Rubio Begins India Visit as Trade Deal and Russian Oil Dispute Take Centre Stage

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has begun a visit to India, with negotiations over a long-awaited trade agreement and New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian crude oil expected to dominate discussions between the two countries.

The visit comes as Washington and New Delhi seek to repair strained relations following months of disagreements over tariffs, energy imports and other economic issues. US President Donald Trump recently waived key Russia-related tariff and sanctions provisions that threatened to expose Indian goods to steep additional duties.

Rubio, who travelled to India after meetings with Central Asian leaders in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, is scheduled to meet Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and business leaders during engagements in Mumbai and Jamnagar in western India.

The two countries have indicated that a comprehensive trade agreement is close to completion, raising expectations that Rubio’s visit could help resolve outstanding differences. India’s trade secretary, Rajesh Agrawal, said last week that the first phase of the agreement had been finalised and was undergoing legal drafting.

Trade negotiations have faced repeated obstacles, including Washington’s demands concerning market access and India’s energy relationship with Russia. The proposed US measures threatened tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major buyers of Russian oil, including India.

Trump’s decision to suspend key provisions of the measures has eased immediate pressure on New Delhi and improved prospects for an agreement. Rubio said the trade negotiations were among the considerations behind the decision, describing the discussions as being very close to completion.

Russian oil remains a sensitive issue because India depends heavily on imported crude to meet its energy needs. The country imports more than 85% of its crude oil requirements, making the availability and price of alternative supplies important considerations for its economy.

Although India has diversified some of its energy purchases, it continues to rely significantly on Russian supplies. Rubio acknowledged that countries face different geographical and logistical challenges when changing suppliers, adding that shifting away from Russian energy could not happen overnight.

The visit also includes a planned trip to Jamnagar in Gujarat, where Reliance Industries operates one of the world’s largest refining complexes. The facility has played a major role in processing imported crude, including Russian oil, into petroleum products for domestic consumption and export.

Meetings with Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani and other business figures are expected to highlight investment opportunities and broader commercial cooperation between the two countries.

Beyond trade and energy, the discussions are expected to cover defence, critical and emerging technologies, investment and regional security. Both governments have continued to describe their relationship as strategically important despite recent disagreements.

However, the temporary tariff reprieve does not necessarily settle the wider dispute over Russian oil. Washington retains options to apply further economic pressure, while India is seeking stable access to energy supplies and favourable terms for its exporters.

Rubio’s visit therefore presents an opportunity for both sides to advance trade negotiations while addressing differences that have tested one of the world’s most consequential bilateral partnerships. Whether the discussions produce a signed agreement will depend on the resolution of remaining commercial and regulatory issues.