U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India on May 23, 2026, for upcoming Quad talks with counterparts from India, Australia, and Japan. This visit aims to address and reset strained U.S.-India relations.
Key points
Marco Rubio arrived in India on May 23, 2026.
He is set to meet with counterparts from India, Australia, and Japan.
The meeting is part of the Quad strategic alliance.
The visit aims to reset strained U.S.-India relations.
Mentioned in this story
Marco RubioQuadIndiaNarendra ModiSundar PichaiSam AltmanDario AmodeiAlexandr Wang
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio disembarks his plane at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, India, Saturday, May 23, 2026.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio disembarks his plane at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in 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 in India on Saturday ahead of a meeting next week with his counterparts from India, Australia, and Japan, members of the Indo-Pacific strategic alliance known as the Quad.
What is the purpose of Marco Rubio's visit to India in May 2026?
Marco Rubio's visit aims to participate in Quad talks with leaders from India, Australia, and Japan to discuss strategic alliances and reset U.S.-India relations.
Who are the members of the Quad alliance that Rubio will meet in India?
The Quad alliance includes the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, with Rubio meeting his counterparts from these countries.
How does Rubio's visit relate to U.S.-India relations?
Rubio's visit is part of efforts to reset and improve the currently strained ties between the U.S. and India.
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Rubio's first official trip to India comes as Washington seeks to stabilize relations with New Delhi after ties soured over President Donald Trump's tariff policies, which raised duties on several Indian exports.
Much of Rubio's four-day visit, however, will focus on a multi-city tour, along with a gala reception in New Delhi marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
"There's a lot to work on with India, they're a great ally and partner. We do a lot of good work with them so this is an important trip," Rubio said ahead of his visit to India.
Rubio arrived in eastern city of Kolkata early Saturday where he is later scheduled to visit Mother House, the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa. In coming days, he will also visit northern cities of Agra and Jaipur, known for iconic monuments and palaces.
Sergio Gor, the U.S. ambassador in India, in a social media post said Rubio will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi later Saturday in New Delhi. "Trade, Technology, Defense, QUAD, and many other items to discuss and advance over the next few days!" he said.
He is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Sunday.
On Tuesday in New Delhi, Rubio will participate in the ministerial meeting of the Quad that has repeatedly accused China of flexing its military muscles in the South China Sea and aggressively pushing its maritime territorial claims.
Beijing maintains that its military is purely defensive to protect what it says are its sovereign rights and calls the Quad an attempt to contain its economic growth and influence.
After his inauguration in January last year, Rubio's first formal international engagement was meeting with the foreign ministers of the other Quad countries, both jointly and in separate sessions.
