Secretary of State Marco Rubio in remarks to the press at Miami Homestead Airport May 21, said Washington was keen to do more with India on the oil supply and other fronts.
Asked what the US could do for India which was ‘deeply affected’ by the Hormuz Strait shutdown, Secretary Rubio said, “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 U.S. production and U.S. export.”
Rubio went on to add, “We want to be able to do more. We were already in talks with them to do more. We want to be a bigger part of their – of their portfolio.”
The Secretary noted that there was also an opportunity for India to avail of Venezuelan oil.
“We also think there’s an opportunity with Venezuelan oil. In fact, it’s my understanding that the interim president of Venezuela will be traveling to India next week as well. So, there’s opportunities.”
He went on to say, “There’s a lot to work on with India. They’re a great ally, a great partner; we do a lot of good work with them.”
Of his upcoming trip to India for which he leaves May 23, Rubio said, “And so, this is an important trip. I’m glad we’re able to do it, and I think there’ll be a lot to talk about.”
He also drew attention to the meeting of The Quad members Australia, Japan, India and US, during his trip.
“And we’ll also meet with the Quad there, which is important. It’s something – I think my first meeting as Secretary of State was with the Quad. So I believe, like, I went in and got sworn in, I did the thing in the lobby, and then I went right upstairs and that was my first meeting. And I’m glad that we’re able to do it now in India, and we’re going to do one later in India as well.”
