Rubio Seeks Reliance Cooperation to Refine Western Hemisphere Crude

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seeking closer U.S. cooperation with Reliance Industries to refine Western Hemisphere crude, potentially expanding India’s supply options as Washington presses it to buy more Venezuelan oil.

Rubio discussed the idea in an interview ahead of his planned visit to Reliance’s Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat, India. He said the two sides were looking to work more closely on refining energy supplies from the Western Hemisphere. “I think that’s helpful to India, but it’s also helpful to us,” Rubio said.

The Jamnagar refinery can process 1.4 million barrels of crude per day. Its ability to handle heavy crude makes Venezuelan oil a potential part of the broader cooperation Rubio described. He said in the interview that Venezuela was increasing energy production and that India had experience refining its oil.

At a separate Tuesday news conference, Rubio called India a “refining superpower” while discussing the country’s role in meeting global energy demand. He also pointed to Reliance’s capacity to process heavy crude. The remarks addressed India’s refining capabilities more broadly than any single oil supply arrangement.

President Donald Trump has urged India to buy more Venezuelan oil in place of Russian barrels. Reliance has been the principal Indian buyer of Venezuelan crude, while state-owned oil companies have made opportunistic purchases. Rubio said Reliance’s refining capacity could help India diversify its energy supply.

The discussions come as U.S. diesel prices have risen, affecting truckers, farmers and shippers. Heavy crude grades can be used to produce diesel, linking refinery capacity to a fuel market facing pressure in the United States. Washington has separately considered restrictions on diesel exports.

He is scheduled to visit the Jamnagar refinery Wednesday.