TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States will not allow Iran to hold global energy markets “hostage” in the dispute between Tehran and Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday, May 23, Rubio also emphasized the potential of US energy products to diversify India’s energy supply, State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
The issue is of concern as India resumed oil purchases from Iran this year—after a seven-year hiatus—following the US lifting sanctions on Tehran’s oil exports amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
During bilateral talks, Rubio and Modi agreed to deepen trade and defense cooperation and accelerate collaboration on critical and emerging technologies.
In an interview with CNN-News18, Rubio said the issue surrounding Russian oil purchases was not about India.
“It was about a desire to impose a cost on Russia because of the war in Ukraine, and India just happens to be a big purchaser, but it was never aimed at India per se,” Rubio said.
“There’s been some new dynamics in place nonetheless since that time…, We’ve also seen an opportunity for India to continue ... its plan … to diversify its energy sources. And that includes the United States and potentially some other countries like Venezuela. So we want to continue to be a good partner in that regard," he added.
Rubio said the defense sector would be one of the key areas for development between Washington and New Delhi.
"Joint production between the US and India regarding the defense industry “would be ideal because India has tremendous capacity," he said.
Read: US, Iran Strike Upbeat Tone as Hormuz Deal Takes Shape
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