KOLKATA, May 23: Marco Rubio began his maiden official visit to India with a stop in Kolkata on Saturday, where he visited the headquarters of Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa and later toured a children’s home run by the organisation.
Rubio arrived in Kolkata earlier in the day as part of his four-day India visit and was received at the airport by US Ambassador Sergio Gor along with senior officials.
During his visit, the US Secretary of State paid homage at the Mother House, the global headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, and interacted with members of the congregation about their humanitarian work and charitable outreach.
Accompanied by Ambassador Gor and other officials, Rubio later visited Nirmala Shishu Bhavan, a children’s home managed by the Missionaries of Charity that provides care and shelter for underprivileged children.
The Missionaries of Charity, established in Kolkata by Mother Teresa, is globally known for its work among the poor, sick and destitute in several countries.
Rubio’s Kolkata arrival marked the first visit by a US Secretary of State to the city in 14 years. The last such visit took place in 2012 when former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton travelled to Kolkata during her India tour.
The visit also comes weeks after a significant political change in West Bengal following the formation of a BJP-led government in the state.
In a post shared on X, Ambassador Sergio Gor described Rubio’s India trip as an important diplomatic engagement focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation.
“Secretary Marco Rubio has landed in Kolkata. This is his first trip to India. Later today, we will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Trade, Technology, Defense, QUAD, and many other items to discuss and advance over the next few days,” the ambassador wrote.
Rubio’s India itinerary from May 23 to May 26 includes visits to Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi, where discussions are expected to focus on energy cooperation, strategic partnerships and meetings involving ministers from the Quad grouping.