United News of Bangladesh

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India on Saturday ahead of a key meeting next week with foreign ministers from India, Australia and Japan under the Indo-Pacific strategic group known as the Quad. The visit marks Rubio’s first official trip to India at a time when Washington is trying to steady ties with New Delhi after relations were strained over tariff policies introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump, which increased duties on several Indian exports. Despite the diplomatic focus, much of Rubio’s four-day visit will include a multi-city tour and a gala reception in New Delhi marking the 250th anniversary of US independence. Speaking ahead of the trip, Rubio described India as a “great ally and partner,” saying both sides are involved in important cooperation and have much work to do together. He arrived in the eastern city of Kolkata early Saturday and is expected to visit the Mother House Kolkata, the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa. During the visit, Rubio is also scheduled to travel to Agra and Jaipur, two northern cities known for their historic monuments and palaces. According to U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, Rubio will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later Saturday in New Delhi for discussions on trade, technology, defence and Quad cooperation. He is also set to hold bilateral talks with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Sunday. Rubio will join the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting on Tuesday in New Delhi, where the group is expected to discuss regional security concerns, particularly China’s growing military presence in the South China Sea and its maritime claims. Beijing has repeatedly rejected such criticism, saying its military activities are defensive and accusing the Quad of attempting to contain its economic rise. Rubio previously held his first major international engagement with Quad foreign ministers shortly after taking office, underscoring the group’s importance in U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Germany later this week, said the U.S. State Department on Tuesday.