Mumbai, October 20 — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday introduced US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Sunil Gajanan Kudyadi, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel's head of security who was on duty inside the hotel during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks of November 2008, ANI reported. The introduction took place at the wreath-laying ceremony at the hotel's 26/11 memorial, where Rubio paid tribute to the victims of the attacks.

"This was the man who was in charge of security at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai when it came under terrorist attack in 2008," Jaishankar said while introducing Kudyadi, The Daily Jagran reported. Kudyadi, who is now the hotel's Associate Vice President for Security and Safety, briefed Rubio on the attack, according to ANI (source: MEA).

Kudyadi told Rubio that the terrorists remained inside the hotel for more than 60 hours and killed several guests who had taken refuge in the kitchen, The Daily Jagran reported. During the 2008 siege, Kudyadi's familiarity with the hotel's layout helped police officers navigate the complex as they confronted the gunmen and rescued guests trapped inside, the report said.

Rubio posted on X: "At the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, I laid a wreath honouring the victims of the horrific November 26, 2008 terrorist attacks, including six American citizens. We remember those lost, honour the courage of those who responded, and reaffirm the enduring US-India partnership and our shared commitment to combating terrorism." The 2008 Mumbai attacks killed 166 people, including six American nationals, IANS reported.

Sources: ANI; The Hindu BusinessLine; The Daily Jagran; US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on X; IANS.