U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Uzbekistan promoting trade and ties with Central Asia. His trip, which includes a visit to India later this week, aims to boost U.S. economic and security ties in the region. It comes amid rumblings that America’s top diplomat is ignoring pressing matters in favor of politically safer visits, criticism he has brushed off. Speaking in Samarkand, Rubio said the U.S. "wants to be a strong partner in Central Asia." Rubio said his visit includes a delegation of nearly 300 American business represenatives, highlighting the region's potential for trade and investment.