The US and India are “very, very close” to finalising a bilateral trade deal, with only “a small number of items left to wrap up”, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Tuesday, as he used a meeting with external affairs minister S Jaishankar to urge New Delhi to increase energy trade and step up purchases of American technologies and systems.
And perhaps the leaders can sign it thereafter,” Rubio told the media. “I truly believe the relationship between the United States and India is defining in many ways, in a positive way, what the 21st century can look like,” he said. After the meeting with Rubio, Jaishankar said on social media that they discussed ways to further advance “our ties, focusing on trade, energy, technology, defence and people-to-people ties”, and exchanged views on regional developments. Rubio said in a separate social media post that they “discussed energy security and defence cooperation while reaffirming the importance of advancing the US-India strategic partnership ”.
“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. The two sides reviewed their bilateral cooperation, with the focus on energy and defence. Jaishankar and Rubio, who travelled to India for the second time in less than five months with a large business delegation, met in Mumbai , 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. At a reception later in the evening, Rubio hailed the partnership between India and the US as one that would shape the century.
Russia remains the single largest source, accounting for 44% of crude purchases in August, while the US was in third place with 5.1% While India has diversified its energy sources in recent months. Days before Rubio’s arrival in India, President Donald Trump waived sweeping new sanctions and tariffs under the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, a week after announcing a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release roughly 5 million tonnes of Russian diesel onto the world market. Rubio and Jaishankar also laid a wreath at the 26/11 memorial at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel.
Rubio pushed the Indian side to increase purchases of American energy, technologies and military and nuclear equipment, according to a readout from the US state department spokesman. Rubio “reiterated that increased energy trade with the United States can play a transformative role in diversifying India’s supply chains while meeting its sizable consumer demand”, the readout said. Rubio commended progress in bilateral defence and civil nuclear cooperation , and “advocated for the increased purchase of US technologies and systems, which can enhance the security and prosperity of both our countries”. 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. Speaking at a ‘Freedom 250’ reception during his visit, Rubio said the two countries were aligned on the core issues of their national interest, citing the need for a “free and open” Indo-Pacific in which no nation can claim dominance or ownership over international shipping. “Of course there will be times and points of disagreement, but on the core issues that matter, the core issues that define the national interest of both India and the United States, the alignment between our countries is extraordinary, especially for two countries of this size,” he said. Rubio, who said he does not visit India as often as he should, described the region as one that will define how the history of the 21st century is written. “I truly believe the relationship between the United States and India is defining in many ways, in a positive way, what the 21st century can look like,” he said. A visit to the Reliance Industries -owned Jamnagar Refinery –– currently the world’s largest with an installed capacity of 1.4 million barrels a day –– is on Rubio’s itinerary for Wednesday, and he spoke extensively about the role of both India as a “refining superpower” and the Indian conglomerate in addressing global energy issues. 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. And I think as more and more Venezuelan oil comes online, it’s something they can do,” he said. There might be a few impediments that stand in the way in terms of [pre-existing] sanctions,” he said. I think they’ve made substantial progress in that regard, and we’re happy to see that,” 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,” Rubio said. Rubio said on social media that they discussed regional energy security and ways to advance shared economic priorities. “We must continue our strong partnership in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” Jaishankar said in a social media post. “At the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, I laid a wreath honoring the victims of the horrific November 26, 2008 terrorist attacks, including six American citizens,” Rubio said. “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.”
There was no immediate response from Indian officials on Rubio’s comments. This was largely in line with the push from Washington during President Donald Trump ’s second term for New Delhi to buy more energy, technology and military gear from the US. Reliance is currently engaged in efforts to set up a large refinery in Texas , the first such facility to come up in the US in five decades, and is also a key purchaser of Venezuelan crude. Rubio noted that Indian companies can play a role in refining Venezuelan heavy crude as more of it enters the world market, an issue he planned to discuss during the visit to the Reliance refinery. “They have the capability to refine heavy crude, they have done so in the past. “Refining capability is a key part of it and India is a refining superpower. They have the ability to do that and they have companies that know how to do that. He also noted that Indian companies have pre-existing oil concessions in Venezuela and can play a role in energy production. “With India, we’ve talked about it in the past…They’re ready to do it, they’re willing to do it. Asked about the reasons for his visit to the Reliance facility, Rubio replied: “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. It makes all the sense in the world to talk to them about it. Rubio responded to another question about US satisfaction with India’s steps to reduce dependence on Russian energy by noting that New Delhi has repeatedly expressed its desire to diversify its energy portfolio and that the US can be an energy source. “Obviously, it’s not easy to do that from one day to the next. “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.
Jaishankar and Rubio held a separate meeting with the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who arrived in Mumbai on Monday for a bilateral visit, and talked about cooperation in energy, trade, technology, and regional connectivity.
