Rubio reassures India on tariffs and visas during visit

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to reassure India that US tariffs and visa restrictions are not intended to punish the country, during his two-day official visit ending October 21. Rubio stated the India-US trade deal is "weeks, not months" away from finalization, with 99 percent of the work complete. He acknowledged tariff threats on Russian energy buyers could affect ties but stressed they are part of broader foreign policy, not aimed at harming India. On visa curbs, Rubio said measures apply globally to fix a neglected immigration system, not targeted at any nation. He noted the waiver on Russian energy tariffs was issued partly to avoid damaging the important US-India relationship.