New Delhi: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to land in India on Saturday for his first official visit in his current role, marking a significant moment in strengthening bilateral ties between the world’s two largest democracies.

Rubio, who also serves as National Security Advisor, will attend the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting here on May 26, joining External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Australia’s Penny Wong, and Japan’s Toshimitsu Motegi. The gathering aims to advance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, building on previous discussions.

In comments ahead of his trip, Marco Rubio described India as a “great partner” and emphasized Washington’s eagerness to deepen energy collaboration. “We want to sell them as much energy as they’ll buy,” he said, highlighting record US production and export levels. He also pointed to opportunities involving Venezuelan oil as part of broader portfolio diversification for India.

The visit includes stops in Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi, where Rubio is expected to hold high-level talks on energy security, trade, and defense cooperation. He will also attend an event at the US Embassy in New Delhi on Saturday.

This trip comes at a time when both nations are looking to expand practical cooperation beyond traditional areas. Observers see it as a clear signal of the US commitment to a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, with India playing a central role.

Rubio’s visit to Kolkata will be the first by a US Secretary of State in nearly 14 years, adding historical weight to the four-day tour. Bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi are also on the cards during his stay.

The developments underscore growing momentum in US-India relations, particularly in the critical energy sector, as both countries navigate global supply challenges.