Jaishankar ‘called’ by Marco Rubio? MEA clarifies Mumbai meeting amid Congress criticism; says energy, business on the agenda | Today’s news
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday confirmed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on October 20 in Mumbai.
The MEA spokesperson’s statement came as the opposition objected to Rubio’s visit to Mumbai, which was first announced by the White House. Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Pawan Khera, claimed that Jaishankar had been “summoned” to Mumbai to meet US Secretary Rubio, who is skipping Delhi.
The opposition criticized the Center for not disclosing the details of the Jaishankar-Rubio meeting first. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh asked, “Since when was the announcement of the Indian External Affairs Minister’s meetings in India given to someone other than the official spokesperson of the MEA?”
What the MEA said at the Rubio-Jaishankar meeting
Responding to such a comment on social media, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that External Affairs Minister Jaishankar will host UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai on October 19 and 20, 2026 – before meeting Rubio.
“On October 20, the External Affairs Minister will hold talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and attend the 250th Independence Day celebrations of the United States of America as the guest of honour,” Jaiswal said at a press conference on Friday.
Jaiswal also answered a question about Jaishankar’s meeting schedule with Rubio in Mumbai next week and why Mumbai was chosen for it.
An MEA spokesperson said it has been the practice for the past decade or so that the government has hosted foreign dignitaries outside Delhi.
“And to give a few examples, the Prime Minister hosted the Prime Minister of Spain in Vadodara, he hosted Chancellor Merz in Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister of Mauritius hosted him in Varanasi and then the Foreign Minister hosted the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Goa, he hosted the Foreign Minister of Botswana in Asia in Kevadia in Amrita Gujarat, he also hosted the EA Foreign Ministers Conference in Amrita Gujarat, he said.
“That was just to give you a few examples of meetings of leaders, dignitaries that took place outside Delhi,” the spokesperson added.
On Rubio’s visit to India next week, Jaiswal said: “In terms of the Secretary of State’s visit, this upcoming visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review the India-US relationship and discuss ways to further strengthen our comprehensive global strategic partnership that we have with the United States.”
Discussions are expected to cover key areas of bilateral cooperation including energy, trade, investment, defense, critical and emerging technologies and other areas of common interest.
“Both sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments. The visit will provide an opportunity to maintain high-level engagement between the two countries and advance our common priorities,” Jaiswal said.
The White House had previously announced Rubio’s five-day visit to India and Uzbekistan from Saturday, October 17 to Wednesday, October 22.
In a White House statement released on Oct. 13, Rubio will meet with senior administration officials “to strengthen the US-India strategic partnership, exchange views on regional and global dynamics, and discuss prospects for enhanced energy cooperation.”
Secretary Rubio will also meet with business leaders to promote opportunities for commercial investment and economic cooperation.
The White House press release came as Indian and US officials indicated earlier this month that long-standing efforts to finalize a bilateral trade deal had again stalled.
