Marco Rubio

The External Affairs Minister also highlighted the connection between peace, economic progress and shared prosperity, warning that uneven development in an interconnected world could fuel persistent instability.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says only a few issues stand in the way of an agreement. Tariffs, energy trade and Indias efforts to diversify crude oil supplies featured in the bilateral talks.

Between temporary sanction waivers and the lure of a landmark trade deal, Marco Rubio’s high-stakes India visit tests whether Washington is genuinely softening its stance on India or simply playing a leverage.

Russian crude made up around 35% of India’s oil imports last month, complicating Washington’s plans to penalise major buyers of Moscow’s energy. New Delhi says its purchasing policy prioritises the energy needs of 1.4 billion people and protects the country’s trade interests.