US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commenced his inaugural visit to India with a brief yet symbolic stop in Kolkata on Saturday, spending nearly three hours in the city. Accompanied by his wife Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, Rubio later departed for Delhi aboard a US Air Force Boeing C-32A around 10:30 am for a scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit marks the first by a US Secretary of State to Kolkata in 14 years, with the last being Hillary Clinton's visit in 2012, when she met then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Writers' Buildings.
Arrival and Visit to Missionaries of Charity
Flying directly from Sweden, Rubio landed at Kolkata airport around 6:40 am and proceeded straight to the Missionaries of Charity headquarters, arriving at approximately 7:35 am. Officials described the visit as a personal one. Rubio spent nearly 85 minutes with members of the order, attended a prayer service, and paid his respects at Mother Teresa's tomb. In a post on X, Rubio wrote, "Mother Teresa left a tremendous legacy of compassion and service. I was honoured to visit the Missionaries of Charity today to pay homage to her legacy..."
Sister Concettina MC, Secretary General of the Missionaries of Charity, expressed surprise and honor at hosting Rubio. "We did not expect such a high-ranking dignitary to come here, but it was his wish to come to the Mother House, and it was a joy for us to welcome him because he wanted to receive blessings at Mother's tomb," she said.
Visit to Nirmala Shishu Bhavan
Rubio's next stop was Nirmala Shishu Bhavan, a home for abandoned, destitute, and disabled children run by the Missionaries of Charity. He spent around 30 minutes interacting with children and officials there, reportedly distributing teddy bears among the children. Ambassador Sergio Gor, who accompanied Rubio, later wrote on X: "Moments like these remind us the US-India partnership rests not only on strong policies, but also on shared values and the spirit of selfless service that transcends borders."
Security and Logistics
Security was tightened across Kolkata during the visit, with traffic diversions in several parts of the city. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's convoy was briefly stuck on VIP Road for around 56 seconds. Rubio reached Kolkata airport around 10:30 am, from where he flew to Delhi. His four-day India itinerary also includes visits to Agra and Jaipur.
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About the Author
Tamaghna Banerjee, a reporter from Kolkata, covers crime, aviation, human rights, and politics. He has a keen interest in human interest and rural reporting. He holds a postgraduate degree in journalism and mass communication and has a total of 14 years in journalism.
