Taj Mahal stopover turns diplomatic as Marco Rubio speaks on India, Iran and Pakistan

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday visited the Taj Mahal in Agra along with his wife, Jeanette D. Rubio, during his ongoing India tour. Earlier in the day, while en route to Agra, Rubio defended ties between Washington and New Delhi, brushed aside racist remarks targeting Indian Americans online, and said the United States would continue to pursue diplomacy with Iran before considering “alternatives”.

Rubio also spoke about Pakistan, Hezbollah and President Donald Trump’s ties with India during the interaction.

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Rubio’s Agra visit came ahead of the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, where India, the United States, Australia and Japan are expected to discuss Indo-Pacific security and growing tensions in West Asia.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also accompanied Rubio during the Taj Mahal visit.

The Taj Mahal has frequently featured in the itineraries of visiting world leaders. US President Donald Trump and US Vice President JD Vance had also visited the monument during their respective India trips.

Marco Rubio says Trump is a ‘big fan’ of India

Responding to a question on racist comments against Indian Americans in the United States, Rubio dismissed social media rhetoric as noise amplified online.

“The President loves India. The President is a big fan of India, a big fan of Prime Minister Modi,” Rubio said, adding that Trump would not have sent senior officials to India if ties were not important to Washington.

He also said “people say stupid stuff all the time on social media”, while noting that it was difficult to determine who was actually behind many online accounts.

Rubio says India’s Pakistan concerns are understandable

Asked whether India had raised concerns over Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue in the US-Iran situation, Rubio acknowledged New Delhi’s long-standing position on terrorism operating from Pakistani soil.

“India is always pointing to the fact that there are armed terrorist groups operating from Pakistani territory that target India,” he said.

However, Rubio clarified that Pakistan’s role as a “mediator and facilitator” in the Iran matter did not emerge as a point of friction during discussions.

Taj Mahal visit becomes part of Rubio’s India diplomacy

Rubio, who visited the Taj Mahal during his India trip, called the monument “one of the wonders of the world” and said visiting iconic cultural landmarks was important while travelling abroad.

“I think it’s important to show respect to the culture of the countries that you visit,” he said.

In a lighter moment, Rubio joked that the only “Taj Mahal” he had previously known was the one in New Jersey once associated with Trump.

He said India’s diversity, history and cultural depth made the visit especially significant.

#WATCH | Delhi: On his visit to Taj Mahal today, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, “I have never been there. The only one I ever knew about was the one in New Jersey that the President used to have. It’s one of the wonders of the world. I think it’s important to show… pic.twitter.com/0wc7GlzuV8

— ANI (@ANI) May 25, 2026

Rubio says US still pursuing Iran nuclear deal

On Iran, Rubio indicated that negotiations were still underway and said Washington was giving diplomacy “every chance to succeed”.

According to Rubio, the proposal being discussed includes reopening maritime routes and entering a “significant time-limited negotiation” over Iran’s nuclear programme.

“The President is not going to make a bad deal,” Rubio said, adding that Trump remained serious about preventing a nuclear Iran.

He also suggested that if diplomacy failed, “we’re going to have to deal with it another way”.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Iran, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, “The President is not going to make a bad deal. No one has been more serious about the threat of a nuclear Iran than President Trump has been. And so I’m very confident that we should all be very confident that… https://t.co/RJikpNJ1dG pic.twitter.com/DwNzkk3XG8

— ANI (@ANI) May 25, 2026

Hezbollah remains biggest hurdle in Lebanon: Rubio

Rubio said the US was separately engaged on Lebanon and pointed to ongoing discussions involving the Lebanese and Israeli governments under a 45-day ceasefire arrangement.

However, he blamed Hezbollah for destabilising the region and described the group as “100% Iranian proxy”.

“As long as an armed Hezbollah exists, it’s going to be hard to achieve peace in Lebanon,” he said, accusing the group of victimising the Lebanese people while continuing attacks against Israel.

Rubio also defended Israel’s right to respond to missile threats.

Marco Rubio to visit Jaipur during India tour

Rubio is also scheduled to visit Jaipur, his first trip to the Rajasthan capital, later today.

According to officials, he is expected to tour Amer Fort, where Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari will welcome him.

Preparations for ceremonial events, cultural performances and enhanced security arrangements have already begun across Jaipur ahead of the visit.

Authorities have also intensified traffic management, surveillance and beautification work around key tourist locations linked to Rubio’s itinerary.