US Senator Marco Rubio Visits India Amid Strained US-India Ties

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Visit India Ahead of Quad Meeting

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to India on Saturday for a three-day visit, which includes stops in Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi. During his trip, Rubio is expected to discuss energy security, trade, and defense cooperation with senior Indian officials.

The visit coincides with the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers from the Quad security forum, comprising the US, Japan, Australia, and India, scheduled for May 26 in New Delhi. The Quad has been established as a response to China’s growing influence in the region and has conducted joint military and naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific area.

Rubio’s visit also comes after the Trump administration dropped charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, who was accused of bribing Indian officials with up to $265 million. The US Department of Justice had previously waived sanctions on Adani, allowing him to invest $10 billion in the US, following his pledge.

Additionally, the Treasury Department has extended a 30-day waiver on sanctions for Russian seaborne oil, which allows temporary access to stranded oil and petroleum products without violating severe US sanctions. This move is seen as an attempt to ease pressure on major Russian oil buyers, including India.

Rubio’s meeting with other Quad leaders will be seen as a sign of the US reaffirming its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. The visit is part of Washington’s efforts to improve bilateral ties with New Delhi, following tensions between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.

Source: Al Jazeera