New Delhi, May 24 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday strongly defended the United States as a welcoming country while dismissing racist comments targeting Indians in the United States as the actions of "stupid people", saying such remarks do not reflect America's broader character as an immigrant-friendly nation.

Addressing a joint press conference with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi, Rubio was responding to a question on racism against Indians in the US.

Rubio said he takes such concerns seriously but emphasised that offensive remarks made by individuals do not reflect the values of the United States.

"I don't know how to address that, but I'll take that very seriously," Rubio said. "I'm sure that ther...