United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India on May 23, 2026, for his first official visit to the country as America’s top diplomat. The four-day trip covered Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi, with discussions centered on energy security, trade, and defense cooperation with senior Indian officials.
Describing the visit’s purpose, Mr Rubio said in an interview published by the State Department: “I view it more as a continuation of a very strong relationship and looking for new areas of opportunity. We hope to have finalised very soon a trade agreement that will make both of our countries stronger.”
After landing in Kolkata, Mr Rubio visited the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, the humanitarian organisation founded by Mother Teresa. Later on that day, he called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, where he underscored the strategic importance of the US-India partnership. They discussed the partnership in energy, securing critical supply chains, and collaboration on emerging technologies.
At the meeting, Secretary Rubio expressed his appreciation for India hosting the upcoming Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and said he looked forward to advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region alongside Australia, India, and Japan. He also invited the Prime Minister, on behalf of President Trump, to visit the United States later in the year.
On Sunday 24 May, Mr Rubio held formal bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. The two discussed energy ties, trade, immigration, and Indo-Pacific security, with India’s increasing sourcing of energy supplies from the United States emerging as a key discussion. Mr Rubio spoke about the broader bilateral relationship at a reception at Roosevelt House, the US Embassy residence in New Delhi, where he stated: “India is at the cornerstone of how the United States approaches the Indo-Pacific — and not just through the Quad but bilaterally.” EAM Jaishankar stated on X that they reviewed the entire spectrum of their Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, including trade and energy, defence and security, critical minerals and AI, nuclear and people-to-people ties, and counter-terror and counter-narcotics cooperation.
Also on 24 May, Mr Rubio met National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval. Discussions focused on defence, security, and strategic technology cooperation, including the TRUST initiative.
Mr Rubio’s visit will culminate with the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for 26 May. The meeting was set to involve Mr Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, alongside bilateral sessions with Dr Jaishankar and separate calls on Prime Minister Modi.
The ministers planned to build on discussions held in Washington D.C. on 1 July 2025, in keeping with the Quad’s vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. India holds the Quad’s rotational chair this year.
Mr Rubio also took to X to commend the efforts of American diplomats in India, highlighting India’s commitment to purchasing USD 500 billion in US goods over the next five years, focusing on energy, technology, and agriculture.
