Rubio Backs India’s Energy Diversification, Offers US Support Amid Russian Oil Debate

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has backed India’s efforts to diversify its energy sources, saying the United States is prepared to help meet New Delhi’s energy requirements as India continues to navigate its purchases of Russian crude oil. Rubio, who arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday for a three-day visit to India, said diversifying energy supplies was a sensible long-term strategy, although shifting away from established sources could not happen overnight.

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Rubio acknowledged that India had already made substantial progress in broadening its energy portfolio and welcomed the country’s efforts to reduce its dependence on any single source of supply. He emphasised that the discussion surrounding India’s Russian oil purchases should also account for New Delhi’s broader objective of securing diverse and reliable energy supplies.

“What India has expressed repeatedly is its desire to diversify its energy portfolio, which is a smart thing to do. It’s not easy to do that from one day to the next. I think they’ve made some substantial progress in that regard, and we’re happy to see that,” Rubio said.

Addressing India’s continued imports of Russian crude, the US Secretary of State said Washington was interested in supporting India’s diversification efforts by becoming a potential supplier of energy resources. He also pointed to Venezuela and other countries as possible sources that could contribute to India’s future energy requirements.

“But in the end, it’s not just about Russian oil; it’s about India’s desire to diversify, and we think we can be a source of some of its energy inputs. We’ve discussed Venezuela and other countries, and I think it’s in our interest to have strong allies with diverse energy portfolios,” Rubio said.

His remarks come amid continuing discussions over energy supplies, Russia-related sanctions and the broader economic relationship between Washington and New Delhi. The US position, as outlined by Rubio, places greater emphasis on expanding India’s available energy options rather than expecting an immediate shift away from Russian crude.

Rubio Calls India a ‘Refining Superpower’

Highlighting India’s importance in the global energy market, Rubio described the country as a “refining superpower” and underscored its capacity to process heavy crude oil. He said India’s existing refining infrastructure could prove particularly valuable as additional Venezuelan oil becomes available in international markets.

“India is a refining superpower,” Rubio said, noting that the country had previously demonstrated its ability to refine heavy crude.

He also pointed to India’s existing oil concessions in Venezuela, suggesting these could provide opportunities for increased production. According to Rubio, such arrangements could help India expand its access to energy resources while contributing to the wider availability of crude oil.

The US Secretary of State, however, cautioned against viewing Venezuela as a complete solution to potential disruptions in global energy supplies. He acknowledged that Venezuelan production alone would not necessarily compensate for every shortfall caused by geopolitical developments or other disruptions.

“I’m not claiming to you that Venezuela alone can fill the hole that could be caused by some of the things that are happening around the world, but I think over time, it most certainly can, and in the short term, it can certainly help,” he added.

His comments highlight the potential role of Venezuela in diversifying global crude supplies, particularly for countries with the infrastructure and technical capacity to process heavier grades of oil. For India, access to additional suppliers could offer greater flexibility in managing its energy requirements, although the extent of any shift would depend on commercial arrangements, production levels and the evolving international situation.

Energy Security and Defence Cooperation on India-US Agenda

Rubio’s visit also provides an opportunity for Washington and New Delhi to advance cooperation across several areas of their strategic partnership. Following his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Rubio said the two sides had discussed energy security and defence cooperation.

In a post on X, Rubio reaffirmed the importance of advancing the strategic partnership between the United States and India, highlighting the significance of continued engagement between the two countries.

The discussions reflect the interconnected nature of energy security, defence ties and broader strategic cooperation between Washington and New Delhi. Energy diversification remains an important consideration for India as it seeks to balance affordability, supply security and its wider international relationships.

MEA Welcomes Rubio to Mumbai

The Ministry of External Affairs welcomed Rubio upon his arrival in Mumbai on Tuesday. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced the visit in a post on X, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

“Welcome to Mumbai, US Secretary of State @SecRubio, on your second visit to India!” Jaiswal said.

Rubio was received at the airport by Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra’s Minister of Culture, Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence.

Jaiswal said the visit would provide an opportunity to advance cooperation across the various pillars of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

With energy security and defence cooperation featuring prominently in the discussions, Rubio’s three-day visit comes at a significant moment for India-US relations. His remarks on Russian oil, alternative suppliers and India’s refining capabilities underline Washington’s interest in working with New Delhi on energy diversification while recognising the practical challenges involved in changing established supply chains.

As India continues to assess its energy requirements, the availability of alternative sources, including the United States and Venezuela, could become an important part of future discussions on trade, energy security and bilateral cooperation.

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