India and the United States have taken steps to expand cooperation in energy and defence despite ongoing tensions in their bilateral relationship. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived in India for a three-day visit, urged New Delhi to broaden energy trade and increase its purchases of American technologies and systems.
 

Rubio's visit comes amid strained relations over Washington's unpredictable trade policies and stricter immigration rules. It is his second visit to India in five months.
 

Rubio Calls India a Refining Powerhouse
 

Before meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Rubio described India as a powerhouse in crude oil refining and advocated greater processing of Venezuelan crude oil in the country.
 

Rubio is scheduled to visit Reliance Industries Limited's Jamnagar refinery on Wednesday.
 

Addressing questions about the proposed India-US trade agreement, Rubio said discussions on a few outstanding issues remained to be completed. However, he expressed confidence that the agreement would be finalised soon.
 

Talks Focus on Trade, Energy and Defence
 

Following his meeting with Rubio, Jaishankar said on social media that the two leaders had exchanged views on taking bilateral relations forward, with particular attention to trade, energy, technology, defence and people-to-people ties.
 

According to the US State Department, the two foreign ministers also discussed regional and global issues, including recent developments in West Asia.
 

The discussions come as both countries seek to strengthen economic and strategic cooperation despite differences over trade and energy policies.
 

US Supports India's Efforts to Diversify Energy Sources
 

Responding to a question about India's purchases of Russian oil, Rubio said New Delhi had repeatedly expressed its intention to diversify its energy portfolio, describing the approach as sensible.
 

He acknowledged that such a transition could not happen overnight but said India had made considerable progress in that direction.
 

Rubio emphasised that the issue was not limited to Russian oil but also concerned India's broader efforts to diversify its energy supplies. He said the United States believed it could play a role in meeting India's energy requirements.
 

He added that discussions had covered Venezuela and other countries, noting that stronger cooperation on diversified energy supplies would serve the interests of both nations.
 

Rubio Pays Tribute to 26/11 Mumbai Attack Victims
 

Before holding formal talks with Jaishankar, Rubio visited the Taj Memorial in Mumbai and paid tribute to the victims of the November 26, 2008, terrorist attacks. The victims included five American citizens.
 

Rubio arrived in Mumbai from Uzbekistan on Tuesday for his three-day visit to India. His earlier visit, five months ago, was his first trip to the country since becoming US Secretary of State.
 

His engagements are expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in energy, defence, technology and trade.