US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has acknowledged India’s progress in diversifying its energy supplies, describing the move as a sensible strategy while expressing Washington’s willingness to become a more significant supplier of energy to New Delhi.
Speaking during a visit to Mumbai, Rubio said India had repeatedly expressed its intention to broaden its energy portfolio, adding that the country had made considerable progress despite the difficulties involved in changing supply arrangements quickly.
Rubio is visiting India for the second time this year as part of an Asian tour focused on diplomacy, trade and regional partnerships. Before arriving in Mumbai, he visited Uzbekistan, where he called for closer cooperation with Central Asian countries.
In India, Rubio is scheduled to hold talks with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and meet business leaders.
India remains a major buyer of Russian oil, an issue that has contributed to tensions with Washington. Relations between the two countries have also faced pressure from US President Donald Trump’s tariff measures, introduced in April 2025.
Rubio said the United States could potentially supply some of India’s energy requirements, signalling opportunities for closer cooperation in the energy sector.
The US secretary of state is also expected to visit Jamnagar in Gujarat, home to the Reliance conglomerate led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani and its flagship refinery, regarded as the world’s largest.
Describing India as a major refining power, Rubio highlighted the country’s importance in the global energy industry.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not scheduled to meet Rubio during this visit.
The US diplomat is also expected to pay tribute to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which claimed 166 lives.
Rubio previously visited New Delhi and Kolkata in May, when he also toured the Taj Mahal and met Prime Minister Modi.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had spoken with Rubio and raised concerns about the US military satellite systems used by Ukraine, along with delays in missile supplies.
Zelensky said he had stressed the need to restore access to Starlink and Starshield services and urged the timely delivery of ballistic missile interceptors to protect lives.
The Ukrainian president was also expected to travel to Oslo for discussions with US representatives.
Rubio’s visit comes as Washington and New Delhi continue efforts to finalise a trade agreement, which has remained a significant point of contention between the two countries.
The US secretary of state said negotiations were close to completion, with only a limited number of issues remaining unresolved. He expressed hope that an announcement could be made soon, potentially followed by a formal signing by the two countries’ leaders.
Rubio had similarly described the negotiations as being close to a breakthrough during his visit to Samarkand earlier in the week.
However, a final agreement during his current trip appears unlikely.
Asked about temporary US exemptions from sanctions affecting Russian oil, Rubio said Washington had to balance several considerations, including its relations with other countries and their practical ability to secure adequate energy supplies.
He cautioned that economic relations could not be disrupted entirely over a single issue.
The two countries reached an interim trade arrangement in February aimed at reducing US tariffs on Indian goods. However, the US Supreme Court subsequently struck down Trump’s sweeping tariffs, creating uncertainty over the agreement’s implementation.
Negotiations have continued since then, with both sides seeking a way forward.
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said earlier this month that the discussions had reached a difficult stage, with further concessions becoming increasingly challenging for both parties.
Separately, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar met his United Arab Emirates counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Mumbai on Tuesday.
The UAE is an important energy supplier to India, particularly in liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Before the meeting, Jaishankar described the situation in the Gulf as a matter of serious concern and reaffirmed India’s support for the uninterrupted movement of trade, energy and fertiliser supplies.
The discussions highlighted India’s interest in maintaining stable energy flows and protecting supply chains amid continuing regional tensions.
