US State Secretary Marco Rubio has lauded India as a top-tier partner of the United States, emphasizing its central role in America's Indo-Pacific strategy. During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Thursday, Rubio underscored the significance of the U.S.-India relationship, stating that it is one of the most important relationships the U.S. has in the world today.

Rubio highlighted that the 21st century's narrative is unfolding in the Indo-Pacific region, so much so that the U.S. has renamed its combatant command to reflect this. He asserted that India is at the core of this strategy, and the U.S. is in a period of extraordinary transition in its relationship with India. He also noted the importance of the U.S. being represented in India by someone with the President's direct ear and confidence, given the important issues that require collaboration, including those related to Ukraine and the broader region.

The Senator's remarks came as he introduced Sergio Gor, President Donald Trump's nominee for the US Ambassador to India, at his confirmation hearing. Rubio has known Gor for a long time and believes he is exceptionally qualified for the position. Trump nominated Gor, who is currently the Director of Presidential Personnel, to be the next US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. If confirmed, the 38-year-old Gor will be the youngest American ambassador to India.

Gor echoed Rubio's sentiments, calling India a strategic partner whose trajectory will shape the region and beyond. He pledged to strengthen defense and economic ties with India, emphasizing India's geographic position, economic growth, and military capabilities as cornerstones of regional stability. He committed to advancing U.S. interests by increasing defense cooperation, ensuring fair trade, deepening energy security, and furthering technology. Gor also aims to prioritize deepening defense and security cooperation with India, including expanding joint military exercises, advancing co-development and co-production of defense systems, and concluding critical defense sales.

Furthermore, Gor acknowledged India's demographic dividend, highlighting its large population and rapidly growing middle class as offering immense opportunities for collaboration in areas like artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals.

The nomination of Sergio Gor has been welcomed by India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, who noted that President Trump is sending one of his most trusted aides to serve as the next US ambassador to India.