US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Reliance Industries’ Jamnagar complex in Gujarat on Wednesday, bringing energy cooperation and investment ties between Washington and New Delhi into focus.
Rubio toured the world’s largest single-site oil-refining complex, the Vantara wildlife conservation centre and Reliance’s emerging clean-energy manufacturing hub, people familiar with the visit said. Accompanied by his wife, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio, he spent several hours at the facility before departing for the United States.
The visit comes as the Trump administration seeks greater access to India’s refining capacity, increased purchases of American energy and more investment by Indian companies in the United States.
Reliance Jamnagar visit focuses on energy and investment
Reliance Industries said Rubio and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor received briefings on its new energy giga-factories, which are being commissioned in phases, and data centres under construction.
Discussions covered global energy markets, commercial partnerships across conventional and new energy, affordable energy supplies, technological advances and resilient supply chains.
The talks also examined the growing connection between energy and digital infrastructure, including the importance of reliable electricity for data centres and the expanding digital economy.
Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani and Anant Ambani shared perspectives on collaboration with US companies in technology, engineering and advanced manufacturing, the company said.
The visit was described by officials as private. Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, Isha Ambani, Anand Piramal, Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant were among those who welcomed the delegation.
US seeks greater access to India’s refining capacity
Rubio’s visit followed his description of India as a crude-refining superpower and his call for the country to process more Venezuelan oil.
Reliance’s Jamnagar complex can process around 1.4 million barrels of crude oil daily. Its ability to handle a wide range of crude grades makes it an important player in global refined-fuel markets.
Washington is seeking to encourage more Indian purchases of Western Hemisphere crude while expanding American energy exports.
Gor said US liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) had increased sharply as a share of India’s imports.
“Over the past year, India’s imports of US LPG have surged from under 10 per cent to 67 per cent, making the United States India’s largest LPG supplier,” he said in a post on X.
Rubio also told Reliance-owned Network18 that Washington wanted to work more closely with the company on refining energy from the Western Hemisphere. He described such cooperation as beneficial to both countries.
However, shifting crude sourcing involves commercial considerations beyond geopolitical priorities. Russian crude accounted for around one-third of Jamnagar’s feedstock during July-September 2026, according to the report. Crude prices, freight costs, refinery requirements and alternative supplies will influence future sourcing decisions.
Reliance’s Texas refinery adds to bilateral energy links
Reliance’s proposed refinery in Brownsville, Texas, adds a potential investment dimension to the relationship.
The 168,000-barrel-a-day project is being developed by America First Refining and is designed to process US-produced light shale crude. If completed, it would be the first major new US refinery in about five decades.
Reliance has signed a long-term agreement to purchase the plant’s refined products. The project could expand US refining capacity while giving Reliance another link in its international energy operations.
US officials have also highlighted the potential for the investment to increase domestic energy production and create jobs.
Clean energy and wildlife conservation also feature
The visit showcased Reliance’s investments beyond conventional oil refining.
The Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex is being developed across a 5,000-acre site at an estimated cost of Rs 75,000 crore. The planned facilities will bring together manufacturing of solar modules, battery storage systems, fuel cells, electrolysers and power electronics, according to people familiar with the project.
Rubio also visited Vantara, the wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre operated by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation. The facility spans around 3,000 acres in Jamnagar.
The itinerary highlighted Reliance’s activities across energy, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and conservation.
Visit follows Rubio’s talks with Jaishankar
Rubio’s Jamnagar visit followed his meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Their discussions covered bilateral cooperation in energy, trade, investment, defence and critical technologies. The two governments are also working to resolve outstanding differences over a trade agreement.
Rubio said only a small number of issues remained unresolved.
For Washington, Reliance offers a potential partner for processing Western Hemisphere crude and expanding US energy exports. For Reliance, stronger commercial ties could diversify supply options and support its investment plans in the United States.
For India, the challenge remains balancing closer economic ties with Washington against the need to retain flexibility in energy sourcing.
