'Want To Sell Them As Much Energy As They'll Buy': Marco Rubio Ahead Of India Visit

Last Updated:May 22, 2026, 07:11 IST

Rubio also said the United States is exploring ways to expand its energy ties with India.

Ahead of his visit to India, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is prepared to supply India with as much energy as it is willing to purchase. He described India as a “great ally and partner" and stressed the importance of stronger cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters in Miami on Thursday, Rubio said his upcoming India trip would provide an opportunity to hold discussions with ministers from the Quad grouping. He said the partnership between the two nations continues to grow across several sectors.

“We do a lot of good work with them. And so it is an important trip. I’m glad we’re able to do it because I think there’ll be a lot for us to talk about," Rubio said.

“We’ll also meet with Quad there, which is important. I think my first meeting as Secretary of State was with the Quad. I’m glad we are able to do it now in India and we’re going to do one later in the year as well," he added.

Rubio’s remarks come amid concerns over global energy supplies following the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Referring to energy trade with India, he said, “Well, we want to sell them as much energy as they’ll buy. And obviously, you’ve seen I think we’re at historic levels of US production, and US export."

The US Secretary of State is scheduled to visit India from May 23 to May 26. During the visit, he will travel to New Delhi, Kolkata, Agra and Jaipur.

Rubio also said the United States is exploring ways to expand its energy ties with India. “We want to do more and we’re already talking to them about doing more. We want them to be a bigger part of their portfolio. We also think there are opportunities with Venezuelan oil," he said.

His comments on Venezuelan oil come as Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez is expected to visit India next week for talks related to oil sales.

The Quad meeting will take place on May 26 and is expected to be attended by Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Rubio will also become the first US Secretary of State to visit Kolkata in nearly 14 years. The previous visit by a US Secretary of State to the city was made by Hillary Clinton in 2012.

The US Consulate General in Kolkata is among the oldest American consulates in the world and is the second-oldest US consulate globally.

US President Donald Trump had earlier referred to India’s purchase of Venezuelan oil in February, when both countries announced a major trade agreement that included lowering reciprocal tariffs on Indian imports to 18 per cent from 25 per cent.

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