Jamnagar: On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reached the huge campus of Reliance Industries in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Here Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani and his family welcomed the American delegation. Rubio visited Vantara, the world’s largest single-site oil refining complex, wildlife rescue and conservation center and Reliance’s new green energy manufacturing hub. This visit has taken place at a time when America is trying to increase trade with India. Rubio stayed in Jamnagar for a few hours and then left for America.
Ambani family welcomed Rubio
Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani and Executive Director Anant Ambani welcomed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore. Rubio was also accompanied by his wife Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio. Both the guests visited the premises of the world’s largest refinery and learned about its modern technology, huge capacity and integrated operations. He was also briefed about Reliance’s new energy gigafactories and data centers under construction.
Discussion took place on everything from energy supply to supply chain.
Investment in energy and digital infrastructure, affordable and reliable energy supply, modern technology and strong supply chains were discussed during the visit. Mukesh Ambani and Anant Ambani shared long-term plans to make Jamnagar a hub of deep-tech, innovation and modern manufacturing. Possibilities of business cooperation with American companies in the field of traditional and new energy were also discussed in the meeting. Akash Ambani, elder son of Mukesh Ambani and managing director of Jio Platforms, was monitoring the preparations for the company’s IPO during this time.
Rubio has described India as a superpower of oil refining.
A day before reaching Jamnagar, Rubio had described India as a superpower in the matter of crude oil refining. He also appealed to India to increase the processing of crude oil coming from Venezuela. America wants India to refine more crude oil coming from the Western Hemisphere and increase the purchase of American energy products. Reliance’s Jamnagar complex has the capacity to process about 14 lakh barrels of crude oil per day. Apart from India, the diesel and other refined products produced here are also sent to international markets.
The tour took place amid rising prices of American diesel.
Rubio’s visit to Jamnagar comes amid growing concerns over diesel prices ahead of the midterm elections in the US. The price of diesel in America has reached $6.28 per gallon. In such a situation, America wants to increase cooperation with India’s huge refining capacity, so that the availability of fuel in the international market can be increased by refining crude oil on a large scale. America is trying to help reduce pressure on fuel prices through cooperation in energy trading and refining.
Mukesh Ambani discussing with Marco Rubio and Sergio Gore.
Reliance refinery is being opened in Texas
Reliance is also involved in a proposed new refinery in Brownsville, Texas, US. This project is being developed by American company America First Refining. Its proposed capacity is to process 1 lakh 68 thousand barrels of crude oil daily. It is being prepared to refine light shale crude produced in America. When completed, the project will be the first major new refinery to be built in the US in nearly five decades. Reliance has also entered into a long-term agreement to purchase refined products from this plant.
Meeting with Jaishankar in Mumbai, discussion on trade deal also
Before the Jamnagar visit, Rubio met External Affairs Minister S. Had met Jaishankar. A wide range of issues including bilateral cooperation, energy, trade, investment, defense and critical technologies were discussed between the two leaders. Efforts are also underway to resolve differences regarding the trade agreement between India and America. Rubio had said that now only a few issues are left in the agreement. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump also gave a big statement on the India-America trade deal. According to Trump, both the countries are very close to an agreement and this trade deal will be different from the previous agreement.
Also read: Big statement by US Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, said- US relations with Pakistan will not be at the expense of India.
SK Sharma is a content writer who writes on news, entertainment, and lifestyle topics. She has over four years of experience and is known for conveying information in simple and clear language.
