US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Holds Meetings in Central Asia
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on October 18, 2026, to discuss strategic relations and regional cooperation.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio paid an official visit to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on the night of Sunday, October 18, 2026, to meet with officials from the C5+1 group and strengthen strategic ties with countries in the region.
Welcomed by Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, Rubio is accompanied by a large delegation consisting of more than 200 business people. The main agenda items of the visit include increasing trade volume, access to rare earth minerals, and potential expansion opportunities for the Abraham Accords.
Rubio, who is planned to travel to India following his Central Asian tour, is expected to meet with prominent business figures such as Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani. The diplomatic contacts, which are scheduled to conclude on Thursday, are considered part of the US goal to deepen its long-term strategic partnerships in the region.