Rubio Arrives in Mumbai for Jaishankar Talks, With Trade Deal and Russian Oil on the Table

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday, starting a visit built around one question: can the United States and India finish the trade deal both sides say is almost done, and settle the fight over India's purchases of Russian oil at the same time.

Rubio landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, accompanied by his wife, Jeanette Rubio, and the US ambassador to India, Sergio Gor. Gor posted on X that he was pleased to be back in Mumbai with the secretary of state and looked forward to a productive visit advancing US and India ties. It is Rubio's second visit to India.

Later in the day, Rubio was scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The agenda, as India's foreign ministry set it out on October 16, covers energy, trade, investment, defence, critical and emerging technologies, and other areas of shared interest, plus regional and global developments. The ministry said the visit gives both sides a chance to review the relationship and strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Trade deal in reach, oil in the room

Rubio arrived days after President Donald Trump delayed tariffs on US imports from India, as the two countries work to finalize a trade agreement. In recent days, Rubio and other US officials have said a comprehensive trade deal is almost complete, raising the possibility that it could be signed during this visit.

Energy sits inside that negotiation, not beside it. During the visit, Rubio travels on to Jamnagar in Gujarat, an important energy hub and home to the world's largest refining complex, run by Reliance Industries. He is set to meet Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani there. Russian oil is on the agenda, Reuters reported, because India's buying of Russian crude has been one of the hardest points between Washington and New Delhi.

Ahead of Rubio's arrival, Jaishankar met a US congressional delegation in Mumbai and posted on X that they discussed trade, energy, security and technology, and the ease of doing business in India. The delegation included Representatives Jason Smith, David Schweikert, Elise Stefanik, Andy Ogles and Sydney Friedman.

Mumbai programme

Rubio's Mumbai schedule also includes laying a wreath at the 26/11 memorial at the Taj Hotel and attending the Freedom 250 reception. He is also expected to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during his time in the city.

The visit runs from October 20 to October 22, with the Mumbai leg first and Jamnagar next. What comes out of the Jaishankar talks will show whether the trade deal talk turns into a signed agreement on this trip, or whether the oil question still holds it up.