The Trump administration wants to boost energy exports to India, the US Ambassador to India said on Wednesday, ahead of a multi-day visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to India, Bloomberg News reported.
“India has been receptive to diversification, and what that means is buying more American energy,” Sergio Gor told Bloomberg in a phone interview. “People have been very receptive to buying from the United States, and we’ve been very happy with that.”
According to a Bloomberg News report, India has been grappling with energy supply pressures following the nearly three-month-long conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel. Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial global shipping route for oil and gas — has sharply disrupted supplies and pushed Brent crude prices up by more than 50% since the conflict began.
Asked about the impact of the crisis on India, Gor said, “The blame is not on the United States,” while also noting that the US Treasury Department has allowed India to continue purchasing Russian oil that would otherwise face sanctions.
India remains heavily dependent on energy imports, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, which accounted for nearly 90% of the country’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports before the conflict.
Data from Kpler cited by Bloomberg News showed India is expected to import record volumes of LPG and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US in May, underscoring Washington’s growing role in India’s energy security strategy.
“The US, as growing exporter of oil and LNG, will naturally have its sights on Asia and within the region, especially India and China,” said Vandana Hari, founder of analysis firm Vanda Insights. “Washington must see India as an easier market to penetrate and grow in.”
The US State Department said Rubio’s visit will focus on energy security, trade and defence cooperation. Gor added that Rubio is also expected to meet counterparts from the Quad grouping comprising India, Japan and Australia.
“The big thing that we want to showcase here is how vitally important this relationship is for both sides,” Gor said. Rubio’s trip is “an indication of the interest, and also the partnership that we have, that we want to grow.”
Gor said announcements related to the Quad would be made during the visit, although he declined to reveal details so as not to “preempt” the discussions. He highlighted growing cooperation in technology-sharing and military sales between the two countries.
Rubio’s four-day visit to New Delhi, Kolkata, Agra and Jaipur beginning Saturday marks one of his lengthiest foreign trips since taking office, Bloomberg News reported.
The report also noted that Gor has been working to ease strains in US-India ties following disagreements over India-Pakistan tensions and trade disputes linked to India’s purchases of Russian oil.
Trump had earlier imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods over India’s imports of Russian crude, though the US later eased its position amid supply disruptions caused by the Iran conflict.
Gor said ongoing trade negotiations between Washington and New Delhi were nearing completion. He said he helped provide “the little final push” toward an interim trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs on Indian goods, adding that the deal is expected to be signed “very soon” once legal formalities are completed.
The proposed trade arrangement is also expected to include higher Indian purchases of US energy. However, Hari cautioned that logistical and refining challenges may limit a long-term shift in buying patterns.
“The longer distances and higher freight costs, plus the low suitability of the US’ mostly light-sweet grades for Indian refiners are key considerations,” she said. “So, promises might be made, but how much the buying patterns shift for the long term is a question-mark.”
Gor also highlighted $20.5 billion in investments announced this month by Indian companies in the US, with a majority concentrated in the pharmaceutical sector.