Marco Rubio lands in India's Kolkata for first official visit; QUAD talks and trade high on agenda
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "Marco Rubio lands in India's Kolkata for first official visit; QUAD talks and trade high on agenda")
Marco Rubio lands in India Photograph: (X/USAmbIndia)
Marco Rubio lands in India for first official visit. The trip comes just before the QUAD meeting and amid rising tensions across the Indo-Pacific and West Asia. Energy, defence, China and the Strait of Hormuz are all on the table.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Kolkata on Saturday (May 23) for his first official visit to India. the visit marks a significant step to deepen ties between Washington and New Delhi at a time of rising geopolitical tensions across the Indo-Pacific and West Asia. Rubio’s visit comes just days before the upcoming QUAD foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi on May 26, where India, the United States, Japan and Australia are expected to discuss regional security, maritime stability and growing tensions linked to China and the Middle East crisis.
The American diplomat was received at Kolkata airport by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who described the visit as a major step forward for bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, technology and energy. "Secretary Marco Rubio has landed in Kolkata. This is his first trip to India," Gor posted on X. "Later today, we will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Trade, Technology, Defence, QUAD, and many other items to discuss and advance over the next few days!"
Why this visit matters
The trip comes at a sensitive global moment. India and the United States have grown increasingly close strategically in recent years, especially over concerns linked to China’s expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific region. At the same time, instability in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have placed energy security back at the centre of global diplomacy.
Ahead of the visit, Rubio said Washington was prepared to supply India with "as much energy" as it was willing to buy. The statement is significant because India has been navigating volatile fuel prices and supply chain concerns caused by ongoing tensions involving Iran and the Gulf region.
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