US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Jaipur on Monday afternoon, where he visited the historic Amer Fort along with his wife Jeanette Rubio and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. This came shortly after his earlier visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra. Rubio, accompanied by his wife and an American delegation, is currently in the “Pink City.” Earlier in the day, he toured the Taj Mahal with his wife, describing it as one of the world’s great treasures. The couple spent about an hour and a half at the monument and signed the visitors’ book with a message thanking India for the opportunity to visit “one of the true treasures of the world.” US Ambassador Sergio Gor also shared impressions of the Taj Mahal, calling it a breathtaking example of India’s rich heritage and craftsmanship.

The Taj Mahal has previously hosted several global leaders, including US Vice President JD Vance, who visited with his family last year, and former US President Donald Trump, who toured the monument with First Lady Melania Trump during his presidency. Trump had praised it as a symbol of India’s cultural richness and beauty.

Rubio’s visit to Jaipur is part of a four-day trip to India. He is expected to take part in the Quad Summit on Tuesday. His tour began in Kolkata at the Missionaries of Charity, followed by meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delegation-level talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and discussions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

India is preparing to host a high-level Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi on May 26, focusing on Indo-Pacific security and growing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue—comprising India, the United States, Australia, and Japan—will be chaired by External Affairs Minister Jaishankar.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Marco Rubio arrived in New Delhi on Saturday after completing his visit to Kolkata earlier in the day. Accompanied by his wife Jeanette D. Rubio, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, and US Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel, Rubio is scheduled to meet Narendra Modi and attend the dedication ceremony of the new US Embassy Support Annex Building.

During his Kolkata visit, Rubio paid tribute to Mother Teresa at the Missionaries of Charity. Sharing his thoughts on X, he praised Mother Teresa’s enduring legacy of compassion and service, adding that he was honored to witness the continuing humanitarian work carried out by the organization.

US Ambassador Sergio Gor also posted updates from the delegation’s journey to Delhi, sharing a photo from the flight featuring Rubio, Jeanette D. Rubio, Robert Gabriel, and himself. He further confirmed that Robert Gabriel was part of the visiting delegation. Rubio’s Kolkata stop marked the first visit by a senior American diplomat to the city in 14 years and served as the opening leg of his four-day India tour from May 23 to 26. During the visit, he is expected to travel to cities including Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi.

The discussions between Indian and US officials are expected to focus on trade, advanced technology, energy security, defence cooperation, and collaboration under the QUAD framework. The visit comes ahead of the upcoming QUAD foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled in New Delhi on May 26 and highlights the growing strategic partnership between India and the United States.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir is expected to visit Tehran on Thursday as peace negotiations continue, according to reports from the Iranian news agency ISNA. The agency stated that Munir is likely to arrive as part of ongoing consultations with Iranian officials linked to mediation efforts between Tehran and Washington.

Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran for the second time this week, where he met Iranian officials including the Interior Minister and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Discussions reportedly covered recent regional developments, indirect Iran–US talks, and efforts to advance diplomatic engagement. ISNA also noted that during Naqvi’s meeting, President Pezeshkian reviewed the latest status of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, along with ongoing diplomatic exchanges and agreement-building efforts.

These developments come amid continued pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has warned Iran to seriously consider reaching a peace agreement as diplomatic activity intensifies in West Asia. Earlier, Iranian state media outlet Nour News quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei as saying that US proposals have been received and are under review.

Iran has indicated that the American proposal was delivered through Pakistani intermediaries, with Islamabad reportedly facilitating message exchanges between Tehran and Washington. Iranian officials also said several rounds of communication have taken place based on Iran’s proposed framework.

US President Trump has issued a strong warning, saying Iran must provide satisfactory responses or face rapid consequences. Separately, White House adviser Stephen Miller also warned that Iran must accept US terms or risk severe military repercussions, describing the situation as critical. As tensions remain high, West Asia stands at a delicate point, with diplomatic efforts continuing alongside the risk of further escalation.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ISPR.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday met South Korea’s Minister of Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Lee Yong-Cheol, during his official visit aimed at strengthening defence ties between the two countries. The visit is part of Singh’s broader engagement in South Korea to deepen bilateral defence cooperation. Earlier, he held talks with South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul, where both sides agreed to expand collaboration in defence, cybersecurity, and strategic areas under their growing special strategic partnership.

In a post on X, Singh described the meeting as “excellent,” noting that discussions focused on enhancing defence industry cooperation and advancing technological collaboration between India and South Korea. He said both countries reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace, stability, and stronger technological ties.

According to Singh, the meetings also led to the exchange of several agreements designed to boost institutional cooperation in defence and security. These include initiatives to promote cyber defence collaboration between India’s National Defence College and the Korea National Defence University, along with cooperation in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

He added that the agreements would further strengthen the partnership by making it more comprehensive and multidimensional, particularly in the areas of cyber security and defence training. In a key development, India and South Korea also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand cooperation in defence, cyber security, and defence information sharing. The MoU was signed in Seoul during Singh’s visit, in the presence of South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back.

The agreement focuses on addressing emerging cyber threats, protecting critical military infrastructure, and improving information sharing mechanisms to enhance situational awareness and regional security. Singh arrived in Seoul on Tuesday after visiting Vietnam. He was received by India’s Ambassador to South Korea, Gourangalal Das, along with senior officials.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

In “Destination Anywhere,” Melanie Oliveiro interviews Julian Artopé, the founder and CEO of Zenyum, a company specializing in invisible braces and dental care products. He shares insights from his travels, beginning with Germany, his home country, and highlights Lake Ammersee near Munich as a must-visit destination. He then discusses his journey to Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island, where he experienced distinctive shrimp ramen and relaxed in a traditional onsen village.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

The 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit and associated meetings in Cebu, scheduled from May 6 to 8, will bring together heads of state and senior officials from all ten ASEAN countries as well as Timor-Leste. The gathering takes place at a critical moment for the region, amid concerns that the Middle East conflict could disrupt global oil supplies, driving up fuel prices and increasing inflationary pressure on ASEAN economies. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the summit’s key issues in detail with Susannah Patton, a Non-Resident Fellow at the Lowy Institute.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Justin McCurry reports on Japan’s prime minister known for her interest in heavy metal music and her proposal to revise the nation’s pacifist constitution. His coverage highlights political and cultural dimensions of her leadership and the broader debate over Japan’s defense policies and constitutional reform efforts in modern times and its implications for regional security and international relations today globally.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

In “Destination Anywhere,” Melanie Oliveiro interviews travel content creator Chelsea Yap, who shares insights from her solo trip to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. Yap reflects on her six-day yoga and meditation experience at the Suan Sati Retreat and discusses the effectiveness of its sustainability initiatives. She also highlights her other travel experiences, which she documents through snapshots on Instagram and TikTok under the handle @offbeatsingaporean.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.