In Mumbai on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed India’s push to diversify its oil supply, after the nation trimmed its Russian crude imports. He called the shift a "smart thing to do" and highlighted that the effort was not a one‑day task.
Rubio added that Washington could play a role in meeting some of India’s energy requirements, pointing to Venezuela and other countries as potential suppliers. "We think we can be a source of some of its energy inputs," he said.
India has repeatedly expressed a desire to broaden its energy sources, a stance that aligns with U.S. interests in reducing reliance on Russian oil. The Secretary’s remarks come amid continued scrutiny of India’s oil imports and its broader strategy to balance security, affordability and partnership.
India and the United States are set to explore new procurement channels, with talks slated for the upcoming U.S.-India Energy Dialogue. The next meeting will decide which countries, including Venezuela, will step in to fill the gaps in India’s supply chain.