US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in India. On Wednesday they are going to a place that hardly anyone expected. A small coastal town in western India, home to the world’s largest oil refinery complex. A billionaire in the city of Jamnagar in the Indian state of Gujarat Mukesh Ambani No Reliance Industries There is a huge refining complex. Rubio’s visit comes at a time when the US is looking for new markets for Venezuelan crude. The visit also reflects the growing importance of energy investment in relations between Washington and New Delhi. Let’s find out what Rubio’s visit to Jamnagar means…
Video | Gujarat: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reached Jamnagar.
(Full video available on PTI Videos –
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 21, 2026
Oil is the most important
Rubio’s visit to the Jamnagar plant comes at a time when Washington is pressing India to diversify its energy sources by reducing energy imports from Russia. In addition, the US is also looking for new markets for oil production in Venezuela, given its increasing production.
On Tuesday, Rubio said he would discuss with Reliance to increase processing of Venezuelan crude oil. Describing India as a “refining superpower”, he said India could play an important role in increasing global oil supply as crude oil production in Venezuela increases.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Tuesday, he said they have the capacity to refine heavy crude. They’ve done this before, and I think with more oil coming from Venezuela, they could absolutely do it.
#View | MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA: Asked about his visit to Jamnagar tomorrow, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, “I just answered that, to make energy useful, you have to refine it. You have a company with a huge amount of refining capacity. I think I should talk to them, especially when it involves nation-states… We’re going to see a company that has the most capacity of all the capabilities. Something for the world to understand or if It’s very hard to see what the possibilities are if you don’t talk to them.”
— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2026
Jamnagar Refinery can be the world’s trouble-maker
Rubio said his visit to Jamnagar will provide an opportunity to understand how large-scale refining capacity can help countries concerned about energy security. Wars with Iran and Yemen and threats to sea lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea have heightened this concern.
Rubio said energy is related to national security. For example, countries fight wars over energy. Economy can collapse due to energy shortage. So, we’re going to look at a company that has tremendous refining capacity, so it makes perfect sense to talk to them about that.
According to the company, the Jamnagar refinery has a capacity to process around 1.4 million barrels of crude oil per day. Through its facilities, crude oil is converted into fuels such as gasoline and diesel. In addition, it also produces petrochemical products, which are used to make plastics, synthetic fibers and other industrial materials.
The large-scale and advanced technology of the refinery comes into play when oil availability and prices change due to geopolitical turmoil or sanctions. Rubio said Venezuelan oil alone could not compensate for potential supply disruptions elsewhere, but increased production could provide some temporary relief.
#View | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Asked what role India can play in meeting the world’s energy demand, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, “… India is a refining superpower. They have the capacity to refine heavy crude. They have done that in the past, and I think as more and more Venezuelan oil comes online, they can do something. They can also produce Venezuelan oil. So, These are all positive things that I’m not telling you that can happen to Venezuela alone because of what’s happening around the world, but in the short term, it can help with terms of sanctions and so on…”
— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2026
This refinery is the most important asset for Ambani
Rubio’s visit also shows the influence of Reliance and company chief Mukesh Ambani. Rubio is going to meet him in Jamnagar. Reliance Industries is one of the largest private sector business groups in India. Its business is spread across sectors like petrochemical, oil and gas, telecom, retail and new energy.
The company is also contributing to the US administration’s efforts to increase domestic energy production in America. In March, US President Donald Trump announced a proposed $300 billion refinery project in Brownsville, Texas, backed by Reliance Industries.
The Jamnagar refinery is the core of the company’s energy business, strengthening Reliance Industries’ position in the global oil market. But the city has become famous for reasons other than energy.
In March 2024, Ambani’s youngest son Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant had a grand pre-wedding ceremony. In which big businessmen, celebrities and leading politicians from all over the world participated. These events highlighted the family’s wealth and international connections, and brought unprecedented publicity to the city.
Since then, the Ambani family has also organized many other grand family and festive events in Jamnagar. In doing so, they have established the oil refinery as their crown jewel, transforming this industrial hub into a global showcase of Reliance Industries’ wealth and influence.
