US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Mumbai for official visit
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Mumbai: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began his official visit to India on Tuesday, with discussions on trade, defence, energy and strategic cooperation expected to feature prominently in his engagements with Indian officials.
Rubio arrived in Mumbai accompanied by his wife, Jeanette Rubio, and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who expressed hope that the visit would help strengthen bilateral ties.
The Secretary of State is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to review the two countries' Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and international developments. Other areas on the agenda include investment, critical and emerging technologies, and defence cooperation.
During his Mumbai visit, Rubio is expected to pay tribute to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks at a memorial at the Taj Hotel, attend the 'Freedom 250' reception and meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
He will subsequently travel to Jamnagar in Gujarat for discussions on expanding energy cooperation, according to the US State Department.
Rubio is also scheduled to meet business leaders to explore investment and commercial opportunities between the two countries.
The visit marks his second official trip to India this year, following an earlier visit in May. The Ministry of External Affairs said the engagements would provide an opportunity to sustain high-level contact and advance shared priorities between New Delhi and Washington.
With IANS inputs