MEA Defends Mumbai Meeting With Rubio After Rahul Gandhi's 'Summons' Jibe

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) defended hosting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai, calling it an established practice, after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi mocked the arrangement as a "summons." The MEA cited past instances of hosting foreign dignitaries outside Delhi, including Spain's prime minister in Vadodara and Germany's chancellor in Ahmedabad. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to meet Rubio in Mumbai on October 20, following talks with the UAE's deputy prime minister. Rubio's visit from October 17-22 includes stops in Mumbai and Jamnagar to discuss strategic ties and energy cooperation. Congress had earlier questioned the MEA's silence on the meeting, with Jairam Ramesh criticizing the US ambassador for announcing Jaishankar's schedule.