Rubio arrives in India ahead of Quad talks as U.S. tries to reset strained ties - BERITAJA

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio disembarks his level astatine Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport successful Kolkata, India, Saturday, May 23, 2026. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool AP

Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool AP

NEW DELHI — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived successful India connected Saturday up of a gathering adjacent week pinch his counterparts from India, Australia, and Japan, members of the Indo-Pacific strategical confederation known arsenic the Quad.

Rubio's first charismatic travel to India comes arsenic Washington seeks to stabilize relations pinch New Delhi aft ties soured complete President Donald Trump's tariff policies, which raised duties connected respective Indian exports.

Much of Rubio's four-day visit, however, will attraction connected a multi-city tour, on pinch a gala reception successful New Delhi marking the 250th day of U.S. independence.

"There's a batch to activity connected pinch India, they're a awesome state and partner. We do a batch of bully activity pinch them truthful this is an important trip," Rubio said up of his sojourn to India.

Rubio arrived successful eastbound metropolis of Kolkata early Saturday wherever he is later scheduled to sojourn Mother House, the office of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa. In coming days, he will besides sojourn bluish cities of Agra and Jaipur, known for iconic monuments and palaces.

Sergio Gor, the U.S. ambassador successful India, successful a societal media station said Rubio will telephone connected Prime Minister Narendra Modi later Saturday successful New Delhi. "Trade, Technology, Defense, QUAD, and galore different items to talk and beforehand complete the adjacent fewer days!" he said.

He is besides scheduled to clasp a bilateral gathering pinch India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar connected Sunday.

On Tuesday successful New Delhi, Rubio will participate successful the ministerial gathering of the Quad that has many times accused China of flexing its subject muscles successful the South China Sea and aggressively pushing its maritime territorial claims.

Beijing maintains that its subject is purely protect to protect what it says are its sovereign authorities and calls the Quad an effort to incorporate its economical maturation and influence.

After his inauguration successful January past year, Rubio's first general world engagement was gathering pinch the overseas ministers of the different Quad countries, some jointly and successful abstracted sessions.