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Recalling his previous visit to India three or four months ago, Rubio referred to a celebration held in Delhi to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a Freedom 250 reception at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. (Reuters photo)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio joked that the US Embassy in India seemed to be busy organising parties as he addressed the Freedom 250 reception in Mumbai on Tuesday, drawing laughter from the audience.
Recalling his previous visit to India three or four months ago, Rubio referred to a celebration held in Delhi to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, hosted by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.
“When I was here three or four months ago, Sergio threw a big 250 party in Delhi. And now we’re here, another 250 party in Mumbai. And I’m starting to think all our embassy does here is throw parties,” Rubio said.
He added that the embassy would have to come up with something different next year, joking, “You can’t celebrate 251 the same way. It’s just not the same ring to it. But it is an honor to be back.”
‘We Don’t Come Enough’
Rubio also explained why he believed US officials should visit India more frequently, highlighting the country’s population, democratic system and strategic importance.
Asked during his previous visit why he was returning to India after just four months, Rubio said the country was the world’s most populous nation and an important geopolitical partner of the United States.
“But here’s where I ended by saying is, I actually think we don’t come enough. I actually think we don’t come enough,” he said, adding that the visits were not just about attending parties.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, “It’s a great honor to be back with all of you here today. And I say be back, because I was just here three or four months ago. And it’s interesting, when I was here three or four months ago, Sergio threw a big 250… pic.twitter.com/2izp0H3yXG— IANS (@ians_india) October 20, 2026
‘21st Century Will Be Defined By This Region’
Rubio said the Indo-Pacific region would play a defining role in shaping the course of the 21st century.
“If you think about the story and the history of the 21st century, it’s being written in this region, and it’s being written right now,” he said.
He added that the century would be defined, “for better and for worse”, by developments in the region.
“We know that, we can sense it, we can feel it,” Rubio stated.
Rubio’s visit comes amid efforts by New Delhi and Washington to strengthen bilateral ties, with both sides discussing trade, energy, defence and technology cooperation.
During talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday, the two countries also reviewed progress on negotiations for an India-US bilateral trade agreement.
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Ask News18While addressing the Freedom 250 reception in Mumbai on Tuesday, Marco Rubio joked that the US Embassy’s main activity in India seemed to be organizing parties, recalling a previous 250th anniversary celebration of American independence hosted by Ambassador Sergio Gor in Delhi.
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, …Read More
October 21, 2026, 00:29 IST
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