US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India on Tuesday for a two day visit centred on a nearly completed trade agreement, energy security and closer defence ties.
Rubio began his trip in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, where he was welcomed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The two officials discussed ways to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, technology, defence and people to people contacts, reported by Arab News.
“We shared views on further advancement of our ties, focusing on trade, energy, technology, defense and people-to-people ties,” Jaishankar said after their meeting.
The visit follows a significant shift in trade relations. Days earlier, US President Donald Trump waived possible tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian oil, as Washington works to conclude a bilateral trade agreement.
Rubio told reporters in Mumbai that the two countries were “very close” to finalising the deal. “I would say we’re about as close as you can be without having executed the agreement,” he said, adding that only a small number of issues remained.
Energy is expected to dominate the agenda. On Wednesday, Rubio is scheduled to visit Reliance Industries’ vast crude oil refining complex in Jamnagar, described as the world’s largest such facility. The plant belongs to Mukesh Ambani, one of India’s wealthiest businessmen.
Rubio suggested that India’s refining capacity could play a role in processing Venezuelan oil, following Washington’s removal of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in January. He said India’s efforts to diversify its energy supplies were “a smart thing to do.”
“It is in our interest to have strong allies with diverse energy portfolios,” Rubio said.
This is Rubio’s second visit to India this year. Analysts view the trip as part of a wider American push to strengthen economic ties across Asia before next month’s US midterm elections, with rising food and fuel prices weighing on voters.
“India is a refining superpower,” Rubio said, underlining the country’s growing importance in America’s energy and trade strategy.
