Donald Trump's message inviting Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House amid continued instability in trade relations and security matters;

New Delhi: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is in India on a four-day visit, met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rubio also conveyed a message from US President Donald Trump inviting Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House. 

This important visit comes amid continued instability in trade relations and security matters between India and the United States. Rubio arrived at Seva Teerth in New Delhi on Saturday evening to meet the Prime Minister. The leaders discussed issues such as containing China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region and global issues such as the Iran conflict. The visit is part of efforts to repair frayed ties and revive the Quad grouping. The move suggests that the US sees India as a key partner despite economic disputes. 

Observers see the visit as another important step in strengthening ties between India and the United States. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore shared details about the meeting via Twitter. 'We had productive discussions on ways to deepen India-US cooperation in the areas of security, trade, and critical technologies - areas that strengthen both countries and advance a free and open Indo-Pacific region. India is a vital partner for the United States,' Sergio Gore noted. 

Welcoming Rubio to the Indian capital, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the visit would further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries. "I warmly welcome US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to New Delhi. His visit will further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership," he wrote in an email. Rubio arrived in New Delhi on his maiden visit to India a week after visiting Beijing with President Trump. US officials said he held talks with Prime Minister Modi for over an hour. Before returning on Tuesday, Rubio will also attend a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers, which includes Australia, India, Japan and the US. The Quad is seen as a strategic alliance to counter China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean region.