Marco Rubio Visits India to Finalize Trade and Energy Deals

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio conducted a diplomatic and commercial tour of Uzbekistan and India from October 17 to 22, 2026. After attending the C5+1 Ministerial in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where he secured $12 billion in contracts and expanded ties with Central Asian republics, Rubio traveled to India. Bypassing New Delhi, he held high-level talks in Mumbai and Jamnagar to prioritize commercial diplomacy and energy security.

In Mumbai, Rubio met with External Affairs Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar to advance a long-delayed bilateral trade agreement. Rubio stated the two nations are "very, very close" to finalizing the deal, which is currently in the legal-drafting stage. The diplomatic push followed a decision by President Donald Trump to issue a 60-day waiver on sanctions under the Graham Act, temporarily protecting major Russian oil importers like India from tariffs of up to 100% to stabilize global energy prices and facilitate the trade pact.

Rubio later visited the Reliance Industries refining complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat, describing India as a "refining superpower." He urged Reliance to increase its processing of Venezuelan heavy crude to diversify energy supplies and reduce reliance on Russian oil. The visit also highlighted a proposed $300 billion refinery project in Brownsville, Texas, funded by Reliance Industries. Throughout the trip, Rubio reaffirmed the U.S.-India strategic partnership, emphasizing a shared commitment to a free and secure Indo-Pacific and joint efforts to combat terrorism.