Marco Rubio Arrives in India for Quad Meetings, Aims to Reset Ties After Tariff Tensions
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India on March 28, 2025, for a four-day visit aimed at stabilizing relations strained by President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
His trip centers on a Quad ministerial meeting in New Delhi, bringing together foreign ministers from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. This is Rubio’s first official visit to India as Secretary of State.
Itinerary Highlights:
- Kolkata: Visit to the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity.
- March 29: Expected meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- March 30: Bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
- April 1: Quad ministerial meeting in New Delhi.
The Quad has repeatedly addressed China’s activities in the South China Sea. Beijing states its military actions are defensive and views the bloc as an effort to contain its growth.
First Major International Engagement
Rubio’s first formal international engagement after his January 2025 inauguration was a meeting with his Quad counterparts, underscoring the priority the administration places on the four-nation alliance. His trip also includes visits to Agra and Jaipur.