US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a visit to India on Tuesday as Washington and New Delhi moved closer to finalising a comprehensive trade agreement. The Marco Rubio India visit comes days after President Donald Trump waived potential tariffs linked to India’s purchases of Russian crude oil. Trade negotiations, energy imports and relations between the two countries are expected to feature prominently during his two-day trip.
Rubio is scheduled to visit Mumbai and Jamnagar in western India, where he will meet government and business leaders. His meetings are expected to include Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani. Reliance operates a major oil refining complex in Jamnagar, making the industrial city relevant to discussions surrounding India’s energy supplies.
Officials from both countries have recently indicated that a comprehensive trade deal is close to completion. This has raised the possibility of an agreement being signed during Rubio’s visit. However, the available report did not confirm a signing or provide the final terms of the proposed deal.
Russian oil purchases remain a sensitive issue in US-India relations. Trump recently waived potential tariffs that could have targeted India under legislation authorising duties of up to 100 per cent on major importers of Russian oil. India ranks second after China among those importers, according to the report.
Rubio said the administration had taken India’s energy diversification into account while considering its trade policy. He acknowledged that India had reduced its dependence on Russian crude to some extent but continued to purchase substantial quantities. He also described India as an important US partner and noted that countries faced different challenges when switching energy suppliers.
The Trump administration has faced criticism from lawmakers in both major US political parties over its decision to waive the tariff provisions. Some legislators have supported greater economic pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine. Rubio said the administration would conduct a 60-day review before deciding whether to introduce any new tariffs.
India imports more than 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements to support its growing economy. This dependence makes energy security a major consideration in its foreign and trade policies. Rubio’s visit follows meetings with political and business leaders in Uzbekistan and comes as both countries seek progress on trade while navigating differences over Russian oil and wider international relations.
