From Al Jazeera · Al Jazeera Staff · · 2m
Rubio Visits Reliance Refinery in India
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio tours India's world's largest oil refinery to address global energy crisis and US-India trade tensions.
In brief
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio tours India's world's largest oil refinery to address global energy crisis and US-India trade tensions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery in India to discuss global oil markets amid US-India trade tensions and Russia-Ukraine war impacts…
Rubio's India Visit
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in India for two-day visit to tour Jamnagar refinery complex owned by Reliance Industries.
World's Largest Refinery
Reliance's Jamnagar refinery processes 1.4 million barrels per day and is the world's largest single-site oil refinery.
Refinery Capacity
The complex has two refineries: one commissioned in 1999 with 660,000 barrels per day capacity and another in 2008 with 580,000 barrels per day.
Refinery's Role
Reliance processes heavy, sulphur-rich crude that many facilities cannot handle efficiently and exports refined products globally.
Venezuelan Crude
The refinery processes Venezuelan crude, which the US took over from Russia after abducting Nicolas Maduro.
US-India Trade Tensions
US-India bilateral relationship has been rocky due to trade friction points and an elusive trade deal.
Rubio's Business Focus
Rubio's visit is more business-focused than previous trips, meeting with business leaders to promote investment opportunities.
Refinery Significance
Reliance is central to US efforts to punish Russian energy buyers and contain oil prices amid the war on Iran and rising US diesel costs.
Refinery's Global Impact
Reliance exports refined petroleum products to global markets including 21.66 million tonnes of refined products in first half of 2025.
Russia-Ukraine War Impact
India has become second-largest buyer of Russian oil after China, with Reliance processing 50 percent of Russian crude by 2025.
Trump's Tariff Threat
Trump administration threatened 100 percent tariff on Indian goods due to Russian oil imports but suspended proposed tariffs.
US Investment in Reliance
Reliance is investing in US through America First Refining's planned oil refinery at Port of Brownsville in Texas.
Musk-Reliance Tension
Elon Musk accused Reliance's telecom firm Jio of blocking Starlink's entry into India.
What Happens Next
Rubio will meet with Reliance executives to discuss refining more Venezuelan crude and US-India economic cooperation.
The headline
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery in India to discuss global oil markets amid US-India trade tensions and Russia-Ukraine war impacts.
