Marco Rubio Begins India Visit With Kolkata Missionaries Of Charity Stop

KOLKATA- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began his four-day official visit to India with a visit to Mother House, the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata.

Rubio arrived in Kolkata on the morning of May 23 and was received at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.

The US Secretary of State was accompanied by his wife, Jeanette Rubio, during the visit to Mother House, founded by Mother Teresa.

Rubio and his wife spent time at the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity and interacted with officials of the organization during the visit. The US Department of State also said Rubio was scheduled to visit the Children’s Home in Kolkata during his stop in the city.

The Missionaries of Charity, founded in Kolkata by Mother Teresa, is a Catholic congregation known globally for serving the poor, sick and destitute.

Rubio’s visit marks his first official trip to India since assuming office last year. He is expected to travel to multiple Indian cities, including Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi, during the visit.

The top US diplomat is also expected to hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and attend the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on May 26.

Ahead of the visit, Rubio described India as a “great ally” and “great partner” and said Washington wanted to deepen cooperation with New Delhi through the Quad framework and expanded energy ties.

Rubio also became the first US Secretary of State to visit Kolkata since former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton travelled to the city in 2012. (IANS)