U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata on Saturday to receive blessings at Mother Teresa's tomb [1, 2].
The visit occurs during Rubio's maiden trip to India, signaling a blend of personal diplomacy and high-level strategic engagement between the two nations. This stop in West Bengal precedes official talks in New Delhi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Rubio was accompanied by his wife, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio, and U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor [1, 2]. The Secretary of State's itinerary in India spans four days, running from May 23 to May 26, 2024 [1].
While the broader purpose of the trip focuses on trade, investment, and defense, the stop in Kolkata was a personal request. Sister Concettina, the Secretary General of the Missionaries of Charity, said, "It was Rubio's own initiative to visit and receive blessings at Mother Teresa's tomb" [2].
The Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, continues to operate from the Mother House in Kolkata. The visit by the top U.S. diplomat highlights the global legacy of the organization's work with the poor, and sick.
Following the visit to the Mother House, Rubio is scheduled to depart for New Delhi. There, he will engage in discussions aimed at strengthening the India-U.S. strategic partnership [1, 2].
“It was Rubio's own initiative to visit and receive blessings at Mother Teresa's tomb.”
By incorporating a visit to a globally recognized humanitarian site into a strategic diplomatic mission, the U.S. Secretary of State is utilizing 'soft power' to build rapport. This gesture complements the 'hard power' objectives of the trip—specifically defense and trade—by acknowledging India's cultural and spiritual landmarks, which can facilitate smoother bilateral relations during high-stakes negotiations with the Indian government.
