U.S. looking to become huge source of India’s energy needs: Senior State Department official

A senior State Department official has indicated that the United States is eager to become a major energy provider for India, citing the South Asian nation's significant energy requirements. The U.S. has been actively seeking ways to diversify its own energy sources, and President Donald Trump recently signed a bill enabling him to impose up to 100% tariffs on foreign oil and gas imports, including those from Russia and Iran.

This legislation, named after Senator Lindsey Graham, has sparked discussions about its potential impact on bilateral relations, particularly with India. The official noted that India has been actively seeking to diversify its energy sources for years due to its vast energy needs, and that the U.S. understands and respects India's domestic concerns.

The official also emphasized that the U.S. is focused on ending the ongoing war, and that the new tariff tool is one of several options available to President Trump. While the official acknowledged that the implementation of the bill is uncertain, they highlighted that the U.S. is now the largest exporter of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and the second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), offering potential alternatives to India's current energy sources.

The official also mentioned that India has been exploring ways to diversify its energy supply, including through its previous refinery operations in Venezuela, but that restoring these facilities would be a challenging task given the damage caused by the Maduro regime. The State Department official also noted that conversations about energy diversification take place frequently between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and that these discussions will continue as both nations work towards strengthening their relationship.