‘Every Country Has Stupid People’: Marco Rubio Defends US Amid Racism Concerns

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday strongly defended the United States as a welcoming country while dismissing racist comments targeting Indians in the United States as the actions of "stupid people", saying such remarks do not reflect America's broader character as an immigrant-friendly nation.

Addressing a joint press conference with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi, Rubio was responding to a question on racism against Indians in the US.

Rubio said he takes such concerns seriously but emphasised that offensive remarks made by individuals do not reflect the values of the United States.

"I don't know how to address that, but I'll take that very seriously," Rubio said.

"I don't know what else to tell you, other than the United States is a very welcoming country,” he added.

How is India balancing relations with the US, Israel, Iran and Gulf nations?

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday highlighted that India is among the few countries in the world with strong relations and real interests in the Gulf and that it wants peace and stability in the region.

"India today is one of the very few countries that has very strong relations with the United States, with Israel, with Iran, and with the Gulf countries,” Jaishankar said.

“We have real interests there. For us, the challenge is how to maintain all these relationships, protect our equities, and advance our interests. We don't look at it as a zero-sum game," he added.

"Having said that, there are general principles: we want peace and stability in the region, the welfare of our diaspora is crucial, and as a big importer of energy, keeping prices down for global growth is vital,” the EAM said.

He reiterated India's strong interest in safe and unimpeded maritime commerce through the region and added, "We want energy markets not to be distorted or constrained because it has a cost implication for our people."

He added that India's priorities in the region included peace, stability, protection of the Indian diaspora and secure maritime trade routes.

"I would say there are some general principles by which we would approach this region. Obviously, we want peace and stability in the region,” Jaishankar said.

“For us, the welfare, the well-being of the diaspora is crucial. We want to see energy prices go down because we are a very big importer of energy, and much of it comes from that region. As I stated in my remarks, we are very much in favour of safe and unimpeded maritime commerce through the region,” he added.

(With inputs from ANI)