US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday (Nov 12) called this week’s explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort “clearly” a “terrorist attack.” Speaking to reporters at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Niagara, Canada, Rubio praised Indian authorities for how they have managed the probe so far.

“It clearly was a terrorist attack. It was a car loaded with highly explosive materials that detonated and killed a lot of people,” Rubio told reporters.

When asked about the blast, Rubio said, “The Indians need to be commended. They've been very measured, cautious, and very professional in how they're carrying out this investigation. That investigation continues.”

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

Rubio shared that he had spoken to Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar about the incident. He said the United States had offered to assist India in the probe but noted that India was capable of managing it on its own.

“We are aware of the potential it has, and we spoke a little about it today, the potential it has to become something broader. We are going to wait to see what the investigation reveals. We have offered to help, but I think they are very capable of these investigations. They don't need our help, and they are doing a good job,” Rubio said.

The explosion, which took place near the historic Red Fort on Monday night, is now officially being treated as a terrorist act by Indian authorities. Early findings suggest links to a “white-collar terror network” with ties to Pakistan-based groups Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH).

Investigators have also discovered a network of militants working in secret, including professionals such as doctors and religious figures. Between October 19 and November 10, police raids across several locations uncovered nearly 3,000 kilograms of explosive materials and led to multiple arrests connected to the case