Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Uzbekistan and India from 17 to 22 October. The itinerary includes Samarkand, as well as the Indian cities of Mumbai and Jamnagar, according to a statement issued by the US Department of State on 13 October.
In Samarkand, Rubio will participate in a C5+1 foreign ministers’ meeting, bringing together the United States and five Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The cooperation format has been in operation since around 2015.
According to the US State Department, the meeting will focus on how strategic cooperation within the C5+1 framework can strengthen peace and promote prosperity for the United States and Central Asian countries. During his visit, the secretary of state will also hold bilateral talks with representatives of countries in the region.
More than 200 representatives of major US businesses will accompany Rubio to Uzbekistan, according to the State Department. Washington expects the visit to provide fresh impetus to the development of trade and economic ties between the United States and Central Asia.
In India, Rubio will meet government officials to discuss the bilateral strategic partnership, regional and global developments, and opportunities to expand cooperation in the energy sector. Talks with business representatives are also planned to strengthen trade and economic ties between the two countries.
