Washington is looking to “transform India’s energy supply” after triggering a global crisis with its attack on Iran
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at expanding energy “collaboration” amid the international crisis caused by the US war with Israel and Iran.
During Saturday’s meeting, part of Rubio’s four-day visit to India, the US secretary of state said the two sides had negotiated. “The state of the Middle East and US-India cooperation in energy, access to critical supply chains, and cooperation on emerging technologies.”
Modi described the discussions as focused “sustainable development” in the strategic partnership between India and the United States, as well as regional and international security issues. “India and the United States will continue to work closely for the benefit of the world,” he wrote on X after the meeting.
India, the world’s third-largest crude importer, depends on foreign suppliers for more than 80% of its energy needs and has been hit hard by the conflict, although Tehran has allowed Indian ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which it closed. “hostility” nations.
Rubio claimed that Washington – which imposed its blockade of the strategic waterway – “It will not allow Iran to dominate the international energy market” and prove it “American energy products have the potential to transform India’s energy supply.”
Before the trip, Rubio said the United States wants to be “the biggest part” of India’s import portfolio and “sell them as much energy as they will buy,” while also showing “Opportunity with Venezuelan oil.” He said that interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who took office after the US military attack on Venezuela in January, will travel to India next week to discuss oil sales that are now under Washington’s full control.
Shortly after meeting Modi, Rubio claimed that India had it “dedication“ buy $500 billion worth of American goods over the next five years, focusing on energy, technology and agriculture. New Delhi, however, is yet to officially confirm any new commitments.
In recent years, relations between Washington and New Delhi have deteriorated due to a trade deficit that reached 58.2 billion dollars last year and due to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, which has become the country’s largest source of energy since 2022.
New Delhi has refused to freeze Russian oil imports, insisting it will continue to seek energy from all available suppliers to protect the economy and national interests. Earlier this year, the Trump administration imposed punitive tariffs on Indian goods linked to trade with Russia, but later scaled back the measures under an earlier agreement with Modi.
