Rubio visits India with a trip to the world's largest oil refinery topping the agenda

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits India, focusing on the world's largest oil refinery, amid ongoing trade talks and sanctions waivers.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting India, with a trip to the world's largest oil refinery topping the agenda, according to DW News. The refinery, owned by Reliance Industries, processes massive amounts of Russian crude and is a significant part of India's energy relationship with Russia. Reliance is also a top buyer of Venezuelan oil and has been a major buyer of Russian Urals crude.

The refinery can process 1.4 million barrels of crude oil a day, making it a valuable exporter of diesel fuel for global markets. US President Donald Trump has put the value of a new oil refinery project in Texas, backed by Reliance, at $300 billion. The project aims to help reduce the US trade deficit with India, but its progress and terms will be closely watched.

Trade talks between the US and India remain stalled, with continued ambiguity on punitive measures from the US over India's purchases of Russian oil. In February 2026, Trump announced a "trade deal" that slashed US tariffs on Indian goods, in exchange for India lowering trade barriers and halting purchases of Russian oil. However, this has never been confirmed by New Delhi.

Rubio's visit comes as the US has imposed 100% tariffs on top buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India, under the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act." However, Trump signed an executive order pausing the sanctions just days before they were due to go into effect. Rubio said trade talks with India are taking place with the sanctions waivers in mind.