Rubio promotes US trade ties with Central Asia in Uzbekistan, heads to India

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Uzbekistan on Monday to promote trade and ties with Central Asia, amid criticism that he is prioritizing politically safer visits over pressing foreign policy issues. The trip includes a stop in India later this week. In Samarkand, Rubio met with counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan under the C5+1 forum, emphasizing the U.S. desire to be a strong partner in the region. He led a delegation of nearly 300 American businesses, highlighting Central Asia's role in transnational commerce and investment opportunities. The visit follows a November White House summit where President Donald Trump announced over $130 billion in commercial deals with the region. The U.S. has sought to elevate ties with Central Asia due to its strategic location between Russia and China, while also encouraging Muslim-majority nations to join the Abraham Accords.