US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, marking his first official visit to India since taking office. This four-day trip began in Kolkata, where he visited the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, making him the first US Secretary of State to visit the city since Hillary Clinton in May 2012. In New Delhi, Rubio is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and participate in a dedication ceremony for the US Embassy Support Annex Building. He will also engage in bilateral talks with India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, ahead of the Quad foreign ministers meeting scheduled for May 26.

A significant focus of Rubio's visit is energy cooperation, as he expressed a desire to increase US energy exports to India, particularly in light of global supply disruptions. The discussions will also cover defense cooperation, with an emphasis on co-production of military systems and advancements in technology such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Trade issues, including tariff disputes, will also be on the agenda. Rubio described India as a great ally and partner, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the US-India relationship during this visit.