External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will hold talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai on October 20 to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. The meeting will focus on bolstering the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, with energy cooperation also expected to feature during Rubio's visit to India from October 17 to 22. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the meeting during his bi-weekly media briefing while responding to a question about Jaishankar's planned visit to Mumbai.
Jaishankar, Marco Rubio meeting on October 20: What MEA said
Announcing Jaishankar's engagements in Mumbai, Jaiswal said the external affairs minister would host the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on October 19 and 20.
"On October 20, the external affairs minister will hold talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and attend the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the Independence of the United States as a Guest of Honour," Jaiswal said.
The spokesperson added that the meeting would provide an opportunity for both countries to discuss ways to strengthen their strategic partnership.
"The meeting between External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Secretary of State Rubio will allow both sides to discuss ways to bolster the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership," Jaiswal said.
Marco Rubio's India visit: Energy cooperation on agenda
Rubio will visit India from October 17 to 22 as part of a regional tour that will also include Samarkand in Uzbekistan. His India itinerary includes Mumbai and Jamnagar, according to an earlier announcement by the US Department of State.
The department said the visit would aim to further strengthen energy cooperation between India and the United States.
The meeting with Jaishankar comes as both countries seek to advance cooperation across strategic and economic areas. The talks are expected to provide an opportunity to review the bilateral partnership and discuss avenues for deeper engagement.
US envoy Sergio Gor confirms planned talks in Mumbai
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor had also indicated that Rubio would meet Indian government officials during his Mumbai visit.
Speaking at an interactive session at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum on Thursday, Gor said Rubio would meet Indian officials in the city.
"We expect that minister Dr S Jaishankar will be there," Gor said.
The remarks came ahead of the MEA's confirmation of the October 20 meeting.
Jaishankar to host UAE foreign minister in Mumbai
Alongside the India-US talks, Jaishankar will host Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, for an official visit on October 19 and 20.
The engagements will bring together discussions on India's partnerships with the United States and the UAE in Mumbai over two days. Jaishankar's meeting with Rubio will also coincide with celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of US independence, which the Indian external affairs minister will attend as a Guest of Honour.