Marco Rubio arrived in Kolkata on Saturday, beginning his four-day diplomatic visit to India. The visit marks the first time in nearly 14 years that a US Secretary of State has visited Kolkata and comes shortly after West Bengal saw a major political transition with a BJP-led government taking office. Sources said Rubio is likely to visit the Missionaries of Charity headquarters, also known as Mother House, during his stay in the city.

Rubio’s India tour, scheduled from May 23 to 26, will also include Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi, where he is expected to participate in key energy and strategic discussions. The visit gains significance amid rising global energy concerns linked to tensions in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio said he looked forward to meeting ministers from Quad nations, including S. Jaishankar, Penny Wong and Motegi Toshimitsu, during the Quad meeting scheduled in New Delhi on May 26.