Rubio urges India to refine more crude, eyeing Reliance's Jamnagar capacity

Summary

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed India as a "refining superpower" and urged it to refine more crude during his visit to the country. He visited Reliance's Jamnagar refinery complex, where he called the company's "extraordinary" refining capacity a way for India to diversify its energy supplies, hinting at greater offtake of Venezuelan crude. Reports also say he met Adani and Chandrasekaran during the visit, which comes as India and the US seek to deepen commercial and strategic ties in energy security, manufacturing and technology. One analysis piece said the Jamnagar trip signals energy cooperation as the anchor of bilateral ties, even as broader policy friction strains relations.

Timeline

1. Semafor

   20 Oct 2026, 22:40 UTCSource ↗

   Semafor reports that Rubio hailed India as a "refining superpower" during his visit and pushed it to refine more crude.

2. CNBC

   21 Oct 2026, 04:47 UTCSource ↗

   CNBC reports that Rubio, visiting Reliance's Jamnagar plant, said the company's "extraordinary" refining capacity could help India diversify its energy supplies, hinting at greater offtake of Venezuelan crude.

3. South China Morning Post

   21 Oct 2026, 10:30 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that Rubio's Jamnagar visit signals energy cooperation as the anchor for bilateral ties even as broader policy friction frays relations, according to analysts, and that Rubio indicated Reliance will buy more Venezuelan oil.

4. The Hindu

   21 Oct 2026, 16:46 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that Rubio arrived in Jamnagar to visit the Reliance refinery and met Adani and Chandrasekaran, a visit it says comes as India and the US seek to deepen commercial and strategic ties.