Amid a row over new H-1B and H-4 visa rules that have left hundreds of Indians stranded, the US Embassy on Tuesday shared US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assessment of India–US ties.
“India is one of the top relationships the United States has in the world today in terms of what the future of the world is going to look like,” Rubio was quoted as saying during Ambassador Sergio Gor’s Senate hearing in September 2025.
While the embassy did not clarify the context of the remarks, they appear to underscore the importance of the bilateral relationship between India and the US, which has been facing headwinds since early this year, when US President Donald Trump announced a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering the American market.
The comments also come amid ongoing disruptions in H-1B and H-4 visa renewals following the launch of “online presence reviews” starting December 15.
According to reports, hundreds of Indian H-1B visa holders who had returned to India to renew their US work permits have been left stranded due to the new social media vetting rule. Their visa appointments are reportedly being rescheduled by US consular offices.
On Monday, the US Embassy advised Indian nationals to expect delays in the issuance of H-1B and H-4 visas due to the rollout of expanded “online presence reviews” beginning December 15. The embassy said these screenings are being conducted for all applicants of all nationalities worldwide.
The US Embassy further stated that applicants seeking non-immigrant visas should apply as early as possible, given the increased processing times for H-1B and H-4 visas.