MEA Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to hold talks on October 20

New Delhi: External affairs minister S Jaishankar and US secretary of state Marco Rubio will hold talks in Mumbai on Tuesday to discuss ways to strengthen the bilateral partnership during Rubio's visit to India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.

"On October 20, the external affairs minister will hold talks with US secretary of state Marco Rubio and attend the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States as a guest of honour," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. The meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio will provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss ways to strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, he said.

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Rubio will visit Mumbai and Jamnagar from this weekend, marking his second trip to India this year. India is awaiting a waiver under the sanctions law covering purchases of Russian oil, while the two countries are engaged in finalising a trade deal. Bilateral ties are also being tested by US President Donald Trump's engagements with Pakistan.

Jaishankar will also host UAE deputy prime minister and foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai on October 19-20 for an official visit, Jaiswal added.