
Rubio’s Samarkand Summit and India Refinery Visit Highlight Economic Focus
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to lead the C5+1 ministerial meeting with five Central Asian nations, accompanied by over 200 business leaders. The visit prioritizes trade, critical minerals, and security cooperation, following a $25 billion in commercial commitments announced at the 2025 summit. Rubio will subsequently travel to India, skipping New Delhi to visit Mumbai and the Jamnagar oil refinery, a move that has sparked diplomatic controversy in India.

