Marco Rubio to visit India for trade talks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India in May.

The trip is expected to focus on talks on trade and security, as both nations look to limit the impact of the US-Israel war with Iran.

US ambassador to India Sergio Gor confirmed the trip in a post on X. He welcomed India’s foreign secretary Vikram Misri to the White House, where they met with Rubio. 

“Welcome to the White House Vikram Misri! Productive meeting with Secretary Rubio that focused on our bilateral relationship, especially trade, critical minerals, defense and the Quad. Secretary Rubio looks forward to visiting India next month!” Gor said, accompanied by a picture of the three. 

Rubio is likely to discuss the same topics in depth during his visit next month.

The Quad, or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, is an informal security group made up of the US, India, Japan and Australia. It aims to maintain a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” That aim has taken on special importance after the conflict in the Middle East severely restricted global trade in the region.

Indian diplomat Misri went to Washington on April 8, the day the ceasefire was announced. Before Rubio, Misri met US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker.

According to India’s state-run radio, Misri and Hooker discussed their two nations’ bilateral agenda and exchanged views on recent developments in the Middle East.

Good morning! and welcome to DW’s India news blog. 

This is Mahima Kapoor, reporting from a sunny New Delhi this Friday morning. I will bring you the biggest headlines, debates and talking points of the day in India.

New Delhi is in full “diplomacy mode,” after the US and Iranreached a temporary ceasefire this week. India’s petroleum minister is currently in Qatar, and India’s foreign minister is due in the UAE on Saturday. The two Gulf nations have been heavily impacted by the war between Iran and the US and Israel.

Another top Indian diplomat, currently in Washington, has secured a state visit from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who will arrive in India in May. Scroll above for what’s on the agenda for that visit.

At home, politicians are busy spinning favorable narratives amid election season. Two states and a union territory went to polling booths to elect their state assemblies on Thursday. Two other key states will vote later in April.

India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is looking to limit the political damage from rising food and cooking gas costs amid the Iran war. Meanwhile, opposition parties are hoping to capitalize and keep the BJP away from their strongholds.

Stick with us as we breakdown the day’s news for you.