New Delhi, May 23: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began his four-day India visit with a stop at the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata on Saturday morning, underscoring the role of humanitarian values in strengthening bilateral ties. Rubio was accompanied by US Ambassador Sergio Gor, who highlighted the importance of shared principles in the US-India partnership.

In a post on social media platform X, Gor wrote: “Joined @SecRubio in Kolkata for a visit to the Missionaries of Charity. Moments like these remind us the US-India partnership rests not only on strong policies, but also on shared values and the spirit of selfless service that transcends borders.”

Rubio’s arrival in Kolkata marks his first official trip to India since assuming office last year. He was received by senior officials and is scheduled to travel to Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi during the visit. Later today, Rubio is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, a key engagement amid efforts to deepen cooperation between Washington and New Delhi on strategic and economic issues.

Ambassador Gor also welcomed Rubio’s visit, noting that the agenda includes the upcoming Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on May 26. “Honoured to welcome my friend Sec Rubio to India! We have an ambitious agenda ahead, including the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting, focussed on advancing POTUS’ vision for an even stronger US-India partnership,” Gor posted.

Rubio will hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday, followed by participation in the Quad meeting alongside Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. The discussions are expected to cover Indo-Pacific cooperation, defense, trade, energy security, and regional stability.

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The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, hosted by India, comes at a time of shifting geopolitical dynamics and heightened global uncertainty. Rubio has emphasized that Washington seeks to expand energy ties with New Delhi and strengthen collaboration through the Quad framework.

By beginning his India tour with a humanitarian visit, Rubio has signaled that the US-India partnership is not only about strategic alignment but also about shared values that transcend borders. The gesture is seen as reinforcing the people-to-people dimension of bilateral relations, complementing the broader diplomatic and economic agenda.