Mumbai, October 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday met Sunil Kudyadi, the security chief at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Hotel who was on duty during the 26/11 terror attacks, and heard his first-hand account of the assault, including details of how long the siege lasted.
The meeting took place after Rubio laid a wreath at the 26/11 memorial at the hotel. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar introduced Kudyadi to the US Secretary of State.
Reaffirming the shared commitment of the United States and India to combating terrorism, Rubio paid tribute to the victims of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, in which Pakistan-based terrorists killed 166 people, including six American citizens.
“At the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, I laid a wreath honouring the victims of the horrific November 26, 2008, terrorist attacks, including six American citizens. We remember those lost, honour the courage of those who responded, and reaffirm the enduring US-India partnership and our shared commitment to combating terrorism,” Rubio said in a post on X.
Later, during talks with Jaishankar, Rubio called for greater energy trade between India and the United States, along with increased Indian purchases of American technologies and systems, according to the US State Department.
“The Secretary (Rubio) reiterated that increased energy trade with the United States can play a transformative role in diversifying India’s supply chains while meeting its sizeable consumer demand. He also commended recent progress in bilateral defence and civil nuclear cooperation, and advocated for the increased purchase of US technologies and systems, which can enhance the security and prosperity of both our countries,” the State Department said in a statement.
The two sides also discussed regional and global issues, including developments in the Middle East, the statement added.
Jaishankar, in a post on X following the meeting, said, “Pleased to meet US Marco Rubio in Mumbai today. We shared views on further advancement of our ties, focusing on trade, energy, technology, defence and people-to-people ties. Also exchanged views on regional developments.”
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