The United States will discuss with Reliance Industries the possibility of refining more Venezuelan crude and exploring oil production in Venezuela, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after arriving in Mumbai on Tuesday. The comments place India’s refining capacity at the centre of a potential shift in global crude supply flows.
Rubio described India as a “refining superpower” and said the country had the capability to process heavy crude. “They have the capability to refine heavy crude. They’ve done so in the past, and I think as more and more Venezuelan oil comes online, it’s something they can do,” he told journalists.
The discussions are expected to involve Reliance Industries, which operates one of the world’s largest refining complexes at Jamnagar in Gujarat. The source report did not provide details on the proposed volume of Venezuelan crude, the commercial structure of the discussions, or a timeline for any agreement.
Rubio also said the United States would speak with Reliance about producing oil in Venezuela. The remarks indicate that the proposed engagement could extend beyond crude purchases and refining to participation in upstream production. No specific Venezuelan project, investment commitment or operating arrangement was identified in the report.
The issue is significant because heavy crude requires refinery systems capable of handling its density and composition. Rubio’s comments suggest that India’s established refining infrastructure could make its companies potential participants as additional Venezuelan oil enters international markets. The report, however, did not state whether any approvals, sanctions-related arrangements or formal agreements have been reached.
Rubio began a three-day visit to India after landing in Mumbai. His discussions with Indian officials are expected to cover trade, energy, investment, defence and critical technologies. The energy conversation is taking place alongside continuing concerns over the war in the Middle East and broader uncertainty in global oil markets.
The visit is also unfolding after strains in US-India relations linked to tariff issues, immigration measures and disagreements over the handling of India-Pakistan military clashes last year. Both sides have nevertheless indicated progress in talks on a proposed bilateral trade deal, according to the report.
For India, any expansion of Venezuelan crude flows would depend on commercial viability, policy conditions and the ability of refiners to secure reliable supply. The immediate next step is the proposed US discussion with Reliance; the report did not announce a final agreement or an implementation schedule.
