New Delhi: Ahead of his India visit, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made a strong pitch for deeper energy cooperation with New Delhi, saying Washington is ready to sell as much energy as India wants to buy.
Speaking to reporters in Miami, Rubio described India as a great ally and partner. He said his upcoming visit is important as it will also include meetings with ministers from the Quad countries. “We work very well with them,” Rubio said, adding that there will be a lot to discuss during the visit.
Rubio said he was pleased that the Quad meeting would be held in India, noting that his first meeting as Secretary of State was also with Quad leaders. He added that another such meeting is expected later this year.
According to the ABP Live report, the issue of Venezuelan oil is also likely to be discussed. Rubio said Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez is expected to visit India next week, where talks on selling oil to India may take place. The report also noted that US President Donald Trump had earlier referred to India’s oil purchases from Venezuela.
Rubio will be in India from May 23 to May 26. During the four day visit, he is scheduled to travel to New Delhi, Kolkata, Agra and Jaipur. He will also become the first US Secretary of State in nearly 14 years to visit Kolkata. The Quad foreign ministers’ meeting is scheduled for May 26 and will be chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi are also expected to attend.