Rubio is also scheduled to attend the “Freedom 250 Reception” at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai in the evening. On Wednesday, he will travel to Jamnagar in Gujarat, an important energy hub. NEW DELHI: US secretary of state Marco Rubio arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday for a three-day visit to India.He is set to hold bilateral meeting with external affairs minister S Jaishankar focusing on strengthening ties between the two countries. The visit comes as Washington and New Delhi signal progress towards finalising a long-awaited trade agreement.Rubio is also scheduled to attend the “Freedom 250 Reception” at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai in the evening. On Wednesday, he will travel to Jamnagar in Gujarat, an important energy hub.US ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Rubio’s wife, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio, were also present on his arrival.Ahead of their schedule, Rubio and Gor also visited the Gateway of India with Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.Upon his arrival, Gor shared a picture of Rubio landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport with the caption, “Great to be back in Mumbai, this time with my friend Marco Rubio. Looking forward to a productive visit and to advancing US-India ties.”According to the ministry of external affairs (MEA), Rubio will pay tribute to victims of terrorism during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Taj Memorial inside the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel at 3.40pm. He is later scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Jaishankar at the same venue.The visit comes amid indications that the long-awaited India-US trade agreement could be nearing finalisation. Speaking to reporters in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Monday, Rubio said Washington was working to conclude the agreement.“We’re trying to finalise a trade deal with India right now. We’re very close to doing that,” Rubio said.He also highlighted the need to consider India’s energy requirements while assessing potential sanctions and tariffs related to Russian oil imports. Rubio described India as an important ally and partner of the United States.He said Washington needed time to assess the economic implications of the proposed measures, including their potential impact on global energy supplies and prices.
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Ahead of Rubio’s visit, Jaishankar met a US Congressional delegation in Mumbai on Tuesday. The discussions covered trade, energy, security and technology, along with ways to deepen cooperation between the two countries.In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Pleased to meet US Congressional Delegation comprising Jason Smith, David Schweikert, Elise Stefanik, Andy Ogles and Laura Friedman in Mumbai today. Appreciate their positive sentiments and interest in taking forward India-US ties.”“Specifically discussed trade, energy, security and technology aspects of our relationship. Also spoke about ease of doing business in India, and deepening of our Indo-Pacific cooperation,” he added.
