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Marco Rubio says, “We think there’s an opportunity for them to continue to help India diversify its supply of energy.”
Marco Rubio, United States Secretary of State. (AP File)
Marco Rubio, United States Secretary of State, in an exclusive interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, underscored the importance of Reliance, saying he sees opportunities for closer energy cooperation, particularly in refining crude oil from Venezuela and other Western Hemisphere suppliers.
Rubio, who is scheduled to visit Reliance’s Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat on Wednesday, said, “Reliance is a very important company, has extraordinary capacity to refine. Petroleum is useless if you don’t refine it into a usable product. We think there’s an opportunity for them to continue to help India diversify its supply of energy.”
He said the company’s refining capabilities could support India’s efforts to diversify its energy supplies, particularly as Venezuelan oil production increases. Rubio also highlighted Reliance’s investments in refining capacity in the United States, pointing to the company’s existing involvement in the American energy sector.
“For example, Venezuela is increasing its production of energy and India’s had a long history of being able to refine some of that. But it’s also one of the few companies that’s actually invested in refining capacity in the United States. They’ve invested in increasing the refining capacity within the United States, so being so close it made sense to go see their operations, spend some time talking to them about the way we can work together more closely, especially when it comes to energy from the Western hemisphere that can be refined here. I think that’s helpful to India but it’s also helpful to us.”
#MarcoRubioOnNews18 | Secretary Rubio, what were the key takeaways from your meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and what brings you to Reliance’s Jamnagar facility?Well, with Jai, I think we’ve created a very positive and solid work relationship that’s allowed us to navigate some delicate and sensitive things over the last year and a half: @SecRubio, US Secretary of State
#EXCLUSIVE #MarcoRubio #IndiaUSRelations #IndiaUSTradeDeal #Russia #Ukraine #QUAD @StateDept @USAndIndia | @18RahulJoshi
— News18 (@CNNnews18) October 20, 2026
Reliance operates the world’s largest single-site refining complex at Jamnagar, with a crude processing capacity of approximately 1.4 million barrels per day.
The complex comprises two refineries capable of processing different grades of crude oil, including the heavy and high-sulphur varieties produced in Venezuela.
At A Glance
Marco Rubio stated that Reliance possesses extraordinary refining capacity and helps diversify India’s energy supply.
Rubio noted that Reliance has invested in increasing refining capacity within the United States.
Rubio highlighted his strong working relationship with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, having met at least a dozen times.
Rubio emphasized that the Quad is transitioning from meetings to concrete actions and deliverables.
‘MEETING WITH JAISHANKAR’
Rubio also spoke about his “great relationship with S Jaishankar“. “I’ve gotten to know him as I said it was the first meeting I did as Secretary of State he was part of it at the time and he was part of that first meeting. So, we’ve met, I don’t know how many times. We must’ve met at least a dozen times because he also came with the United States four times. Anytime we’re in the same city, at a gathering, a conference, or what have you, we always make it a point to meet, and so I think we’ve created a very positive and solid work relationship that’s allowed us to navigate some delicate and sensitive things over the last year and a half,” he said.
“As far as, you know, moving forward on the relationship I think we have extraordinary opportunities. I think we are aligned on so many different things, the Quad is one that’s really taking on a lot of energyand because the Quad is not just a process by which we meet and agree to do certain things, you’re now starting to see action…,” said Rubio.
DISCLAIMER: Network18 and TV18 – the companies that operate News18.com – are controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary
Quick Answers
Ask News18US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Reliance Industries’ Jamnagar refinery to explore closer energy cooperation and discuss how the company’s refining capabilities can help India diversify its energy supplies using crude oil from the Western Hemisphere and Venezuela.
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At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci…Read More
October 20, 2026, 10:13 pm IST
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