Marco Rubio calls Delhi Red Fort blast a terror attack

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called Monday’s Delhi Red Fort blast “clearly a terrorist attack” and praised India’s handling of the investigation, saying New Delhi is capable of managing the probe without outside help.

Speaking to reporters in Canada on Wednesday on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, Rubio said Indian agencies had been “very measured, cautious and very professional” in the days since a car packed with explosives detonated near the historic Red Fort on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens.

“The Indians need to be commended. They’ve been very measured, cautious and very professional in how they’re carrying out this investigation,” Rubio said, adding that the explosion “clearly was a terrorist attack” involving “a car loaded with highly explosive materials that detonated and killed a lot of people.”

Rubio said Washington had offered technical and investigative support but stressed that Indian authorities were already “doing a good job” and did not require US assistance.

“We’ve offered to help, but I think they’re very capable in these investigations. They don’t need our help, and they’re doing a good job,” he told journalists.

The comments mark one of the strongest public endorsements to date from a senior US official of India’s response to the attack, which the Indian government has formally designated a terror incident.

The National Investigation Agency is leading the probe, and the Union Cabinet on Wednesday condemned what it described as a “heinous terror incident” near one of the capital’s best-known landmarks.

Rubio also confirmed he had spoken with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar after the blast, conveying condolences for the loss of life. The two met in Niagara, Canada, where Jaishankar later said he “appreciated” Rubio’s message and discussed broader issues in the bilateral relationship, including trade, supply chains and regional security.

While acknowledging concerns that any major terror incident in the region carries the risk of broader instability, Rubio said the US would wait for the outcome of India’s investigation before commenting on potential perpetrators or next steps.

He reiterated that once Indian agencies had assembled the facts, “they’ll release those facts,” and that Washington would remain in close touch with New Delhi as the probe advances.