新德里——美国国务卿马尔科·卢比奥对印度的访问标志着华盛顿和新德里稳定紧张关系的努力，尽管最近出现了贸易紧张局势，但两国都在寻求加强战略和经济联系。
在周日与印度总理纳伦德拉·莫迪和外交部长Subrahmanyam Jaishankar的会晤中，卢比奥强调了在贸易、能源、国防和海上安全方面的合作。卢比奥表示，两国仍保持战略联盟，并对更广泛的贸易协议表示乐观。
卢比奥为期四天的访问还包括与四方安全对话成员的会谈。四方安全对话是印度-太平洋联盟，通常被称为四方。
以下是卢比奥的访问对印美关系的意义:
近几个月来，特朗普政府对印度出口商品征收高额关税后，印度和美国的关系变得紧张，部分原因是新德里继续购买俄罗斯石油。此举激怒了印度官员，并加剧了印度政府对华盛顿可靠性的担忧。
两国后来达成了一项临时贸易安排，放宽了一些关税，并扩大了印度对美国商品的购买，包括能源产品。但是关于更广泛的贸易协议的谈判仍然悬而未决。
尽管局势紧张，印度和美国继续加强防务和技术联系，华盛顿将印度视为在印度-太平洋地区制衡中国的关键力量。
在周日与Jaishankar的会谈中，卢比奥将印度描述为华盛顿最重要的战略伙伴之一，并表示他对两国将很快敲定双边贸易协议感到乐观。卢比奥还转达了美国总统唐纳德·特朗普对莫迪今年晚些时候访问华盛顿的邀请。
卢比奥的访问预计还包括周二与印度、澳大利亚和日本外长的会谈，印度、澳大利亚和日本与美国都是四方联盟的成员国。
随着中国扩大其在印度-太平洋地区的军事和经济影响力，该组织已成为海上安全、供应链和区域战略合作的重要平台。
四方一再批评中国在南海的行动，指责中国将争议水域军事化。中国政府指责四方试图遏制中国的崛起和地区影响力。
华盛顿和新德里之间最近的贸易紧张局势，以及特朗普最近对中国的访问，促使人们重新关注这一集团。
国际危机组织(International Crisis Group)高级分析师唐西(Praveen Donthi)说，印度日益增长的全球影响力在很大程度上与其在平衡中国在该地区的力量的作用有关，美国对北京政策的任何转变都可能影响新德里对华盛顿的战略价值。
“如果美国改变对中国的态度，这将削弱印度的重要性，”唐西说。
伊朗战争增加了印度对能源的担忧，引发了对通过霍尔木兹海峡运输的担忧，这是印度进口原油的一条重要路线。不断上涨的燃料成本增加了印度经济的压力。
Jaishankar周日表示，印度将继续扩大能源进口，包括从美国进口，同时使供应商多元化，以保持市场稳定和价格合理。他说，新德里希望能源市场保持开放和不受限制，以支持全球经济增长。
自乌克兰战争开始以来，印度一直购买打折的俄罗斯原油，这有时会导致印度与美国的关系紧张。
华盛顿敦促印度增加对美国石油和天然气的购买，作为实现能源供应多样化的更广泛努力的一部分，卢比奥在新德里的会议上强调了更强有力的能源合作。
除了官方会议，卢比奥的访问还包括文化活动。
他从东部城市加尔各答开始行程，并参观了由特蕾莎修女创建的慈善传教士总部。他还出席了在新德里举行的庆祝美国独立250周年的招待会。
卢比奥的行程包括在阿格拉和斋浦尔停留，这两个城市是印度最受欢迎的旅游目的地，以纪念碑、堡垒和宫殿闻名。
Rubio's visit to India focuses on US trade tensions, the Quad alliance
NEW DELHI -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India marks an effort by Washington and New Delhi to steady strained relations as the two countries seek to reinforce strategic and economic ties despite recent trade tensions.
In meetings Sunday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Rubio stressed cooperation on trade, energy, defense and maritime security. Rubio said the countries remained strategically aligned and expressed optimism about a broader trade deal.
Rubio’s four-day trip also includes talks with members from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, the Indo-Pacific alliance more commonly known as the Quad.
Here is what Rubio’s visit means for India-U.S. ties:
Relations between India and the U.S. have strained in recent months after the Trump administration imposed steep tariffs on Indian exports, partly over New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil. The move angered Indian officials and fueled concerns in the Indian government over Washington’s reliability.
The two countries later reached an interim trade arrangement that eased some tariffs and expanded Indian purchases of U.S. goods, including energy products. But talks on a broader trade deal remain unresolved.
Despite the tensions, India and the U.S. continue to strengthen defense and technology ties, with Washington viewing India as a key counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific region.
During his talks with Jaishankar on Sunday, Rubio described India as one of Washington’s most important strategic partners and said he was optimistic the two countries would finalize a bilateral trade deal soon. Rubio also conveyed an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump for Modi to visit Washington later this year.
Rubio’s visit also is expected to include talks on Tuesday with foreign ministers from India, Australia and Japan, which are member nations of the Quad alliance along with the United States.
The grouping has become a key platform for cooperation on maritime security, supply chains and regional strategy as China expands its military and economic influence in the Indo-Pacific.
The Quad has repeatedly criticized China’s actions in the South China Sea, accusing Beijing of militarizing disputed waters. The Chinese government has accused the Quad of trying to contain China’s rise and regional influence.
Recent trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi, along with Trump’s recent visit to China, have prompted renewed attention to the grouping.
Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, said India’s growing global influence has been largely tied to its role in balancing China’s power in the region and any shift in U.S. policy toward Beijing could affect New Delhi’s strategic value to Washington.
“If the U.S. changes its approach towards China, it will diminish India’s importance,” Donthi said.
The Iran war has added to India’s energy concerns, raising worries about shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for the country’s crude imports. Rising fuel costs have increased pressure on the Indian economy.
Jaishankar said Sunday that India would continue expanding energy imports, including from the U.S., while diversifying suppliers to keep markets stable and prices affordable. He said New Delhi wants energy markets to remain open and unconstrained to support global economic growth.
India’s purchase of discounted Russian crude since the start of the Ukraine war has at times strained relations with the U.S.
Washington has urged India to increase purchases of U.S. oil and gas as part of broader efforts to diversify energy supplies, with Rubio emphasizing stronger energy cooperation during meetings in New Delhi.
Alongside official meetings, Rubio’s visit also has included cultural engagements.
He began the trip in eastern city Kolkata and visited the Missionaries of Charity headquarters founded by Mother Teresa. He also attended a gala reception in New Delhi marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
Rubio's itinerary includes stops in the cities of Agra and Jaipur, two of India’s most visited tourist destinations known for monuments, forts and palaces.
