Rubio skips Delhi, meets Ambani, Adani and Tata chief on a business-focused India trip

Rubio arrived in Mumbai on 20 October and met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement, saying only "a small number of items" remained. Business Today reported that open disputes include US tariffs, higher H-1B visa fees and India's purchases of Russian oil.Sources:1Business Today: Marco Rubio arrives in Jamnagar to visit Reliance refinery as India US trade deal moves closer to final agreement, Business Today, 21 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)4Foreign Policy: In India, Rubio Is All Business, Foreign Policy, 21 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)

In Mumbai, Rubio met Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran. On 21 October he went to Reliance's Jamnagar refining complex in Gujarat. Reliance said Mukesh and Anant Ambani discussed the global energy landscape, digital infrastructure including data centres, and opportunities with US companies.Sources:2Reuters (via Investing.com): Reliance says Ambanis and Rubio discussed global energy, data centres in visit, Reuters (via Investing.com), 21 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)5Businessworld (via TradingView): Rubio Meets Adani, Tata Chief Before Reliance Refinery Visit, Businessworld (via TradingView), 21 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)

Rubio told reporters, "We will talk with Reliance about refining more Venezuelan crude." Reuters reported he also planned to encourage Reliance to possibly start producing oil in Venezuela. Al Jazeera cited Kpler estimates that Reliance will take about 350,000 to 370,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan crude in October.Sources:2Reuters (via Investing.com): Reliance says Ambanis and Rubio discussed global energy, data centres in visit, Reuters (via Investing.com), 21 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)3Al Jazeera: Why Rubio is visiting Reliance's oil refinery in India, the world's largest, Al Jazeera, 20 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)

The trip did not include New Delhi. Foreign Policy reported that Indian opposition leaders criticised holding the Jaishankar meeting in Mumbai.Sources:4Foreign Policy: In India, Rubio Is All Business, Foreign Policy, 21 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)