The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday confirmed that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will hold talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai on October 20. Jaishankar will also host UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the city from October 19 to 20.

Responding to a question during a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal outlined the minister's schedule, "So on October 19 and 20, the external affairs minister will host in Mumbai the deputy prime minister and foreign minister of the UAE, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for an official visit. On 20th October, the external affairs minister 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."

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Why Foreign Ministers Are Meeting In Mumbai Instead Of New Delhi?

Addressing questions about hosting foreign dignitaries outside the national capital, Jaiswal said this has been a regular practice over the last decade.

Pointing to past visits, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Vadodara, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad, and the Heart of Asia Conference in Amritsar, Jaiswal noted, "This has been the practice for the last decade or so that we have hosted foreign secretaries outside Delhi. The Prime Minister hosted the Prime Minister of Spain in Baroda. He hosted Chancellor Merz in Ahmedabad. Prime Minister of Mauritius was hosted by him in Varanasi, and then the external affairs minister hosted the foreign ministers' meeting in Goa. He hosted the foreign minister of Botswana in Kevadia in Gujarat, and the external affairs minister also hosted the Heart of Asia Conference in Amritsar."

Rahul Gandhi 'Summons' Jibe At Govt Over Marco Rubio's Visit

The MEA's clarification comes after Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi questioned PM Modi over Rubio's upcoming visit to Mumbai, alleging that officials in the external affairs ministry were unaware of the developments.

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In a post on X, Gandhi said, "Mr Rubio has summoned his employee to Mumbai. Modi ji, your officials in the external affairs ministry are confused about what's going on. You might want to explain. Unless, of course, you want me to."

Earlier, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor stated that American officials expected Jaishankar to meet Rubio in Mumbai. The Congress party questioned why the Indian government had not publicly announced the minister's engagement earlier.

(With Inputs From ANI)