New York : US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Kolkata on Saturday, beginning his first official visit to India ahead of key talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Rubio’s four-day India tour, which runs from May 23 to 26, comes amid growing strategic engagement between New Delhi and Washington on trade, defence, energy and Indo-Pacific cooperation.
Confirming Rubio’s arrival, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor wrote on X that the American diplomat would later meet PM Modi in Delhi. “Trade, Technology, Defense, QUAD, and many other items to discuss and advance over the next few days,” he said. While the US State Department has not officially released Rubio’s Kolkata schedule, sources in the US Consulate said he is expected to visit Mother House, the headquarters of Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa.
The visit is being seen as diplomatically significant, particularly in the backdrop of upcoming Quad consultations and discussions on energy cooperation. Speaking before departing for India, Rubio said the United States was keen to expand energy exports to India. The Quad meeting, scheduled for May 26, is expected to bring together Rubio, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for discussions on regional security, connectivity and strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Responding to a question about India being affected by high energy prices due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio described India as a ”great partner” and said he was looking forward to meeting with ministers from the Quad nations. The Quad meeting is planned for May 26, and it is scheduled to be attended by Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar presiding over it.
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