Rubio will travel to Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi during his visit….reports Asian Lite News
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India from May 23 to 26 for a series of high level diplomatic engagements expected to focus on the Quad partnership, energy security, trade ties and defence cooperation against the backdrop of growing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East.
According to the US State Department, Rubio will travel to Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi during his visit. The trip follows his participation in the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, on May 22.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rubio would hold discussions with senior Indian officials on a range of strategic issues.
“The Secretary will discuss energy security, trade, and defense cooperation during meetings with senior Indian officials,” Pigott said in a statement.
Rubio is also expected to attend the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi alongside counterparts from India, the United States, Japan and Australia. The meeting is likely to focus on maritime security, regional stability and coordination among the four nations as they seek to counter growing challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Industry expert Mukesh Aghi said Rubio’s visit comes at a crucial moment for the US-India strategic partnership and regional security.
“It is time we resurrect the Quad, and that’s very important, especially in the current scenario of the Middle East challenges,” Aghi told IANS.
He said discussions between Washington and New Delhi were expected to cover maritime security concerns linked to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route, as well as broader regional stability issues.
“It is important to have discussions between India and the US regarding the Strait of Hormuz,” Aghi said. “You have to understand, India has one of the largest navy in the region itself.”
Aghi also said India would seek clarity from Washington on recent diplomatic engagements involving China and the possible implications for the region.
“It is important for Secretary Rubio to brief government of India on the China visit because there are implication for India,” he said. “India would like to understand how this impacts.”
According to Aghi, the timing of the visit is significant as both countries are dealing with challenges across several fronts, including regional security, energy supplies and shifting geopolitical alliances.
Before arriving in India, Rubio will participate in the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Sweden, where discussions are expected to centre on increased defence investment and greater burden sharing among alliance members.
The State Department said Rubio would also meet foreign ministers from the Arctic Seven nations to discuss shared economic and security interests in the Arctic region and efforts to strengthen strategic coordination in the High North.
