{"id":38320,"date":"2026-10-19T11:58:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T08:58:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=38320"},"modified":"2026-10-19T12:06:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T09:06:38","slug":"us-secretary-of-state-rubio-seeks-to-advance-trade-and-security-ties-during-central-asia-and-india-visits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/us-secretary-of-state-rubio-seeks-to-advance-trade-and-security-ties-during-central-asia-and-india-visits\/","title":{"rendered":"US Secretary of State Rubio seeks to advance trade and security ties during Central Asia and India visits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>10 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on October 18, 2026, for meetings with foreign ministers from five Central Asian countries.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following his meetings in Uzbekistan, he is due to travel to India for talks on trade, energy, and security cooperation as part of an October 17\u201322 tour aimed at strengthening U.S. economic and strategic ties across Central and South Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Uzbekistan, Rubio held bilateral talks with officials from the five Central Asian countries and met with business leaders. His upcoming visit to India is expected to include meetings in Mumbai and a stop in Jamnagar, with discussions expected to focus on bilateral relations, investment, and energy cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More than 200 American business executives are accompanying Rubio, highlighting the commercial importance of the tour as Washington seeks to expand economic ties, diversify critical mineral supply chains, and strengthen security cooperation with regional partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rubio&#8217;s planned meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Mumbai rather than New Delhi has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, who have questioned the arrangements and their diplomatic implications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br>Focus on Trade and Critical Minerals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The C5+1 meeting in Samarkand brought together the United States and the five Central Asian republics, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, to discuss economic and security cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following the meetings, Rubio said the countries were working to expand commercial opportunities, strengthen their economies and improve regional security. He highlighted critical minerals, energy, transportation and technology as priority areas, saying cooperation in these sectors could create jobs, support economic growth and enhance security across the region.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-video\" data-media-max-width=\"800\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">NEW!!   Rubio tells Central Asian nations they are \u201cunique, sovereign, independent states\u201d as he addresses the C5+1 ministerial in Samarkand, pledging deeper U.S. ties on critical minerals, energy, trade and technology \ud83d\udc47 https:\/\/t.co\/bMOIn7Exxs<\/p>&mdash; Alex Raufoglu (@ralexdc) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ralexdc\/status\/2112090373522907462?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 19, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Established in 2015, the C5+1 framework has developed from a foreign ministers\u2019 dialogue into a broader diplomatic partnership that includes presidential-level meetings. In November 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted the leaders of the five Central Asian countries in Washington, with discussions focusing on economic cooperation and access to the region\u2019s natural resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More than $25 billion in commercial agreements and commitments were announced during the 2025 summit, covering sectors such as aviation, agricultural equipment, railway infrastructure and mineral development. The commitments were at different stages of development and did not represent completed investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The region is strategically important to Washington because of its substantial reserves of oil, natural gas, uranium and other minerals used in manufacturing and advanced technologies. Closer partnerships could help the United States diversify supply chains while creating opportunities for American companies in energy, mining, transport and technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are among Washington\u2019s main economic partners in the region. U.S. government figures put bilateral trade in goods and services at $7.1 billion with Kazakhstan and $1.7 billion with Uzbekistan in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The American delegation included representatives of major companies such as Boeing, Citibank and Franklin Templeton. U.S. development finance and export credit institutions were also expected to participate in business discussions, with the aim of identifying commercial opportunities and supporting investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a separate meeting with Kazakhstan\u2019s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Rubio reaffirmed Washington\u2019s commitment to expanding bilateral economic and security cooperation. He also thanked Kazakhstan for its support of President Donald Trump\u2019s peace initiatives, including the Abraham Accords. In his meeting with Uzbekistan\u2019s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, Rubio discussed deepening the U.S.\u2013Uzbekistan strategic partnership, including cooperation in infrastructure, space and critical minerals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Closer economic ties with Washington could help Central Asian countries diversify investment and technology partnerships while maintaining their established relationships with Russia and China. The meetings underscored Washington\u2019s interest in expanding commercial engagement across the region while strengthening security cooperation through the C5+1 framework.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">In Uzbekistan to take part in the C5+1 Ministerial and lead a historic delegation of over 200 business leaders. \n\nThis diplomatic platform promotes regional connectivity, transformative commercial diplomacy initiatives, and a more peaceful and prosperous future for the United States and our Central Asian partners.<\/p>&mdash; Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SecRubio\/status\/2111903690000867386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 18, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>The European Union is pursuing similar objectives. At the first EU-Central Asia summit in Samarkand in April 2025, the EU announced a \u20ac12 billion (approximately $13.2 billion) Global Gateway investment package covering transport connectivity, critical raw materials, energy, water and digital connectivity. The parallel efforts by Washington and Brussels reflect growing international interest in the region&#8217;s resources and strategic position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br>Uzbekistan Seeks Deeper Ties<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rubio met with Uzbekistan\u2019s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov to discuss deepening the U.S.-Uzbekistan strategic partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The discussions covered cooperation in infrastructure, space and critical minerals, as well as engagement through the C5+1 diplomatic platform. Rubio said the two countries were working to promote economic prosperity in Uzbekistan and the wider region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor on October 16 to discuss preparations for Rubio\u2019s visit, the C5+1 meeting and the second session of the Uzbekistan-U.S. Business and Investment Council. Co-chaired by Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of Uzbekistan\u2019s Presidential Administration, and Gor, the council was established to promote investment, commercial partnerships and joint projects between the two countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Security cooperation, including counterterrorism, remains an important part of Washington\u2019s engagement with Central Asian governments, alongside efforts to address regional stability and competing international interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before departing Washington on Saturday, Rubio defended the decision to prioritize meetings with Central Asian leaders despite other international crises demanding American attention.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Uzbekistan-foreign-ministers-meeting.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"727\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Uzbekistan-foreign-ministers-meeting.jpg?resize=1016%2C727&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov\" class=\"wp-image-38335\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Uzbekistan-foreign-ministers-meeting.jpg?resize=1024%2C733&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Uzbekistan-foreign-ministers-meeting.jpg?resize=300%2C215&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Uzbekistan-foreign-ministers-meeting.jpg?resize=768%2C550&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Uzbekistan-foreign-ministers-meeting.jpg?resize=1536%2C1099&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Uzbekistan-foreign-ministers-meeting.jpg?resize=234%2C169&amp;ssl=1 234w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Uzbekistan-foreign-ministers-meeting.jpg?resize=307%2C219&amp;ssl=1 307w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Uzbekistan-foreign-ministers-meeting.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov deepen cooperation in infrastructure, space, critical minerals and through the C5+1 diplomatic platform, on October 19, 2026. (Image Credit: X\/@SecRubio)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rubio said the schedule had been arranged to accommodate all five Central Asian foreign ministers and argued that U.S. diplomacy should maintain long-term relationships with partner countries rather than focus exclusively on immediate crises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br>Trip to India for Talks on Trade and Energy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rubio&#8217;s India itinerary includes meetings in Mumbai and a visit to Jamnagar in Gujarat, combining diplomatic discussions with engagement on energy and commercial cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rubio is expected to meet Jaishankar in Mumbai on October 20 to discuss bilateral relations, trade, investment, defense, critical and emerging technologies, and regional and global developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The visit is Rubio&#8217;s second to India this year, following his trip to New Delhi in May for a meeting of foreign ministers from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which includes the United States, India, Japan and Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the decision to hold the meeting in Mumbai rather than New Delhi has triggered criticism from Indian opposition leaders. U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi last week that Washington expected Jaishankar and other Indian officials to travel to Mumbai to meet Rubio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The remarks prompted questions about the arrangements and India&#8217;s diplomatic standing. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in India&#8217;s lower house of parliament, said Rubio had \u201csummoned his employee to Mumbai.\u201d Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh described the ambassador&#8217;s statement as \u201cquite extraordinary,\u201d while Congress MP Pawan Khera criticised the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the arrangement.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Rubio-C51-meeting.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Rubio-C51-meeting.jpg?resize=1016%2C678&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed five Central Asian government leaders\" class=\"wp-image-38321\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Rubio-C51-meeting.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Rubio-C51-meeting.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Rubio-C51-meeting.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Rubio-C51-meeting.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Rubio-C51-meeting.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed five Central Asian government leaders in D.C. for the C5+1 Tenth Anniversary Business Conference. (Image Credit: X\/@SecRubio)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">India&#8217;s Ministry of External Affairs subsequently confirmed that Jaishankar would meet Rubio in Mumbai. The ministry said the meeting would provide an opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen the two countries&#8217; comprehensive global strategic partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The controversy comes at a time when bilateral relations face disagreements over trade tariffs, India&#8217;s purchases of Russian oil, and broader regional security issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br>Jamnagar Visit Highlights Energy and Investment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the Mumbai talks, Rubio is scheduled to visit Reliance Industries&#8217; refinery complex in Jamnagar, one of the world&#8217;s largest refining facilities at a single site. He is also expected to attend a reception hosted by the Ambani family and meet business leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The visit highlights the role of energy trade in U.S.-India relations. Reliance is a major player in the global refining market and has commercial interests in Venezuelan crude oil, a sector in which the Trump administration has sought to expand international sales following the January 2026 capture of Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro by U.S. forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reliance is linked to a proposed refinery project at the port of Brownsville, Texas, announced by Trump in March. The facility, designed to process around 168,000 barrels of oil per day, is estimated to cost about $6.7 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The project developer said the refinery would offset $300 billion in the U.S. trade deficit with India; that figure refers to the claimed trade impact, not the refinery&#8217;s construction cost. Reliance has signed a 20-year agreement to purchase the refinery&#8217;s products, although the project remains subject to development and construction.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/US-Rubio-India-Jaishankar.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/US-Rubio-India-Jaishankar.jpg?resize=1016%2C678&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar\" class=\"wp-image-35976\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/US-Rubio-India-Jaishankar.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/US-Rubio-India-Jaishankar.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/US-Rubio-India-Jaishankar.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/US-Rubio-India-Jaishankar.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/US-Rubio-India-Jaishankar.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, India, on May 24, 2026. (Image Credit: X@DrSJaishankar)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The visit comes as Washington seeks to manage fuel prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Expanding energy supplies, encouraging investment and strengthening commercial relationships have therefore taken on added importance for the administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trade, however, remains a major point of friction. In August 2025, the United States imposed additional tariffs on Indian goods, bringing the reported rate on many products to as high as 50 percent amid a dispute that included India&#8217;s purchases of Russian oil. A U.S.-India interim trade framework announced in February 2026 specified an 18 percent U.S. reciprocal tariff rate for covered Indian-origin goods, while negotiations towards a broader bilateral trade agreement continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said this month that the talks had \u201cplateaued,\u201d while Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said the first stage of an agreement was nearing completion. Goyal also stressed that India would not sign a deal unless its exporters received competitive treatment compared with rivals such as Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">India&#8217;s continued purchases of Russian oil have added to the strain. Washington had threatened additional trade penalties against major buyers of Russian energy, raising concerns in New Delhi about the impact on bilateral relations. On October 16, Trump issued an executive order waiving specified duties and sanctions under the Graham Act, amid concerns about energy prices and global oil supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite these disagreements, U.S.-India trade in goods and services reached an estimated $239.6 billion in 2025, an increase of 12.1 percent from the previous year, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Great to meet with each of the C5 foreign ministers. \n\nTogether, we are creating commercial opportunities, strengthening economies, and increasing regional security. \n \nIn every priority sector\u2014from critical minerals and energy to transportation and technology\u2014our cooperation means more jobs, more prosperity, and greater security for all our nations.<\/p>&mdash; Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SecRubio\/status\/2112089327668691454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 19, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>A Wider Strategy Across Central and South Asia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rubio&#8217;s tour brings together Washington&#8217;s efforts to expand commercial and security cooperation in Central Asia with its broader strategic relationship with India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Central Asia, critical minerals, energy and transport infrastructure are central to the economic agenda, while discussions with India come amid continuing disagreements over tariffs and Russian oil purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The outcomes will depend on whether the meetings produce concrete agreements, advance existing commercial projects or help resolve outstanding differences. The tour provides an opportunity to deepen engagement across both regions, although its longer-term impact will depend on follow-through by the governments and businesses involved.<br><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met foreign ministers from five Central Asian countries in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. He is scheduled to travel to India afterward for talks on trade, energy, and security cooperation as part of an October 17-22 tour aimed at strengthening U.S. economic and strategic ties across Central and South Asia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38334,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[124,1,125],"tags":[181,208,134,152,70,273,274,963,21,71,113,533,182,296,479,7,275],"class_list":["post-38320","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia-pacific","category-news","category-united-states","tag-central-asia","tag-diplomacy","tag-economy","tag-energy","tag-india","tag-kazakhstan","tag-kyrgyzstan","tag-minerals","tag-oil","tag-politics","tag-security","tag-south-asia","tag-tajikistan","tag-trade","tag-turkmenistan","tag-u-s","tag-uzbekistan"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-9Y4","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/US-Rubio-in-Uzbekistan.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38320","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38320"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38320\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38341,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38320\/revisions\/38341"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}