US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has begun a two-day visit to India, with the proposed India-US trade agreement, energy security and India’s purchases of Russian crude expected to dominate discussions.
Mumbai, October 20 — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has started a two-day visit to India at a crucial stage in negotiations over a bilateral trade agreement, with Russian oil purchases and energy cooperation also high on the agenda.
Rubio arrived in Mumbai, where he is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Indian business leaders before travelling to Jamnagar.
His programme also includes engagement with Reliance Industries, which operates the large Jamnagar refining complex.
The visit comes as New Delhi and Washington move closer to concluding the first phase of their proposed trade agreement.
Officials from both sides have said negotiations are at an advanced stage, with only a limited number of issues still requiring resolution.
The trade talks have been closely linked with tariff treatment for Indian exports and Washington’s concerns over India’s purchases of Russian crude oil.
India has emerged as one of the biggest buyers of discounted Russian oil since Western sanctions reshaped global energy flows following the Ukraine war.
For New Delhi, access to competitively priced crude remains important because India imports the majority of its oil requirements.
Washington, meanwhile, has been pressing major buyers of Russian energy to reduce dependence on Moscow.
The energy issue has therefore become an important part of the broader India-US trade and strategic dialogue.
Rubio’s visit is also expected to cover defence cooperation, investment, technology and broader economic ties between the two countries.
The discussions come shortly after signs of progress in trade negotiations, with both governments indicating that the proposed agreement could provide greater tariff certainty and improved market access for businesses.
India has been seeking a trade arrangement that gives its exporters treatment comparable with competing manufacturing economies.
The US is also looking for greater access to the Indian market across several sectors.
Rubio’s engagements with Indian business leaders are expected to provide the US administration with a clearer view of industry concerns over tariffs, energy supply and bilateral investment.
The visit is therefore being closely watched by exporters, energy companies and investors for indications on when the trade agreement could be formally announced.
