Marco Rubio lands in Mumbai; set to meet Jaishankar today

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday (October 20, 2026), met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the Taj Mahal palace and discussed energy security and defence cooperation. Mr. Rubio is on a two-day visit to India, where he is slated to meet government and business leaders.

“Pleased to meet US @SecRubio 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,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Mr. Rubio said that the two sides “discussed energy security and defense cooperation while reaffirming the importance of advancing the U.S.-India strategic partnership”.

U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also commented on the meeting, saying, “Productive discussions between @SecRubio and External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar on deepening U.S.-India cooperation across defense, energy, emerging technologies, and trade, as we continue to build the unrivaled momentum in our bilateral partnership.”

There was also a joint meeting of Mr. Jaishankar, Mr. Rubio and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The UAE Minister is also in India for bilateral discussions between the two sides.

After landing in Mumbai, Mr. Rubio and his wife, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio, visited the Gateway of India with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Mr. Rubio and Mr. Jaishankar are scheduled to attend the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of American Independence. This is the second time Mr. Jaishankar will be the guest of honour at U.S. Embassy events for the 250th anniversary, after he attended a celebration in New Delhi in May.

On Wednesday (October 21, 2026), he will depart from Mumbai for Jamnagar to see the Reliance energy refinery and the Vantara animal facility, hosted by the Ambani family that officials termed a “private visit”.