The US Embassy in New Delhi had earlier indicated that the visit would feature “Ministerial Quad meetings” alongside high-level bilateral engagements.
New Delhi: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India from May 23 to 26, the United States Department of State confirmed on Wednesday, with engagements expected to include discussions on energy security, trade and defence cooperation.
The US Embassy in New Delhi had earlier indicated that the visit would feature “Ministerial Quad meetings” alongside high-level bilateral engagements. While the State Department statement did not mention the Quad meeting, reports said it is likely to be held in New Delhi on May 26.
The Quad, comprising India, the United States, Japan and Australia, focuses on ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. According to reports, the meeting will be chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and attended by Rubio and his counterparts from Australia and Japan.
The visit comes less than a month ahead of a possible meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France in mid-June. US media reported on Wednesday that President Trump is expected to attend the summit. If held, the meeting would be the first between the two leaders in 16 months, following Modi’s visit to the United States in February last year.
Modi, who recently concluded visits to four European nations after travelling to the UAE, is expected to return to Europe next month for the G7 Summit at Évian-les-Bains in Haute-Savoie. India, though not a member of the G7, has been invited as a guest country in recent years.
In its statement, the US State Department said, “Secretary Rubio will travel to India from May 23-26, where he will visit Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi. The Secretary will discuss energy security, trade, and defense cooperation during meetings with senior Indian officials.”
Separately, the US Embassy posted on X on Tuesday, “The US Embassy in India looks forward to welcoming @SecRubio for his first visit to India, ministerial Quad meetings, high level engagements, and celebrating 250 years of America.”
