MEA confirms Jaishankar-Rubio meeting on Oct 20 in Mumbai after Cong raises Questions
Nikhil Vyas
New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will hold talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai on October 20, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday, a day after Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned the ministry's silence over the proposed meeting and raised concerns over the disclosure of details by the American side.
The MEA said Rubio's upcoming visit to India would provide an opportunity for both sides to review bilateral ties and discuss ways to further strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said, "It is not surprising that the US Ambassador to India has just given more details on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's forthcoming visit to Mumbai. It is also not wholly surprising to hear him say that Mr. Rubio will be meeting Govt of India officials in Mumbai. But what is quite extraordinary is his statement that 'we expect the Minister Dr. Jaishankar to be joining us there along with other individuals'."
Addressing a media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Jaishankar would host his counterparts from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States (US) in Mumbai on October 19-20. Jaishankar will also attend celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of US independence as the Guest of Honour, the MEA spokesperson stated. Jaiswal said the meeting between Jaishankar and his UAE counterpart, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, would provide an opportunity to review all facets of bilateral cooperation and discuss the situation in West Asia, as well as global and multilateral issues.
"On 19th and 20th October 2026, the External Affairs Minister will host in Mumbai the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of UAE, His Highness Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for an official visit. On 20th October, Jaishankar will hold talks with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and attend the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America as the Guest of Honour," Jaiswal said when asked about Jaishankar's upcoming meetings.
"The visit of the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister will be an opportunity to review all facets of bilateral cooperation under the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two delegations will assess and take forward initiatives in the areas of energy, trade, investments, fintech, defence, and connectivity.
There will naturally be an opportunity also for a detailed exchange on the situation in West Asia, as well as on global and other multilateral issues," he added. Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit to India comes after Jaishankar travelled to the UAE on an official visit from October 14-16, where he held talks with the country's leadership and attended the Raisina Middle East event.
Regarding Rubio's visit, the MEA spokesperson said it would provide an opportunity for both sides to review India-US relations and discuss ways to further strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. "Discussions are expected to cover key areas of our bilateral cooperation, including energy, trade, investment, defence, critical emerging technologies, and other areas of mutual interest. The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments. The visit will provide an opportunity to sustain the high-level engagement between the two countries and advance our shared priorities," the spokesperson said.
Rubio will visit Mumbai and Jamnagar next week for talks that will include "enhanced energy cooperation", the US State Department said. During his visit, Rubio will meet senior government officials to strengthen the US-India strategic partnership, exchange views on regional and global dynamics, and discuss prospects for enhanced energy cooperation. He will also meet business leaders to promote opportunities for commercial investment and economic cooperation, according to the US State Department.
Asked why Mumbai was chosen as the venue for Jaishankar's bilateral engagements, Jaiswal said India had been hosting foreign dignitaries outside Delhi for the past decade or so. He cited examples including the Prime Minister hosting the Prime Minister of Spain in Baroda, Chancellor Merz in Ahmedabad and the Prime Minister of Mauritius in Varanasi. Jaiswal also referred to Jaishankar hosting the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Goa, the Foreign Minister of Botswana in Kevadia, Gujarat, and the Heart of Asia Conference in Amritsar.
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