Mumbai: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday for his second visit to India. During this, he will hold bilateral talks with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. The meeting is expected to discuss strengthening relations between the two countries and several key issues, including trade.
Rubio was accompanied by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and his wife, Jeanette Dosdebes Rubio.
Jaishankar meets US delegation ahead of Rubio’s visit
Prior to Rubio’s arrival in India, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with a US Congressional delegation in Mumbai on Tuesday. Issues related to trade, energy, security, and technology were discussed between the two sides.
Jaishankar posted on the social media platform X, saying, “I was delighted to meet the US Congressional delegation in Mumbai today. The delegation included Jason Smith, David Schweikert, Elise Stefanik, Andrew Ogles, and Jimmy Friedman. I appreciate their positive thinking and interest in advancing India-US relations.”
He further stated that the meeting also discussed trade, energy, security, and technology, as well as ease of doing business in India and strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Rubio to Pay Tribute to Terrorism Victims at Taj Hotel
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Marco Rubio will pay tribute to the victims of terrorism by laying a wreath at the Taj Memorial at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai at 3:40 pm on Tuesday. He is then scheduled to hold bilateral talks with S. Jaishankar at the same venue.
Rubio will also attend the Freedom 250 Reception at the Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai on Tuesday evening. He will then travel to Jamnagar, Gujarat, a major energy hub in the country, on Wednesday.
India-US trade deal also in focus
Marco Rubio’s visit comes at a time when discussions are underway to finalize the long-awaited trade agreement between India and the United States.
Rubio, speaking to reporters in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Monday, said the US is working toward finalizing a trade agreement with India.
“We are currently working on finalizing a trade agreement with India. We are very close to completing it,” he said.
Impact of sanctions and tariffs on Russian oil also discussed
Rubio also stressed the need to take India’s energy needs into account when considering potential sanctions and tariffs related to Russian oil imports. He described India as an important ally and partner of the US.
The US Secretary of State said Washington needs time to assess the economic impact of the proposed measures, including the potential impact on global energy supplies and prices.