Marco Rubio kicks off India visit with trade deal, Russian oil on agenda
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to India on Tuesday, days after President Donald Trump delayed tariffs on US imports from the world’s largest democracy as the two countries seek to finalize a trade deal. During the two-day visit to Mumbai and Jamnagar in western India, Rubio is slated to meet government and business leaders, including Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and billionaire…
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commenced his India visit on Tuesday, just a day after President Donald Trump exempted India from potential tariffs on Russian oil imports. The two-day trip to Mumbai and Jamnagar will see Rubio engaging with government and business leaders, including Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani.
The administration claims a comprehensive trade deal between the two nations is near completion, potentially being signed during Rubio's visit. The waiver of potential tariffs, which would have penalized India for its substantial Russian crude oil purchases, has been seen as key to finalizing the deal. Critics, both Democrats and Republicans, have been dismayed by Trump's decision to waive the tariffs, arguing it undermines economic pressure on Russia for its war in Ukraine.
Rubio, however, maintains that India's diversification of its energy imports, despite still buying millions of barrels of Russian oil daily, is a positive move. He also noted that the administration is currently conducting a 60-day review period to determine whether to implement new tariffs, if required.
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