Mumbai/New Delhi: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday described India as a refining superpower, adding that the US delegation will discuss with Reliance about producing oil in Venezuela. Moments later, US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, without naming Pakistan, dropped a chilling message on terrorism soon after visiting the Mumbai attacks memorial site.
India is a refining superpower: Rubio
Asked what role India can play in meeting the world's energy demand, Rubio, who arrived in Mumbai this afternoon on a three-day India visit, said, "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," Rubio told reporters in Mumbai. He said 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 said. Rubio said the 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".
US' stark reminder to Pakistan
Moments later, Gor posted images of Rubio and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the 26/11 memorial at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel to pay tribute to the victims of the Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. He said the America is with India in a fight against terrorism-- a stark message to Pakistan amid ease in relations with Islamabad The American side recognises the courage of Indian security forces. “The United States and India remain resolute in confronting terrorism in all its forms,” Gor said in a stark message to Islamabad.
The 26/11 attacks were a coordinated series of 12 Islamic terrorist and bombing attacks carried out in Mumbai, from 26 to 29 November 2008 by ten members of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. More than 270 innocent people lost their lives in the Pakistan-sponsored attacks. The Taj Hotel in Mumbai, where Rubio is leading the American delegation today, is the same place where the terrorists carried out one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Indian history.
(With inputs from agencies)
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