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Marco Rubio’s visit to India is considered very important amidst the increasing tension in the Middle East, China’s aggressive strategy and new geopolitical movements in the Indo-Pacific region. The US Secretary of State will be in India from 23 to 26 May, but the biggest discussion about his visit is that he started the tour from Kolkata instead of Delhi. After reaching Kolkata, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio first reached Mother Teresa House of Missionaries of Charity. After visiting there, he has left for Delhi. He will also meet PM Modi in Delhi.

In fact, Kolkata is not only a historical city of India, but is also considered to be the center of America’s oldest diplomatic presence. The American Consulate in Kolkata, one of the oldest American Consulates in the world, is still the main center of American interests in Eastern and North-Eastern India. In such a situation, this visit of Rubio is not only formal, but is considered to be to many big geopolitical messages.

Why did Marco Rubio start his India tour from Kolkata?

In fact, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio This visit to Kolkata is considered special for many reasons. After almost 14 years, an American Foreign Minister has reached the capital of West Bengal. Earlier in May 2012, the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had come to Kolkata and met the then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. After that, in July 2016, Thomas A. Shannon Jr., the then Under Secretary of the US State Department, also underlined the historical and strategic importance of this city during his visit to Kolkata. After the Kolkata tour, Rubio has left for Delhi.

This is the reason why this city is considered an important center of America’s East India strategy. Therefore, Rubio’s starting his journey from here is not being considered just a formality. This is the reason why Kolkata is considered a very important city from America’s diplomatic point of view.

America’s oldest Consulate in the world

The US Consulate in Kolkata is the first US Consulate in India and one of the oldest US Consulates in the world. On November 19, 1792, the then US President George Washington appointed Benjamin Joy as the first American Consulate in Kolkata. Although the British East India Company did not give them formal recognition, it is considered the early foundation of India-US relations.

From here America keeps an eye on 11 northeastern Indian states

The US Consulate in Kolkata monitors US interests not only in West Bengal but also in many states of Eastern and North-Eastern India including Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. That is, it is not just an embassy office, but a major center of American strategic presence between East India and South-East Asia. It means that Kolkata is not just a city but also the historical identity of American diplomacy.

Are West Asia crisis and energy security also a big reason?

Marco Rubio’s visit to India is taking place at a time when tensions are increasing in West Asia. Recently, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also came to India in connection with the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting. India’s role has become very important amid issues like tension between Iran and America, oil supply and maritime security. India is a country which is maintaining a balance with America, Iran and Gulf countries. In such a situation, America wants to further strengthen its strategic relations with India. Kolkata is considered the ‘Gateway to the East’, hence starting the journey from here is also being linked to the Indo-Pacific and energy security strategy.

Is a diplomatic message being given to China and Bangladesh also?

China’s increasing activism in the areas adjacent to India’s eastern border has been a matter of concern for America. Especially after the recent political changes in Bangladesh, the discussion about increasing influence of China has intensified. At such a time, the US Secretary of State’s arrival in Kolkata is being considered a strategic signal. The main focus of the Quad countries (India, America, Japan and Australia) is also to balance the growing power of China in the Indo-Pacific region. Therefore, it is believed that this visit of Rubio is not just a visit to India, but also a message of American strategic presence in the entire eastern region.

Is the changed politics of Bengal also of interest to America?

West Bengal has been the center of Leftism and then Mamata Banerjee’s politics for a long time. But in recent years, BJP has become increasingly strong here. In such a situation, some analysts are also believing that America wants to closely understand the changing political equations of Bengal. It has often been seen in American foreign policy that when there is a major political change in a region, direct dialogue and strategic contacts are increased there. Although it has not been officially accepted, many people are looking at starting the journey from Kolkata from this perspective also.

Which issues will be discussed the most in the QUAD meeting?

The meeting of Quad countries to be held in Delhi is considered to be the most important part of this tour. In this, the Foreign Ministers of America, Japan and Australia will participate along with the Foreign Minister of India S. Jaishankar. Maritime security of the Indo-Pacific region, trade routes, supply chains, critical minerals and China’s strategic activities will be the main issues in the meeting. In such a situation, Marco Rubio starting his tour of India from Kolkata is not only considered symbolic but is being considered a part of a larger geopolitical message.