The key facts

  • Rubio will visit Samarkand, Mumbai and Jamnagar from October 17 to 22
  • A C5+1 meeting and bilateral talks with the five Central Asian countries will take place in Samarkand
  • The US delegation numbers more than 200 business leaders (in September, more than 100 was announced)

Announcement of the visit

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Uzbekistan and India from October 17 to 22. This is stated in a US State Department statement dated October 13, cited by Darakchi.uz, Zamon.uz and Spot.uz. The first stop on the route will be Samarkand, followed by the Indian cities of Mumbai and Jamnagar.

Samarkand and the C5+1 format

In Samarkand, Rubio will take part in a foreign ministers' meeting in the C5+1 format, which brings together the United States and five Central Asian countries — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. According to the State Department, the meeting will discuss strategic cooperation, strengthening peace and prosperity in the region. The Secretary of State will also hold bilateral talks with high-ranking officials of these five states.

Business delegation and goals of the trip

Rubio will lead an American trade delegation of more than 200 business representatives. The State Department says the trip is aimed at developing commercial cooperation between the US and Central Asia and will "open a new era of enhanced trade cooperation." It is noted that in September, President Donald Trump's special envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, announced the visit, speaking at the time of a delegation of more than 100 people; Gor also reported plans to discuss with Uzbekistan's leadership the development of trade, support for private investment and economic modernization, and at the C5+1 meeting — trade and economic ties, energy security and cooperation.

Indian leg of the route

After Uzbekistan, Rubio will travel to India, where he will meet with government and business representatives. The parties intend to discuss US-India strategic partnership, the regional and global situation, as well as prospects for expanding cooperation in the energy sphere. Meetings with the business community on investment and economic ties are planned.