the people of India on the occasion of their national day. He described the partnership as longstanding, broad-based, and increasingly central to addressing regional and global challenges.

“On behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of India on your Republic Day,” Rubio said, noting that the bilateral relationship continues to deliver tangible benefits for both nations.

Highlighting the growing scope of cooperation, Rubio pointed to close collaboration in defence, energy, critical minerals, and emerging technologies as pillars of the partnership. He also emphasised the importance of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which brings together India, the United States, Japan, and Australia to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

“From our close cooperation on defence, energy, critical minerals, and emerging technologies to our multi-layered engagement through the Quad, the US-India relationship delivers real results for our two countries and for the Indo-Pacific region,” the statement said.

Rubio underscored Washington’s commitment to strengthening ties with New Delhi and building on the momentum achieved in recent years. “I look forward to working together to advance our shared objectives in the year ahead,” he added.

India celebrates Republic Day annually on January 26 to mark the adoption of its Constitution in 1950, a historic milestone that transformed the country into a sovereign democratic republic. The day is commemorated with ceremonial events in New Delhi, including a grand national parade, and celebrations across the country that highlight constitutional values, democratic traditions, and national unity.

Over the past two decades, US-India relations have expanded significantly, evolving into a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership encompassing defence cooperation, trade and investment, technology collaboration, and strong people-to-people ties. The partnership has become a cornerstone of the Indo-Pacific framework, with both countries working closely with regional partners to promote stability, economic growth, and innovation.

Recent years have seen deeper collaboration in critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductors, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and space, alongside increased defence interoperability and joint military exercises. Trade and investment ties have also grown steadily, reinforcing economic interdependence between the two democracies.

Rubio’s Republic Day message reflects Washington’s view of India as a key strategic partner and a central pillar in shaping a stable, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific order. As both nations look ahead, continued engagement and cooperation are expected to play a decisive role in addressing shared challenges and advancing common interests on the global stage.