Mumbai: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio paid tribute to the victims of the November 26, 2008, Mumbai terror attacks during his visit to the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel on Tuesday. The visit highlighted the shared commitment of India and the United States to combating terrorism.

Rubio laid a wreath at the 26/11 memorial located within the hotel premises, honouring the victims of the devastating attacks that claimed 166 lives, including six American citizens.

During the visit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar introduced key members of the hotel staff to the visiting US dignitary. Rubio also met Sunil Kudyadi, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel’s security chief, who shared a first-hand account of the terror attacks, including details about the duration of the siege.

In a post on X, Rubio said he had laid a wreath in honour of those killed in the November 26, 2008, attacks. He remembered the victims, acknowledged the courage of those who responded to the tragedy, and reaffirmed the enduring partnership between the United States and India.

The 26/11 attacks, carried out by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, targeted multiple locations across Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. The coordinated assault left 166 people dead and hundreds injured.

US-India Talks Focus on Energy, Technology and Defence

Following the memorial visit, Rubio held bilateral discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. According to statements released by the US State Department, the discussions included expanding energy trade and increasing purchases of American technology and defence systems.

Rubio’s visit to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel served as a solemn reminder of the human cost of terrorism and underscored the importance of continued cooperation between India and the United States on counterterrorism.

The visit also paid tribute to the hotel staff and security personnel whose courage and response became an important part of the story of the 26/11 attacks.