Rubio says India has made progress in diversifying oil imports

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said India has made significant progress in diversifying its energy supplies including reducing its dependence on Russia one of its major oil suppliers.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said India has made significant progress in diversifying its energy supplies including reducing its dependence on Russia one of its major oil suppliers.

Speaking in Mumbai on Tuesday, Rubio said India had repeatedly expressed its intention to broaden its energy sources, describing the move as a sensible strategy. He acknowledged that changing energy suppliers could not happen overnight but said Washington welcomed the progress made by New Delhi.

Rubio is visiting India for the second time this year as part of a wider Asian tour focused on diplomacy and trade. Before arriving in Mumbai, he visited Uzbekistan to discuss stronger partnerships with Central Asian countries. In India, he held talks with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and met business leaders.

India remains a significant buyer of Russian crude oil, an issue that has contributed to tensions with Washington. Relations between the two countries have also faced challenges following US President Donald Trump’s tariff measures introduced last year.

Rubio said the United States could become an alternative source of energy supplies for India. He also described India as a major refining power. During his visit, the US secretary of state is scheduled to travel to Jamnagar in Gujarat home to a major refinery operated by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance conglomerate.

The visit comes as Washington and New Delhi continue negotiations over a trade agreement. Rubio said the two countries were close to reaching a deal, with only a limited number of issues remaining unresolved. He expressed hope that an announcement could be made soon, potentially allowing both countries’ leaders to sign the agreement afterward.

However, a final deal during his current visit appears unlikely. Negotiations have continued despite an interim trade arrangement reached in February, which was intended to reduce US tariffs on Indian goods. Uncertainty increased after the US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently said the negotiations had reached a difficult stage with further compromises becoming increasingly challenging.

Rubio also addressed temporary US waivers related to Russian oil sanctions saying Washington must consider its relationships with other countries and their practical energy requirements. He added that decisions should not destabilise other economies over a single issue.

Separately Jaishankar met UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai. The discussions included regional concerns and the importance of maintaining the safe and uninterrupted movement of trade, energy and fertiliser supplies.

During his visit, Rubio is also expected to pay tribute to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed 166 people.