- The State Department announced Rubio's 17-22 October trip to Samarkand, Mumbai and Jamnagar on 13 October 2026.
- It is his second official visit to India this year; he was in Delhi in May for a Quad foreign ministers' meeting.
- Energy cooperation and investment are on the agenda; Jamnagar hosts Reliance Industries' refinery.
The US State Department said on 13 October 2026 that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would travel to Samarkand in Uzbekistan and to Mumbai and Jamnagar in India between 17 and 22 October. It said he would meet senior officials to strengthen the strategic partnership, discuss energy cooperation and meet business leaders. The itinerary leaves out Delhi. Jamnagar is home to Reliance Industries' refinery. The MEA did not at first confirm the visit or say why Delhi was skipped, The Hindu reported.
The visit was announced days before the 18 October deadline for possible Graham Act tariffs over Russian oil and as both sides said a trade deal was close. The State Department named energy cooperation as a focus.
Claim by claim
Rubio will travel to Samarkand, Mumbai and Jamnagar from 17 to 22 October 2026.
Stated in the State Department's announcement dated 13 October 2026.
US Department of StateRubio's India itinerary does not include New Delhi.
The announced itinerary lists only Mumbai and Jamnagar in India; The Hindu reported he will skip Delhi.
US Department of State · The HinduThis is Rubio's second official visit to India in 2026.
The State Department calls it his second official visit this year; The Hindu says he last visited Delhi in May 2026 for the Quad meeting.
US Department of State · The HinduNot yet known
- ?Why the itinerary leaves out Delhi; the MEA has said only that hosting dignitaries in other cities is common practice.
Sources
4 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.
- US Department of StateSecretary Rubio's Travel to Samarkand, Mumbai, and Jamnagar
- The HinduMarco Rubio to skip Delhi, visit Mumbai and Jamnagar next week
- India TodayRahul Gandhi takes swipe at Marco Rubio Jaishankar meeting
- The Economic TimesIndia US strategic partnership: EAM Jaishankar to meet Marco Rubio on October 20: What India & US will discuss during Secretary of State's six-day India visit
Spasht writes original summaries. Follow the links to read each outlet's own report. Revision 1.