'Defence Joint Production Ideal For Both Countries': US Secretary Of State Marco Rubio | Exclusive Interview

Last Updated:May 23, 2026, 18:51 IST

Rubio emphasised that the United States is actively looking to anchor long-term investments in India's domestic manufacturing corridor

In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a powerful pitch on Saturday for deep military-industrial collaboration, declaring that joint defence production is “ideal" for both Washington and New Delhi. Kicking off his high-profile four-day maiden tour of India, Rubio emphasised that the United States is actively looking to anchor long-term investments in India’s domestic manufacturing corridor, describing the country’s skilled workforce and corporate ecosystem as a “tremendous contributor" to the global strategic base.

“Joint production is ideal for both countries, and that is definitely something we need to build on," Secretary Rubio told CNN-News18. “India has tremendous capacity, a highly skilled workforce, and companies are very interested in investing here. Not only the US, but multiple countries are interested in developing their defence base, and India could be a tremendous contributor to that."

The Industrial Realignment: Moving Past Simple Procurement

Rubio’s explicit endorsement of co-development signals a foundational shift in how Washington approaches its strategic partnership with New Delhi. Historically defined by transactional direct commercial sales, the bilateral relationship is rapidly transitioning into an ecosystem of co-production, technology transfers, and co-designing frontline platforms.

By highlighting India’s “tremendous capacity", America’s top diplomat acknowledged that local industrial setups are fully capable of moving past simple assembly lines. For US corporate giants, investing heavily in Indian joint ventures allows them to bypass overstretched domestic manufacturing pipelines while establishing highly resilient, alternative supply chains less vulnerable to geopolitical shocks across the Indo-Pacific region.

The Multi-Nation Magnet: India as a Global Security Provider

Crucially, Rubio pointed out that the United States is not alone in recognising New Delhi’s growing manufacturing prowess. By noting that “multiple countries are interested in developing their defence base" through Indian infrastructure, the Secretary of State framed India as an emerging, centralised hub for democratic nations seeking to fortify their military inventories.

This multi-nation convergence aligns perfectly with New Delhi’s ambitious Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) mandates. As Western and European defence firms look to diversify away from traditional supply blocks, India’s unique combination of low-cost engineering precision and advanced digital systems makes it an incredibly attractive destination for global capital.

News india 'Defence Joint Production Ideal For Both Countries': US Secretary Of State Marco Rubio | Exclusive Interview

Read More