Rubio to Visit India for Diplomatic Talks on Quad, Trade and Defense
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India from May 23 to 26 for talks expected to focus on the Quad partnership, energy security, trade and defense cooperation, according to the State Department.
Rubio is scheduled to travel to Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi during the visit. Before arriving in India, he will travel to Helsingborg, Sweden, on May 22 to attend the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting.
“The Secretary will discuss energy security, trade, and defense cooperation during meetings with senior Indian officials,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
In addition to bilateral meetings with Indian leaders in New Delhi, Rubio is expected to attend a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting involving India, the United States, Japan and Australia.
Mukesh Aghi said Rubio’s visit comes at an important moment for the region and the broader U.S.-India strategic partnership.
“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.
Aghi said discussions between Washington and New Delhi are expected to include maritime security concerns related to the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional stability.
“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 likely seek clarity on recent diplomatic engagements involving China and their 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 visit comes at an “appropriate time” and is expected to address issues on “multiple front” affecting both countries.
At the NATO meeting in Sweden, Rubio is expected to discuss “the need for increased defense investment and greater burden sharing in the Alliance,” according to the State Department. He is also expected to meet counterparts from the Arctic Seven nations to discuss shared economic and security interests in the Arctic and a “strengthened posture in the High North.” (Source: IANS)
