India news: Rubio set to hold talks with S Jaishankar

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit the world's largest oil refinery in India's Jamnagar, which is owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
• Cockroach Janta Party leaders remain in custody
• At least three people were killed in India's northeastern state of Manipur as clashes broke out between ethnic communities

Here's a roundup of our coverage from India on Tuesday, October 20:

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Skip next section Rubio heads to India for talks on trade, energy and emerging technologies

October 20, 2026

Rubio heads to India for talks on trade, energy and emerging technologies

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to land in Mumbai as he begins his second official trip to India this year and holds talks with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

The meeting between Rubio and Jaishankar is expected to focus on "energy, trade and investment, defense, critical and emerging technologies," according to a report in the Indian newspaper The Indian Express.

During his visit, Rubio is also expected to travel to Jamnagar, in the western state of Gujarat, where he is set to visit billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance oil refinery.

Rubio's trip comes amid tensions in relations between the US and India over visa restrictions and tariff threats.

However, speaking in Samarkand on Monday, Rubio said Washington and New Delhi were "very close" to an agreement. The visit is being seen as part of a US effort to repair ties.

How India has become Russia's trade lifeline

The trip also comes days after the US paused sanctions on Russian oil imports.

Speaking in Samarkand, Rubio also said the US had considered the India-US trade deal when deciding to waive sanctions on Russian oil. India is a major importer of Russian oil.

Rubio said Washington had to juggle multiple factors "including our bilateral relationships with other countries and what they realistically are capable of being able to do in terms of their own energy supplies."

"You also can't unravel the economy of other countries because of one central issue," he said.

https://p.dw.com/p/5ORp1

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage

October 20, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Hello! This is Midhat from DW's New Delhi bureau, bringing you the latest updates from across India.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to arrive in India, where he'll meet Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Mumbai. The visit comes a day after Rubio said trade deal talks between India and the United States are close to being wrapped up.

Meanwhile, in Delhi, Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka will remain in custody after a court extended their judicial custody beyond the initial five-day period. Delhi Police has also transferred the case to its crime branch.