US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting India on Tuesday as The two-day visit comes days after US President Donald Trump waived potential tariffs linked to India’s purchases of Russian crude oil, removing a major hurdle in ongoing trade discussions.
During his visit, Rubio is expected to meet government and business leaders in Mumbai and Jamnagar, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani. The discussions are likely to focus on the proposed trade agreement, India’s Russian oil imports and broader economic ties between the two countries, reported Reuters.
Here is what is on the agenda during Rubio’s India visit.
A key focus of Rubio’s visit will be the proposed trade agreement between India and the US. Officials from both countries have indicated that negotiations are nearing completion, raising the possibility of the deal being signed during the visit.
The agreement is expected to be an important step in strengthening trade ties between the two countries. Trump’s recent decision to waive potential tariffs on India has also eased pressure on New Delhi as negotiations continue.
The visit could provide an opportunity for both sides to resolve remaining issues and move closer to a final agreement. However, a signing during Rubio’s visit has not been confirmed.
India’s purchases of Russian crude oil are another important issue likely to feature in discussions. Washington has previously pushed New Delhi to reduce its dependence on Russian oil, while India continues to rely heavily on imports to meet its energy needs.
Trump recently waived potential tariffs that could have penalised India for buying Russian crude. Under legislation signed by the US President in September, the administration had been authorised to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major importers of Russian oil, including India.
Rubio has linked the decision to waive these tariffs partly to efforts to conclude a trade deal. He has also indicated that India has been diversifying its energy imports, although it continues to purchase substantial quantities of Russian crude. He said the administration would use the 60-day review period to evaluate whether new tariffs were necessary.
During his two-day visit, Rubio is expected to meet Jaishankar and business leaders, including Ambani, whose Reliance Industries operates the world’s largest refining complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
The meetings come at a time when India and the US are seeking to advance trade negotiations while managing differences over energy imports and tariffs.
Rubio is travelling to India from Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where he has been meeting political and business leaders from Central Asia.
His visit is expected to provide an opportunity for both countries to discuss the next steps in trade negotiations and address the issues shaping their economic relationship.