Rubio pitches Venezuela crude to India as refining match

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio proposed that India process more Venezuelan crude oil to diversify its energy supplies and reduce dependence on Russian oil, during a visit to Reliance's Jamnagar refinery. Rubio called India a "refining superpower" capable of handling Venezuela's heavy, sulphur-rich crude, which requires specialised facilities like Jamnagar. He framed energy as tied to national security, while experts noted commercial viability depends on costs, production increases, and US sanctions policy. Venezuela holds vast reserves but faces underinvestment and infrastructure issues limiting output. Analysts say only a few Indian refineries can process its crude, and any shift would be gradual, not an immediate replacement for Russian supplies.