Marco Rubio India Visit LIVE: US Secy Meets Jaishankar In Mumbai, Discusses Energy Security And Defence Cooperation

Marco Rubio India Visit: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday for a three-day visit to India, with trade, energy, defence and investment high on the agenda. During his visit, Rubio met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and visited the iconic Gateway of India alongside Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and US Ambassador Sergio Gor. 

This is Rubio’s second official visit to India this year, following his trip in May, when he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His visit comes as India and the US move closer to finalising a bilateral trade deal, with discussions also expected to cover energy cooperation, critical technologies and the West Asia crisis.Later in the evening, at 6:35 pm, Rubio is scheduled to attend the Freedom 250 reception at the Jio World Convention Centre. On Wednesday, Rubio is scheduled to depart from Mumbai for Jamnagar.

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Latest Updates

- In a post on X, Rubio said he discussed energy security and defence cooperation with EAM S Jaishankar during their meeting in Mumbai. He added that both sides reaffirmed the importance of strengthening and advancing the India-US strategic partnership.

In Mumbai, Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar and I discussed energy security and defense cooperation while reaffirming the importance of advancing the U.S.-India strategic partnership. https://t.co/NcBneQKQZL

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) October 20, 2026

- Rubio met EAM Jaishankar in Mumbai. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were also present at the meeting.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: EAM Dr S Jaishankar meets US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. US Ambassador Sergio Gor and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were also present. https://t.co/WfcyEtKmqp

— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2026

- Rubio further said India could play an important role in meeting global energy demand, describing it as a “refining superpower” capable of processing heavy crude oil. He said, "India is a refining superpower. They have the capability to refine heavy crude. They've done so in the past, and I think as more and more Venezuelan oil comes online, it's something they can do. They also, by the way, have pre-existing oil concessions in Venezuela that can produce more themselves."

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On being asked what role India can play in meeting the world's energy demand, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, "... India is a refining superpower. They have the capability to refine heavy crude. They've done so in the past, and I think as more and more Venezuelan oil comes online, it's something they can do. They also, by the way, have pre-existing oil concessions in Venezuela that can produce more themselves. So, all these are positive things. I'm not claiming to you that Venezuela alone can fill the hole that could be caused by some of the things that are happening around the world, but I think over time, it most certainly can, and in the short term, it can certainly help. So, that's one of the things we'll talk about. With India, we've talked about it in the past, and they sound ready. They're willing to do it. There might be a few impediments that stand in the way in terms of sanctions and so forth that we'll have to work through..."

— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2026

- Rubio highlighted India’s importance as a key commercial and defence partner of the US. He said India and the US should increase high-level visits and engagement, adding that the two countries need to interact more frequently.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On his India visit, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, "First of all, I will point out that the Foreign Minister of India has been to the United States four times this year. This is the most populous country in the world. It's the largest democracy in the world. It's an important commercial partner and business partner of the United States. We also do a lot of defense cooperation. They're a key member of the Quad. They're a strong strategic partner. I actually don't think we've come enough, and I think we need to have more of them..."

— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2026

- On impending trade deal, Rubio said the India-US trade deal is very close to being finalised with only a few issues left to resolve. Speaking in Mumbai, he expressed optimism that the agreement would be concluded soon, with an announcement and signing expected thereafter.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On his India visit, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, "... As far as the trade agreement is concerned, the State Department doesn't negotiate trade agreements, but we are very much involved in what's happening. My counterpart, the National Security Advisor, and I care a lot about it. We're very, very close. I would say we're about as close as you can be without having executed the agreement. I think there's a small number of items left to wrap up, so I think that will happen shortly. We're hoping, which it should, and hopefully have some good news to announce soon and sign it thereafter. So, we're very optimistic that we will have something in place here very soon."

— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2026

- Rubio interacted with the press at the Taj Memorial in Mumbai during his visit to India. He is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss key aspects of India-US relations, including the proposed bilateral trade deal, defence cooperation, energy and other areas of mutual interest.

LIVE: U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio Interacts With Press at Taj Memorial in Mumbai https://t.co/w6ijxi7v8o

— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2026

- Rubio’s first stop after landing in Mumbai was the iconic Gateway of India which he visited along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and US Ambassador Sergio Gor.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Along with CM Devendra Fadnavis, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai. US Ambassador Sergio Gor is also with them. https://t.co/q705Y6XdGR

— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2026

- Rubio is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Mumbai to discuss ways to strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

- Ahead of his visit, Rubio said the US was “very close” to finalising a trade deal with India. EAM Jaishankar has also indicated that the negotiations are nearing a “landing point”.

The U.S. Secretary of State has landed! Welcome to Mumbai, @SecRubio. https://t.co/RICinG8LCx

— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) October 20, 2026

- The two sides are expected to discuss trade, energy, investment, defence and critical and emerging technologies, along with other areas of mutual interest.

- Rubio landed in Mumbai at 2:15 pm on Tuesday at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

Welcome back to India! https://t.co/B9xH1XB93E

— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) October 20, 2026

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