Marco Rubio lands in Mumbai; set to meet Jaishankar today

India and the United States are perfectly aligned on their core issues of national interest, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday (October 20, 2026). They are jointly committed to “dismantling terrorist networks” and “securing justice for victims,” according to a statement from the U.S. Consulate General of Mumbai.

“When two powers are aligned on issues that define the 21st century, then we have an opportunity to write those pages of history of the 21st century,” he said, addressing a ‘Freedom 250’ event in Mumbai. This is Mr. Rubio’s second visit to India and first to Mumbai.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Rubio laid a wreath at south Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Hotel to honour the memory of the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar appreciated the gesture and said that India expected its partners to show zero tolerance towards terrorism.

Combating terror together

There were six American citizens among the 166 victims who lost their lives in the coordinated terror attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008. “The Secretary strongly condemned the attacks and reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering solidarity with the people of India. Secretary Rubio underscored the Trump Administration’s commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and ensuring that those responsible for acts of terrorism are brought to justice, including individuals facing charges for their roles in planning the 2008 Mumbai attacks. His visit reinforced the shared U.S.-India commitment to combating terrorism and securing justice for victims worldwide,” the U.S. Consulate General of Mumbai said in a statement.

Mr. Jaishankar said that the entire country appreciated this gesture, welcoming the Trump administration’s decision to extradite key accused Tahawwur Rana to India. “We are clear on the right to defend ourselves against terrorism, and expect that our partners show zero tolerance towards terrorism as well,” he said.

‘The power of super intelligence’

Mr. Rubio termed the Indo-U.S. alliance “extraordinary”, adding that both the countries were equally committed to draw from technological advances in the age of ‘super intelligence’. Both countries had the same expertise in technology, he said.

“How do we harness the power of super intelligence? We must mitigate the downsides, but we must accentuate the positive sides. On that, we are both perfectly aligned. We want to see a world where super intelligence is used for the advantage of human kind,” he said.

Mr. Jaishankar said the newer vistas for bilateral ties lied in trade, technology, investment and energy. “World order has transitioned. Each will pursue our national interest. New opportunities in our partnership in trade, technology, investment, energy await us. We have a shared stake in strengthening them,” he said.

Mr. Rubio will depart for Jamnagar on Wednesday, where he will visit Reliance Industries’ oil refineries.