US Wants to Sell India As Much Energy As It Will Buy: Marco Rubio Ahead of His Trip To Delhi

US secretary of state Marco Rubio called India a "great partner" and said Washington plans to deepen energy cooperation during Rubio’s first official trip to the country from May 23 to 26, adding that the United States is prepared to increase supplies as New Delhi faces pressure from elevated global fuel prices.

India US energy ties and Marco Rubio visit

Speaking to reporters in Miami before leaving for Sweden and then India, Rubio linked his visit directly to energy security and broader strategic talks. Rubio said the United States is ready to boost deliveries as US output and exports rise, positioning American supplies as a key option for India’s fuel needs.

Rubio stressed that US production has reached record levels and underlined Washington’s willingness to respond to India’s demand. "Well, we want to sell them as much energy as they'll buy. And obviously, you've seen I think we're at historic levels of US production, and US export," Rubio told reporters while outlining the administration’s approach.

India US energy ties and Quad meeting

Rubio added that talks on extra supplies are already underway. "We want to be able to do more. We were already in talks with them to do more. We want them to be a bigger part of their portfolio. We also think there are opportunities with Venezuelan oil," Rubio said, pointing to possible diversification options.

Rubio was answering a question on how India is dealing with higher energy costs after disruption near the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil shipments. The remarks framed US energy exports, including possible Venezuelan volumes, as part of a wider conversation on shielding India from unstable prices and supply shocks.

Beyond energy, Rubio said the India leg of the tour aims to reinforce political and security cooperation, including with other Quad partners. "They are a great ally, a great partner. We do a lot of good work with them. And so it is an important trip. I'm glad we're able to do it because I think there'll be a lot for us to talk about," Rubio said.

Rubio confirmed that a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi on May 26 will feature ministers from Australia, Japan and India. "We'll also meet with Quad there, which is important. I think my first meeting as Secretary of State was with the Quad. I'm glad we are able to do it now in India and we're going to do one later in the year as well," Rubio added.

The May 26 Quad meeting is expected to bring together Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Discussions are likely to focus on regional security, supply chains and strategic coordination, with India hosting as one of the core Quad members.

Rubio also highlighted potential coordination involving Caracas. Rubio said Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez is expected in India the week after the US delegation. "In fact, it's my understanding that the interim president of Venezuela will be travelling to India next week as well. So, there's opportunities. There's a lot to work on with India," Rubio said.

During the four-day India visit, Rubio plans stops in Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi, combining diplomatic engagements with regional outreach. The itinerary underlines interest in connecting with different parts of the country, alongside formal meetings with top Indian officials and separate sessions with visiting Quad counterparts.

The Kolkata leg carries added significance, as it will be the first visit to the city by a US Secretary of State in nearly 14 years; the last such trip came in 2012 when former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton travelled there, highlighting the renewed diplomatic attention on eastern India.