National/Alive News: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Reliance Industries’ Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat on Wednesday, with discussions on Venezuelan crude oil, energy cooperation and investment expected to feature prominently in his talks with chairman Mukesh Ambani.
The visit comes as Washington seeks reliable energy supplies and greater cooperation with India, which has significant capacity to refine heavy crude oil. Rubio described India as a refining superpower and said Reliance’s capabilities made it an important potential partner in the global energy sector.
Reliance’s Jamnagar complex is the world’s largest refinery at a single location, with capacity to process around 1.4 million barrels of crude oil per day. Its ability to process heavy crude, including Venezuelan oil, makes the facility strategically important for discussions on future supplies.
According to trade intelligence firm Kpler, India imported around 257,000 barrels of Venezuelan oil daily in September, with Reliance accounting for a major share. Washington is seeking greater cooperation on Venezuelan oil trade as it reshapes energy policy.
Before travelling to Jamnagar, Rubio met Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, and N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, in Mumbai. The discussions were aimed at strengthening business partnerships and investment ties between India and the United States.
The visit also comes amid strained India-US relations over trade and energy policies. Reliance’s reported plans for a major refinery investment in Texas add further significance to the engagement.
The meetings could open opportunities for energy cooperation and corporate investment, although their impact on broader bilateral relations remains uncertain.
