Rubio to hold talks with Reliance on importing more crude from Venezuela

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 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that the US would hold talks with Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on more crude imports from Venezuela for processing at the company’s refinery in Jamnagar. 

The issue assumes importance as the US has taken over the oilfields in Venezuela, which produce heavy crude that cannot be processed at most refineries. The Reliance refinery on the Gujarat coast has the technological configuration to process this heavy crude.

Rubio started his three-day visit to India after landing in Mumbai and met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Gateway of India.

His discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Mumbai covered trade negotiations, energy cooperation, technology partnerships, critical minerals, and policy issues related to Russian and Venezuelan crude imports.

India and the US are expected to move ahead in cooperation in trade, energy, investment, defence, and critical technologies.

This is Rubio's second visit to India in 2026. He has recently stated that a comprehensive trade deal between the two nations is ⁠almost complete, raising the possibility that it could be signed during his visit.

President Donald Trump had last week waived potential tariffs that were initially aimed as a punitive measure against India for purchasing Russian crude oil.

Trump has passed an executive order waiving the 100 per cent tariff on the top five importers of Russian oil, which would have included India as it is the second largest purchaser after China.

Rubio has said the effort to finalise a trade deal was a factor in the decision to waive those tariffs.

The US Secretary of State had defended India last week and referred to the country as an important ally.

Rubio said: "You've got countries like India, for example, that have voluntarily diversified their energy portfolio, but are still getting a substantial amount of energy from Russia because it's hard to pivot from one day to the next."

“But they're also an important ally and partner of the United States," he remarked.

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