India raised urgent concerns about a looming crude oil and natural gas supply crisis during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s four-day visit, telling the US it needs assured energy flows after disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz closure and intermittent sanctions on Russian crude.
Rubio met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, in a meeting attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval. Indian officials said the country warned that nearly 20% of global energy supplies had been lost and that crude prices had surged above $110 a barrel since the US‑Iran war began in February.
According to sources, Rubio urged India to diversify its crude suppliers and signaled that the United States could play a larger role as a reliable oil supplier. He also extended an invitation for PM Modi to visit the White House on behalf of President Donald Trump.
Energy cooperation was not the only topic. Rubio highlighted collaboration on small modular reactors (SMRs), calling them a next‑generation nuclear option to replace retiring coal plants. A US nuclear industry delegation visited New Delhi the previous week to discuss such cooperation.
After the meeting, Modi tweeted that they had discussed progress in the India‑US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and regional and global peace and security, and that the two countries would continue to work closely for the global good.
At the opening of a US Embassy annex in New Delhi, Rubio described the India‑US relationship as the “cornerstone” of Washington’s Indo‑Pacific strategy, noting the personal rapport between Trump and Modi and promising further announcements to strengthen ties. He cited expanding commercial links, including about $20 billion in Indian investments in the US, and deeper security cooperation through military exercises.
Rubio said the upcoming Quad meeting in India would underscore New Delhi’s role in the US approach to the Indo‑Pacific. A bilateral session between Rubio and Jaishankar was scheduled to address energy security, trade and defence cooperation.
Talks come as India‑US trade negotiations remain stalled over Indian sensitivities on agricultural and dairy imports, and as New Delhi presses concerns about delays in delivery of jet engines from General Electric for the Tejas Mark‑1A fighters.
Rubio also visited Kolkata, including the Missionaries of Charity, and said he had discussed the West Asia situation with Modi as well as cooperation on securing critical supply chains and emerging technologies. He reaffirmed the White House invitation to PM Modi.
