Ahead of Reliance Industries investing in Texas refinery, Rubio to meet Ambani in Jamnagar

NEW DELHI: US secretary of state Marco Rubio will arrive in Mumbai Tuesday for a two-day visit to India that will see him travelling to Jamnagar as well. While his bilateral with counterpart S Jaishankar is scheduled for Tuesday in Mumbai, he will travel to Jamnagar the next day.The trip to Gujarat’s refinery hub, where he will visit the Reliance oil refining complex, is expected to last around nine hours. Rubio will also have a meeting with Mukesh Ambani before returning to Mumbai.The visit highlights growing India-US energy cooperation. Rubio is expected to focus on strategic energy partnerships, highlighting the importance of the Reliance oil refinery as the company prepares for its upcoming investment in a Texas oil refinery. Officials did not confirm or deny reports that Rubio may also visit the Vantara animal rehabilitation centre, located in the same complex.On his arrival in Mumbai, Rubio will briefly meet Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and lay a wreath at the Taj Hotel memorial before joining Jaishankar for the bilateral meeting.This will be Rubio’s second bilateral meeting with Jaishankar in India this year, following his visit in May. They will meet again later this month on the margins of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta. Jaishankar is expected to prioritise India’s concerns related to immigration-related issues, while reviewing bilateral cooperation, reaffirming commitment to the trade deal under discussion and reiterating India’s position on energy security.Later in the evening, Jaishankar will join Rubio for the Freedom 250 reception to celebrate the US’s 250th anniversary at Jio Convention Centre. The ministry of external affairs has said Jaishankar will be the guest of honour. Although an official confirmation is still awaited, Rubio is also likely to meet Gautam Adani and Tata group chief N Chandrasekaran before his departure for Jamnagar Wednesday.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.