US secretary of state says only a few issues remain, signals potential breakthrough soon
The United States and India are close to concluding a trade agreement, with only a small number of issues remaining to be resolved, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during his visit to India.
“We’re about as close as you can be without an agreement,” Rubio told reporters, expressing optimism that a deal could be finalised soon.
“I think there’s a small number of items to wrap up, so I think that will happen shortly,” he said, adding that he hoped to announce positive news soon, potentially followed by the signing of the agreement.
Rubio made the remarks while outlining Washington’s broader engagement with New Delhi, describing India as a key strategic, commercial and defence partner.
The press conference was held at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in the Mumbai city on Tuesday evening.
He noted that India is the world’s most populous country and largest democracy, highlighting its importance to US economic and security interests.
The secretary of state also pointed to cooperation through the Quad, which brings together the United States, India, Japan and Australia, and said senior US officials had made several visits to India.
India’s External Affairs Minister had travelled to the United States four times during the year, Rubio said, arguing that Washington should engage with New Delhi even more frequently.
Although the State Department does not directly negotiate trade agreements, Rubio said he remained closely involved in the issue in his capacity as national security adviser.
Energy cooperation is also expected to feature prominently in discussions between the two countries, particularly as global oil supplies and prices face pressure from geopolitical conflicts.
Rubio said India could help expand the global supply of refined petroleum products by processing more Venezuelan crude oil, given its substantial refining capacity.
He said he would discuss the matter with Reliance Industries during a planned visit to its refinery in Jamnagar.
“India’s a refining superpower, and they have the ability to do that,” Rubio said, noting that Indian companies had processed Venezuelan crude in the past.
He added that increased Venezuelan oil production could provide some relief to global energy markets, although it would not, by itself, compensate for all potential supply disruptions.
However, existing US sanctions related to Venezuela could pose obstacles that would need to be addressed, he said.
Rubio also welcomed India’s efforts to diversify its energy sources, saying New Delhi had made substantial progress in reducing its dependence on Russian oil.
He said Washington supported India’s pursuit of a more diversified energy portfolio and viewed this as being in the interests of both countries.
Beyond trade and energy, Rubio discussed the war between Russia and Ukraine, saying he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for 45 minutes earlier in the day.
He rejected reports that Washington had deliberately restricted intelligence sharing with Ukraine or changed its broader military support, saying there had been no such directive from President Donald Trump.
Rubio acknowledged that the availability of air defence interceptors remained a challenge, as the United States and several partners, including Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Israel, sought the weapons.
He said the systems were expensive and took time to manufacture, requiring Washington to balance supplies against its own military requirements and commitments to allies.
Rubio also said the Trump administration remained frustrated by the lack of progress in negotiations to end the Ukraine war, stressing that a negotiated settlement was necessary to prevent further deaths and destruction.
He cited attacks on energy infrastructure and disruptions to oil supplies as additional reasons for ending the conflict.
Rubio also defended Trump's openness to a possible summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Ukraine and nuclear arms control.
He argued that dialogue among the world's three most powerful nuclear-armed countries could improve global security, even if their differences could not be resolved at a single meeting.
“I think the world is a safer place when the leaders of the most powerful nuclear arsenals in the world are at least communicating with one another,” Rubio said.
He acknowledged uncertainty over whether Beijing would agree to arms control discussions but said Washington should be willing to explore the possibility.
The remarks underscore the US administration's effort to link trade, energy security and strategic diplomacy as it seeks closer engagement with India while addressing conflicts and economic pressures elsewhere in the world.
