Rubio Highlights India’s Progress in Diversifying Energy Sources

MUMBAI: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended India on Tuesday for making significant strides in diversifying its energy supplies, particularly in reducing its reliance on Russian oil imports. During his visit to India’s economic capital, Rubio emphasized the importance of India’s efforts to broaden its energy portfolio.

“What India has expressed repeatedly is their desire to diversify their energy portfolio, which is a smart thing to do,” Rubio stated. He acknowledged the challenges involved in such a transition, noting, “Obviously, it’s not easy to do that from one day to the next, so I think they’ve made substantial progress in that regard, and we’re happy to see that.” This marks Rubio’s second official visit to India this year, part of a broader Asian tour aimed at enhancing diplomatic and trade relations.

India, a major importer of Russian oil, faces complexities in its energy procurement strategies, especially in light of the tariff tensions initiated by former President Donald Trump last year. Rubio expressed optimism about the US’s potential role in supplying energy to India, stating, “Obviously, we think we could be a source of some of their energy inputs.”

Looking ahead, Rubio’s discussions with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and local business leaders are expected to pave the way for deeper energy cooperation between the two nations, which could reshape the geopolitical landscape in South Asia.