Mumbai: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reached Mumbai on Tuesday on a three-day visit to India. Here he met Foreign Minister S. Had bilateral talks with Jaishankar. During this, India-US trade agreement, energy cooperation and strategic partnership were discussed. Rubio indicated that long-running trade deal negotiations between the two countries are now in the final stages. He said that good news on the agreement can be received soon and after that formal signing can be done.

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'India refining superpower', eyeing Venezuelan oil

While talking to the media in Mumbai, Rubio praised India's oil refining capacity. He said India is capable of refining heavy crude oil and Indian refineries can play an important role if oil supplies from Venezuela increase.

According to Rubio, India already has rights to oil production in Venezuela. He indicated that production can be increased by using these possibilities. However, he also clarified that Venezuelan oil alone cannot meet every shortage to the global energy crisis, but it can be helpful in supply in the coming times.

There will be talks with Mukesh Ambani in Jamnagar

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Rubio's visit also included a visit to the Reliance Industries refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Here he is likely to talk to Reliance chief Mukesh Ambani and company representatives. The discussions may include issues like increasing Venezuelan oil production, its refining and cooperation in energy business.

Reliance's Jamnagar refinery is known for its ability to process heavy and varying quality crude oil. For this reason, America's interest in India's role in Venezuelan oil has increased.

Focus on trade, energy and strategic relationships

The trade agreement talks between India and America are taking place at a time when relations between the two countries are under tension over issues like tariffs and oil purchase from Russia. Apart from trade, cooperation in energy, investment, defense and critical technologies are also important topics in Rubio's visit.

The challenge now for both the countries is to convert the consensus reached in talks into a concrete agreement. Rubio has expressed hope for a deal to be struck soon, but a formal signing date has not been announced.

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