'India-US Ties Cornerstone Of Our Indo-Pacific Approach': US Secretary Of State Marco Rubio

Added: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]I've only been on the job for a year and a half, Sergio. So, I still have plenty of time to mess it up. So, let's not do those proclaimments yet, but that's a very, very nice introduction. And I want to thank all of you for being here today. What all of you do. First, I do want to recognize the work that Ambassador Gore is doing, who's a friend of mine before he came here. And we knew when he would come here, he would be a dynamo and he would have energy to the mission. And I hope you've perceived that. His excitement uh for for the job is is palpable and and and you see it in the results. Second, uh I want to thank all of you to help us here in this mission. And let me begin, and I don't think our folks will be offended if I do this. I always begin by recognizing and thanking our locally employed staff. Uh if you're here, I just want you to know you are an important part of our family.

[00:00:41]We could not do our job without you.

[00:00:47]They really are. I mean, they are the institutional memory. You know, our folks, as you know, rotate every two or three years. We come and go. We go back.

[00:00:54]We go back to DC. They go to other places. as they move on to other assignments. But every time a new officer comes in, every time someone new comes in, it is that institutional memory of the locally employed staff that allows us to aver avoid the early pitfalls, learn from the past, and hit the ground running. And so we're grateful to all of you for what you do.

[00:01:12]I I want to comment about two things.

[00:01:14]First, about this building. I'm glad to be here. I believe in my I not not do I believe, I know that in my year and a half as Secretary of State, it's the first new building that I get a chance to cut the ribbon on or inaugurate. So, and obviously this facility because of all the upgrades it provides us, it makes it easier for do for you to do the job. But I I think as Ambassador Gore outlined a moment ago, the building stands as more than just brick and mortar. It's more than just the structure. It is, I hope, a sign of our commitment to this important relationship between the United States and India. It is this relationship between our two countries is at the cornerstone of our approach to the endoacific. I a lot of people aren't aware of this or you know but I was sworn in as secretary of state on Tuesday or Wednesday. It was a Tuesday after the inauguration. Within the hour I was at the State Department, spoke briefly as is tradition in the lobby of that building to our staff and then went immediately upstairs to the eighth floor and my first meeting, my very first meeting officially as Secretary of State was a meeting of the Quad.