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New Delhi: Saturday morning brought a new stir in the corridors of Indian diplomacy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reached India on his four-day official visit. Rubio's visit is considered extremely sensitive and strategic amid the unprecedented diplomatic and trade tensions that have arisen between the two countries since the middle of last year. This high-profile team from Washington, which has come with the intention of damage control and new alliance, is trying to write a new chapter in relations with India.

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First step in Kolkata instead of Delhi…what is the secret behind this?

This high-stakes diplomatic drama began, contrary to expectations, not from the country's capital Delhi, but from Kolkata, the cultural capital of West Bengal. Marco Rubio's plane landed in Kolkata at 7 am on Saturday morning, which surprised many diplomatic analysts.

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Historical Mystery: Actually, there is a deep historical context hidden behind this beginning. The first and second oldest Consulates of America are located in Kolkata, which were established in the year 1792. Rubio chose this historic land, which symbolizes America's earliest engagement with India, to deliver a diplomatic message. After attending an important event in Kolkata, he will head straight to New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Energy, defense and China… what is the real agenda?

While talking to the media in Miami (America) even before the formal start of this tour, Marco Rubio made a statement which has created a sensation in the global energy market. Rubio has clearly declared that the US is ready to give India "as much energy" as New Delhi wants to buy.

Amidst the ongoing Iran crisis and uncertainty in oil supplies from Gulf countries, America is presenting a big option to India on the basis of oil and gas production which has reached its record level. There are murmurs in diplomatic circles that Rubio may suggest a strategy for India to get oil from Venezuela as well, the direct objective of which is to reduce India's dependence on Russian crude oil.

The bitter truth behind the scenes: How did Trump's claims and visa fees spoil the game?

To understand the agenda of Rubio's visit, one has to look at the tension of the last few months which had created bitterness between the two countries. Last year, when President Donald Trump imposed punitive tariffs on India, trade relations were derailed.

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The matter was not limited to just business; Trump has repeatedly claimed publicly that he defused the India-Pakistan military clashes last May and saved millions of lives. New Delhi had taken a strong stand, rejecting the claim outright that it was entirely the result of bilateral talks and the US had no role in it. After this, Washington's new immigration policy and increase in H1B visa fee added fuel to the burning fire.

Agra, Jaipur and then the grand stage of 'Quad': What will be decided the final roadmap to encircle Beijing?

The schedule of this four-day tour has been prepared like a suspense thriller. After meeting PM Modi on Saturday, on Sunday Rubio met Indian Foreign Minister S. Will hold closed-door bilateral talks with Jaishankar and attend the Independence Day celebrations (to commemorate the 250th anniversary) of the US Embassy. After this, on Monday he will be on a strategic tour of Agra and Jaipur.

World's eyes on QUAD meeting

The real geopolitical chessboard will be laid on Tuesday, when Rubio returns to Delhi to attend the much-awaited Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting on Tuesday. The meeting, to be held with representatives of Japan and Australia, will finalize a unified strategic roadmap to counter Indo-Pacific regional security, piracy and China's growing economic-military influence. After India diversified its portfolio by signing new trade agreements with Europe and New Zealand, it now remains to be seen whether the US can completely pull India into its fold again.