‘They don’t need our help’: Rubio praises India’s investigation in Delhi blast case; calls it ‘terrorist attack’

US secretary of state Marco Rubio

US secretary of state Marco Rubio has praised India’s handling of the investigation in the recent Delhi blast case that claimed 12 lives and injured several people.

Speaking to reporters in Canada after a meeting of G7 foreign ministers on Wednesday, Rubio said Washington offered help to New Delhi but praised Indian investigators for handling the situation effectively.

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

‘Clearly a terrorist attack’

Rubio also called the blast, which took place in the national capital during a busy evening on November 10, as a “terrorist attack”.

"The Indians need to be commended. They've been very measured, cautious and very professional on how they're carrying out this investigation. That investigation continues. It clearly was a terrorist attack. It was a car loaded with highly explosive materials that detonated and killed a lot of people."

He further added, "I think they are doing a very good job of carrying out an investigation and I think when they'll have facts, they'll release those facts."

The US secretary of state also shared that he spoke with external affairs minister S Jaishankar about the blast. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers meet in Niagara, Canada, where Rubio expressed condolences for the lives lost in the Red Fort blast.

A day after the deadly blast, the US embassy in India took to X and wrote, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were lost in the terrible explosion in New Delhi last night. We wish a swift recovery to those who were injured - Ambassador Sergio Gor.”

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is carrying out investigations into the Delhi blast case.

(With ANI inputs)