India and the U.S. moved to expand energy and defence cooperation on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) despite ongoing friction in their relations, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged New Delhi to scale up energy trade and increase purchases of American technologies and systems.
The Secretary of State is scheduled to visit Reliance Industries Ltd.-owned Jamnagar Refinery on Wednesday (October 21, 2026). Rubio visited the Taj memorial and laid a wreath in honour of the victims of the horrific 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that included six American citizens.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said both sides welcomed the progress made in negotiations on the India-U.S. Rubio described India as a crude oil refining “superpower” and advocated for processing more Venezuelan crude in India. Rubio, answering a question on the trade pact during a brief media interaction ahead of the meeting, said that “a small number of items are left to be wrapped up” and hoped it will be sealed “shortly”. And perhaps the leaders can sign it thereafter,” he said. Jaishankar said on social media that he and Mr. State Department said the Secretary and the External Affairs Minister discussed regional and global issues, including developments in West Asia. “The Secretary reiterated that increased energy trade with the United States can play a transformative role in diversifying India’s supply chains while meeting its sizeable consumer demand,” it said. “He also commended recent progress in bilateral defence and civil nuclear cooperation, and advocated for the increased purchase of U.S. technologies and systems, which can enhance the security and prosperity of both our countries,” the State Department added. In a late evening statement, the MEA said the two sides reviewed the entire gamut of India-U.S. relations and discussed ways to further strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments,” it said. The MEA said Mr. “In Mumbai, Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar and I discussed energy security and defence cooperation while reaffirming the importance of advancing the U.S.-India strategic partnership,” Mr. Rubio said on X. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said Mr. Jaishankar had “productive discussions” on deepening U.S.-India cooperation across defence, energy, emerging technologies, and trade, as “we continue to build the unrivalled momentum in our bilateral partnership. Obviously, it’s not easy to do that from one day to the next day,” he said. But in the end, it’s not just about Russian oil; it’s about their desire to diversify, and obviously we think we can be a source of some of their energy inputs,” he said. “Obviously, we’ve discussed Venezuela and other countries, and I think it’s in our interest to have a strong ally with a diverse energy portfolio,” he added. Rubio said, pointing out that certain Indian companies have “pre-existing oil concessions in Venezuela”.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hosted Mr. Rubio for wide-ranging talks shortly after the top diplomat arrived in Mumbai for his second visit to India in under five months, even as bilateral ties remain strained over Washington’s unpredictable trade policies and tightening immigration rules. Bilateral Trade Agreement and reaffirmed their commitment to working towards its early conclusion. Ahead of his meeting with Mr. Jaishankar, Mr. Mr. “I would say we’re about as close as you can be without having an executed agreement. I think there’s a small number of items left to wrap up. So I think that will happen shortly — we’re hoping, which it should — and hopefully have some good news to announce fairly soon. Following the meeting, Mr. Rubio “shared views on further advancement of our ties, focusing on trade, energy, technology, defence and people-to-people ties. The U.S. “Both sides had a detailed exchange of views on a wide range of areas, including trade, defence, technology and energy security. Rubio’s visit reflected the sustained momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries, underscoring the importance both sides attach to further advancing the India-U.S. ties for the 21st century. Before his talks with Mr. U.S. Rubio and Mr. The envoy was also present at the meeting. In his brief media interaction, Mr. “I think what India has expressed repeatedly is its desire to diversify its energy portfolio, which is a smart thing to do. “I think they’ve made substantial progress in that regard, and we’re happy to see that. Secretary of State also hailed India’s oil refining capabilities. “India is a refining superpower. They have the ability to do that, and they have companies that know how to do that,” Mr.
Rubio also responded to a question on whether the U.S. administration was upset with New Delhi over the amount of Russian oil it procured last year and its efforts to reduce the volume.
The top diplomat also answered a question on his trip to Reliance Industries Ltd.’s refinery in Jamnagar on Wednesday (October 20, 2026). Jaishankar, addressing a reception celebrating 250 Years of American Independence, said Indian talent and Indian skills have helped “shape the tech era in the U.S. India-U.S. relations witnessed a major downturn after Washington imposed punitive tariffs on India last year and President Trump made assertions regarding his role in de-escalating the India-Pakistan military clashes of May 2025 that drew sharp reaction from Indian officials.
“I’m not claiming to you that Venezuela alone can fill the hole that could be caused by some of the things that are happening around the world, but I think over time, it most certainly can, and in the short term, it can certainly provide the means,” he said. It makes all the sense in the world to talk to them about it,” he said. Rubio said several geopolitical developments — including the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi attacks on energy pipelines in Saudi Arabia — impacted energy supplies, causing several countries to grapple with a diesel shortage. “We must continue our strong partnership in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a social media post. “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,” Mr. Rubio said. “We remember those lost, honour the courage of those who responded, and reaffirm the enduring U.S.-India partnership and our shared commitment to combating terrorism,” he added. But in the last few decades, our partnership has steadily expanded, acquiring new dimensions and new facets,” he said. In such an era, expanding our convergence is key to deepening our ties,” he said, adding, “There are new opportunities in our partnership, in trade, investment, technology and energy, and these await us. Earlier reporting noted: During a media interaction, Rubio described India as an important commercial and business partner of the US, a key member of the Quad and a strong strategic partner, and noted there is a “lot of defence cooperation” between the two sides. He also said the two sides are “very, very close” to finalising a bilateral trade deal. Earlier reporting noted: Rubio told the media that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Houthi attacks on energy pipelines in Saudi Arabia and attacks on refining facilities as part of the Russia-Ukraine conflict have impacted energy supplies, causing several countries to grapple with a diesel shortage.
He also announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release hundreds of thousands of tonnes of Russian diesel onto the world market. Days before Rubio’s arrival in India, President Donald Trump waived sweeping new sanctions under the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act and announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release hundreds of thousands of tonnes of Russian diesel onto the world market. “So, that’s one of the things we’ll talk about. With India, we’ve talked about it in the past, and they sound ready. They’re ready to do it, they’re willing to do it,” he noted. “Energy is related to national security. Countries fight wars over energy; economies collapse over lack of energy. We’re going to go see a company that has a tremendous amount of refining capability. During the media interaction, Mr. Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump suspended certain sanctions against Russia and five of the biggest buyers of Russian oil, including India. Mr. “Of course, we’ve had our share of issues, including the manner in which we approach the world and its challenges. Mr. Jaishankar also underlined the importance of deeper India-U.S. ties when the world order is “clearly in transition and countries are responding accordingly. “Each one of us will naturally pursue our national interest. We have a shared stake in strengthening peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Washington’s new immigration policy and its decision to increase H1B visa fees also contributed to the slide in India-U.S. ties. The ties came under fresh strain after the U.S. decided to restrict a key green-card processing programme for major global and Indian IT firms, including Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro.
Earlier reporting noted: Jaishankar and Rubio, who travelled to India for the second time in less than five months with a large business delegation, met in the country’s financial hub against the backdrop of persisting strains in bilateral ties over a range of issues, including the Trump administration’s unpredictable trade policies, enhanced immigration restrictions affecting Indian professionals and the US’s growing proximity to Pakistan’s military leadership.
