Marco Rubio to visit India for trade talks

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

The visit is expected to focus on trade and security talks as both countries seek to limit the impact of the US-Israel war with Iran.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore confirmed the visit in a post on Twitter. He welcomed India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to the White House, where he met Rubio.

“Welcome Vikram Misri to the White House! Meaningful meeting with Secretary Rubio that focused on our bilateral relations, especially trade, critical minerals, defense and the Quad. Secretary Rubio looks forward to visiting India next month!” Gore said alongside a photo of the three.

Rubio is expected to discuss these topics in depth during his visit next month.

The Quad, or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, is an informal security grouping composed of the United States, India, Japan, and Australia. Its objective is to maintain a “free and open Indo-Pacific”. That objective has taken on particular importance after the conflict in the Middle East severely restricted global trade in the region.

Indian diplomats visited Egypt on 8 April, the day the ceasefire was announced. Before Rubio, Misri had met Alison Hooker, the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

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

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

I’m Mahima Kapoor, reporting from sunny New Delhi this Friday morning. I’ll be bringing you the biggest headlines, debates and talking points of the day in India.

New Delhi is in full “diplomacy mode” after the US and Iran reached a temporary ceasefire this week. India’s Petroleum Minister is currently in Qatar and India’s Foreign Minister is in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday. Both the Gulf countries have been greatly affected by the war between Iran and America and Israel.

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

Domestically, politicians are busy crafting favorable stories amid the election season. Voting took place at polling stations for the assembly elections of two states and one union territory on Thursday. Two other key states will vote in late April.

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

Stay tuned as we bring you the news of the day.