Rubio to attend NATO talks, pay first visit to India / Photo: © AFP/File
-
Modi vows punishment for exam fraud fuelling India protests
-
ASEAN to call for open straits as US-Iran war casts shadow
-
Six candidates in race to lead UN set for televised debate
-
AI catches up with humans to score 100% at top maths contest
-
Comic-Con kicks off with Marvel's return
-
South Korea election office raided in fake turnout figures probe: investigators
-
Dutch riders dreaming of crazy party corner of Alpe d'Huez
-
Killer whales: orcas blow fish to bits 'for fun', study finds
-
Houthis target Red Sea shipping as US hits Iran
-
Deadly wildfires force thousands from homes in parts of Europe
-
Record-equalling Red Sox streak halted at 15 wins
-
Tech bounce lifts Asia stocks, oil extends gains on US-Iran fears
-
Messi-less Miami beat Fire 3-2 to spoil Lewandowski's MLS debut
-
Surrounded by militias, Sudanese fear endless cycle of war
-
Mercedes expect Hungary challenge from Hamilton and Ferrari
-
Commonwealth Games 'where champions are made' despite slimmed down model, argues president
-
In Ghana, one man's race to save critically endangered fish
-
Trump family project in Albania has already caused 'irreparable' damage: NGOs
-
Wilson captain, Slipper absent in Kiss's first Wallabies squad
-
Bollywood blast master keeps it real with fire and fury
-
New Mideast fighting puts eurozone rate-setters on alert
-
Tearful fights, edible offerings: A glimpse into the Maradona trial
-
Venezuelans search for animal companions lost in the quakes
-
What's the deal with peptides? The hyped market under US review
-
Argentine Football Association says US did not detain its president
-
Tesla shares fall as Musk touts ambitious -- and costly -- plans
-
June heatwave cost UK economy more than £1bn: study
-
Houthis claim Red Sea tanker strikes as US hits Iran again
-
Google-parent Alphabet beats expectations, cloud revenue nearly doubles
-
Wildfires ravage parts of southern France, Italy and Spain
-
US announces civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia
-
Alphabet beats expectations in second quarter, cloud revenue nearly doubles
-
Tesla shares dip after profit misses expectations
-
Trump threatens Iran infrastructure, Tehran vows 'eye for eye'
-
Red Sox tie club record with 15th straight MLB win
-
US teen withdraws lawsuit against Meta over social media addiction
-
US eyes offshore nuclear reactors
-
Lebanon PM says Beirut working for 'complete Israeli withdrawal'
-
The Sterling Announces Luxury Cocktail Lounge Concept and Investor Showcase in Orlando
-
EU conditionally clears Paramount bid for Warner Bros.
-
Inter Miami signs Brazil veteran Casemiro but MLS probes deal
-
Philipsen snaps 'horrible' drought with Tour de France stage 17 victory
-
White House accuses China's Moonshot of stealing Anthropic AI
-
US trial of Venezuela's Maduro set for June 2027
-
Pogacar sweating on Yates's fitness ahead of Tour Queen stage
-
New UK PM Burnham gets early boost as inflation dips
-
Ukrainian soldiers and civilians welcome new army commander
-
Samsung launches new, more expensive foldable smartphones
-
UK fintech Revolut valuation soars to $115 bn: source
-
Philipsen ends 'horrible' drought with Tour de France 17th stage victory
Rubio to attend NATO talks, pay first visit to India
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet NATO counterparts following US threats to pull troops and also pay his first visit to India following a chilly patch between the countries, it was announced Tuesday.
The State Department confirmed that Rubio would participate on Friday in talks among NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden, which will prepare for a NATO summit in Turkey in July expected to be attended by President Donald Trump.
The top US diplomat "will discuss the need for increased defense investment and greater burden sharing in the Alliance," a State Department statement said.
Trump recently decided to withdraw 5,000 US troops from Germany despite the heightened European concerns over Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Trump has long said that the United States has been shouldering an unfair burden in the Cold War-era alliance but his decision came immediately after fury at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who made remarks critical of Trump's war with Israel against Iran.
Rubio will meet with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, the State Department said.
Rubio will then head to India, his first visit to the world's largest democracy since Trump returned to office nearly a year-and-a-half ago.
US presidents across partisan lines have courted India for decades, but Trump last year became upset with India and temporarily imposed punishing tariffs.
The rift came after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi refused to credit Trump with ending a short war a year ago between India and Pakistan triggered by a massacre of mostly Hindu civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Pakistan has assertively curried Trump's favor, saying he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize and more recently volunteering as a mediator in ending the Iran war.
Vice President JD Vance recently visited Pakistan for the Iran talks, and Trump last week was upbeat on a trip to China, previously seen as a cause of concern that united India and the United States.
Unusually for Rubio, who usually keeps a rapid pace, the State Department said he would visit four cities in India.
In addition to New Delhi, he will visit Agra, site of the world-famous Taj Mahal, as well as the palace-filled city of Jaipur and the eastern metropolis of Kolkata.
D.Schaer--VB