'Will happen shortly': Rubio on US trade deal; calls India 'refining superpower'

US secretary of state Marco Rubio arrived in India on Tuesday and spoke about the trade and "strategic" relations with India and what they plan to do as he's set to meet EAM Jaishanakar. He also talked about the Russia oil buying, Ukraine war as he talked to reporters in Mumbai.About the trade agreement, while clarifying that state department is not responsible for that he said, "As far as the trade agreement is concerned, the State Department doesn't negotiate trade agreements, but we are very much involved in what's happening.

My counterpart, the National Security Advisor, and I care a lot about it. We're very, very close. I would say we're about as close as you can be without having executed the agreement. I think there's a small number of items left to wrap up, so I think that will happen shortly. We're hoping, which it should, and hopefully have some good news to announce soon and sign it thereafter.

So, we're very optimistic that we will have something in place here very soon."However, he also said that Us delegation "will discuss with Reliance about producing oil in Venezuela", claiming that "India made 'substantial progress' in diversifying oil purchases" which is a "smart thing to do".On being 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 capability to refine heavy crude. They've done so in the past, and I think as more and more Venezuelan oil comes online, it's something they can do. They also, by the way, have pre-existing oil concessions in Venezuela that can produce more themselves.""So, all these are positive things. I'm not claiming to you that Venezuela alone can fill the hole that could be caused by some of the things that are happening around the world, but I think over time, it most certainly can, and in the short term, it can certainly help.

So, that's one of the things we'll talk about. With India, we've talked about it in the past, and they sound ready. They're willing to do it. There might be a few impediments that stand in the way in terms of sanctions and so forth that we'll have to work through," he added.He also talked about his India visit adding, "First of all, I will point out that the Foreign Minister of India has been to the United States four times this year.

This is the most populous country in the world. It's the largest democracy in the world. It's an important commercial partner and business partner of the United States. We also do a lot of defense cooperation. They're a key member of the Quad. They're a strong strategic partner. I actually don't think we've come enough, and I think we need to have more of them."Rubio also addressed other geopolitical situations like the Ukraine war, US arms control.'Nothing being deliberately denied to Ukraine'Rubio clarified that 'nothing being deliberately denied' to Ukraine after reports emerged that Trump administration has not approved the transfer of Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine from countries that have already acquired the American-made weapons.

He further added that Trump is 'frustrated' at accusations he harming Ukraine.'China, Russia, US arms control talks would help world'Rubio told reporters on Tuesday that an arms control discussion between China, Russia and the United States would be a positive thing for the world.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.