New Delhi, October 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will begin his India visit in Mumbai on Tuesday with a tribute to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, before travelling to Gujarat’s Jamnagar on October 21 for engagements linked to energy cooperation and business ties.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Rubio is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai at 2.15 p.m. and lay a wreath at the 26/11 memorial at the Taj hotel at 3.40 p.m. His meeting with Jaishankar is scheduled for 3.50 p.m., followed by a “Freedom 250” reception in the evening. He is also expected to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The November 2008 attacks killed 166 people, including six American citizens. Rubio’s tribute is expected to underscore the two countries’ cooperation against terrorism.
The US State Department described the trip as Rubio’s second official visit to India this year. His itinerary, covering Samarkand, Mumbai and Jamnagar from October 17 to 22, includes meetings with senior Indian officials and business leaders to discuss regional and global developments, strategic ties, energy cooperation and commercial investment.
The visit comes amid efforts by Washington and New Delhi to conclude a long-awaited trade agreement.
Speaking to reporters in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Monday, Rubio said the two countries were close to finalising a deal. He also linked the ongoing negotiations to considerations surrounding national security waivers issued by US President Donald Trump in connection with penalties targeting buyers of Russian energy.
The proposed trade agreement follows months of negotiations complicated by US tariffs and India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.
Rubio’s scheduled visit to Jamnagar, home to Reliance Industries’ major refining complex, is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss energy and economic cooperation.
FOLLOW NOW
