Why US Secretary of State Rubio is skipping New Delhi for an Indian oil refinery

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting India's Jamnagar, home to the world's largest oil refining complex. Analysts suggest this visit highlights energy cooperation as a central element of bilateral relations, despite broader policy disagreements. During his visit, Rubio indicated that Reliance Industries, the owner of the Jamnagar refinery, will increase its purchases of Venezuelan oil. This move underscores India's significant refining capabilities, particularly with heavy crude. The focus on energy cooperation appears to be a key driver for the US Secretary of State's engagement in India.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting India, including a tour of Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery, the world's largest single-site facility. This visit is significant as Reliance plays a crucial role in Washington's strategy to impact Russian energy buyers and stabilize global oil prices amidst the war on Iran. The Jamnagar refinery, with a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day, is a major hub for crude processing and fuel exports, including diesel, which is a concern for the U.S. due to rising domestic prices ahead of midterm elections. Rubio's visit aims to promote U.S. commercial investment and economic cooperation, with discussions expected to include Reliance processing more Venezuelan crude.