Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Oct 14: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Mumbai and Jamnagar next week for talks with Indian officials, including discussions on enhanced energy cooperation, as Washington's deadline for imposing penalties on buyers of Russian energy approaches.

Rubio will travel to Samarkand in Uzbekistan, and Mumbai and Jamnagar in India, from October 17 to 22, the US State Department said in a media note.

"The Secretary will then travel to India for his second official visit this year," the department said.

"He will meet with senior government officials to strengthen the U.S.-India strategic partnership, exchange views on regional and global dynamics, and discuss prospects for enhanced energy cooperation," it said.

Rubio will also meet business leaders to promote commercial investment and economic cooperation, the statement added.

Jamnagar in Gujarat is home to Reliance Industries' refining hub, one of the world's largest refining complexes. However, the State Department did not specify the reason for including the city in Rubio's itinerary.

His visit to India comes days before the October 18 deadline under the Graham Act concerning duties targeting countries that purchase Russian energy. India has been among the largest buyers of Russian crude since 2022, and its oil imports have repeatedly caused friction with Washington.

Before arriving in India, Rubio will attend the C5+1 Ministerial meeting in Samarkand.

The State Department said he would "highlight how strategic cooperation through this diplomatic platform promotes a more peaceful and prosperous future for the United States and the countries of Central Asia".

He will also hold bilateral meetings with senior officials from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

"On this historic visit, Secretary Rubio will lead a U.S. commercial delegation comprised of over 200 business leaders, ushering in a new era of strengthened commercial cooperation for the United States and Central Asia," the department said.

In May, Rubio described India as a "great partner" and said his visit at the time would focus on energy and the Quad.

The C5+1 is a diplomatic platform bringing together the United States and the five Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

India and the United States describe their relationship as a comprehensive global strategic partnership covering defence, trade, technology and energy.