On Sunday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval engaged in significant discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New Delhi, focusing on enhancing strategic cooperation between India and the United States. The hour-long meeting was characterized by a positive atmosphere, where both officials expressed satisfaction with their frank dialogue. Key topics included cross-border terrorism, with Doval advocating for stronger US support against terror safe havens and an emphasis on intelligence sharing and disrupting terror financing. The two leaders also focused on strengthening the Quad alliance and enhancing maritime domain awareness, particularly in light of rising geopolitical tensions. They discussed measures to counter China's influence in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean region, as well as the potential expansion of joint military exercises like Malabar. Additionally, energy cooperation emerged as a significant theme, with talks on clean energy, critical minerals, and LNG supplies. Rubio, following his meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, noted that both nations are on the verge of reaching a trade agreement, reaffirming the strength and potential growth of the India-US relationship.