Rubio Warns Iran on Energy, Forges Deeper US-India Ties

(MENAFN) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday that Washington would not allow Tehran to hold global energy markets captive, presenting American energy exports as a viable diversification path for India as the two nations pledged to strengthen strategic ties.

"Secretary Rubio met today with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The Secretary underscored the strategic importance of the US-India partnership, rooted in our shared democratic values, profound economic and commercial opportunity, and the strong personal ties between President (Donald) Trump and Prime Minister Modi," State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

On behalf of President Trump, Rubio extended an invitation for Modi to visit the White House. Their talks covered the Middle East situation, trade, defense cooperation, and emerging technologies.

Rubio told Modi that the US "will not let Iran hold the global energy market hostage and affirmed that US energy products have the potential to diversify India's energy supply." The remarks came as India — which resumed oil purchases from Iran this year after a seven-year pause — faces fresh pressure over its energy sourcing amid ongoing Middle East disruptions.

Both sides agreed to deepen defense and trade cooperation and advance President Trump and Prime Minister Modi's "Mission 500" initiative, which targets a doubling of bilateral trade by 2030.

Speaking separately to media, Rubio addressed concerns over Indian purchases of Russian oil, saying: "It was about a desire to impose a cost on Russia because of the war in Ukraine, and India just happens to be a big purchaser, but it was never aimed at India per se."

He continued: "There's been some new dynamics in place nonetheless since that time…, We've also seen an opportunity for India to continue ... its plan … to diversify its energy sources. And that includes the United States and potentially some other countries like Venezuela. So we want to continue to be a good partner in that regard."

"I don't think that issue is going to feature very prominently in the future, because India was already moving towards diversification, and so as I said – and hopefully the war in Ukraine will end," he added.

On defense, Rubio identified it as a field where "we can build our partnership and our relationship," stating that "joint production" in the defense industry "would be ideal because India has tremendous capacity."

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