US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday for discussions with Indian officials and Reliance Industries on expanding the refining of Venezuelan heavy crude oil at the Jamnagar complex in Gujarat. The facility has a reported processing capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day.
Rubio highlighted India’s expertise in processing heavy crude, saying the country could play an important role in addressing global diesel supply pressures and supporting energy diversification. Reliance’s Jamnagar refinery complex is a major part of India’s oil refining industry.
The discussions come amid growing international attention on energy security and the need to diversify crude oil supplies. Venezuelan heavy crude requires specialised refining capabilities, making India’s experience relevant to potential supply arrangements.
During his Mumbai visit, Rubio also joined a trilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The meeting focused on regional energy security and wider cooperation.
The engagements reflect continued efforts by India, the United States and the UAE to strengthen cooperation in energy and defence. Any expansion of Venezuelan crude processing at Jamnagar would depend on the outcome of discussions and applicable trade arrangements.