US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, ahead of his first visit to New Delhi on Thursday, said that America is ready to sell as much energy to India as India is ready to buy. Speaking to reporters in Miami before leaving for a visit to Sweden and India, Rubio described New Delhi as a great partner. He said that his visit is important because it will give him an opportunity to meet the ministers of the Quad countries.
He said that we want to sell them as much energy as they can buy. And obviously, you’ve seen that I think we’re at historic levels of American production and exports. This statement of Rubio has come at a time when the world is facing the pressure of Iran crisis and rising energy prices.
Rubio will be in India from 23 to 26 May
Rubio will be in India from May 23 to 26 and will visit Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi. “We want to do more,” Rubio said. We were already in talks with them to do more. We want them to include a larger portion of them in their portfolio. We also see opportunities in Venezuelan oil.
India is our great partner
He was replying to a question related to the impact of higher energy prices on India due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio said that he is our great ally and great partner. We work very well together with them. Therefore this is an important journey. I am happy that we are able to make this trip because I think we will get a chance to discuss many topics during this time.
Meeting with Quad also
He said that we will also hold a meeting with the Quad there, which is important. I think my first meeting as Foreign Minister was with the Quad. I am glad that we are now able to do this in India and we will also hold a meeting later this year. Rubio said that Venezuela’s acting President Delsey Rodriguez is also going to reach India next week and there will be many opportunities to work with New Delhi.
S Jaishankar will chair the Quad
The Quad meeting will be held on May 26, which is expected to be attended by Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, while Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will chair it. Rubio’s visit to Kolkata will be the first visit by a US Secretary of State in almost 14 years. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Kolkata in 2012.
Venezuela’s interim president will visit India
Reflecting India’s growing diplomatic centrality and its important role in understanding complex global energy scenarios, Rubio said Venezuela’s acting President Delsey Rodriguez is also scheduled to visit India next week, which will open new avenues of cooperation. Rubio said, in fact, I am aware that the interim President of Venezuela is also visiting India next week. So, the opportunities are there. There is a lot to work together with India.
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