US Secretary of State Rubio begins India visit, pays respects to 26/11 victims

Secretary of State Marco Rubio commenced a three-day visit to India, marking a significant engagement in the bilateral relationship between the United States and India. The tour includes meetings with key Indian officials and visits to major cities across the country.

During his time in Mumbai, Rubio is scheduled to meet with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss matters of mutual interest between the two nations. The visit reflects the strategic importance both countries place on strengthening their diplomatic and economic ties.

A solemn highlight of Rubio's Mumbai itinerary involves paying tribute at the Taj memorial, where he will lay a wreath to honour the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks. The 2008 Mumbai attacks, which claimed 166 lives, remain a defining moment in India's recent history and a significant reference point in US-India security cooperation.

The visit is expected to cover a range of bilateral issues, including defence cooperation, trade, and regional security concerns. Such high-level exchanges underscore the deepening engagement between Washington and New Delhi at a time of significant geopolitical shifts in South and Southeast Asia.

Photo: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) meets Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the State Department, Washington, February 2026. Freddie Everett, US Department of State, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).