India–US Engagement Accelerates as Washington Eyes a Reset

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Urgent India–US engagement gathers pace after Jaishankar–Rubio talks, with energy security and Venezuelan crude emerging as a quiet driver

By TRH Foreign Affairs Desk

New Delhi, January 13, 2026 — India-US engagement seems to have acquired an urgency on the part of Washington. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke to his US counterpart Marco Rubio on Monday late evening. US Ambassador in New Delhi Sergio Gor announced that Jaishankar and Rubio could “meet next month.”

The pace of the repair works in ties has gained after the US carried out military operations in Venezuela to abduct its President Nicolás Maduro. Subsequently, the US is taking possession of millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil. India is a big buyer of crude oil. Geopolitics observers argue that Washinton is keen that India shift the oil buying preference to Washington for Venezuelan heavy crude.

Jaishankar in his post on X said that he and Rubio discussed a number of issues. “Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues,” he posted on X.

Union Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw attended a key ministerial meeting on critical minerals in Washington this week. His trip to Washington coincided with Gor taking his ambassadorial assignment in New Delhi. Gor is widely known as the most influential member of Trump’s inner team. He has also been described as a key confidante of Trump for appointments of senior members in the administration.

Gor in New Delhi after taking charge of his assignment said that “the US India relations are most consequential in this century.” He also stressed that India is the most important ally.

India and the US held another round of talks on trade negotiations this week. But the pace in repairing the ties in India-US relations evidently seem to be emanating from Washington. The notable urgency in Washington per observers hints at the Trump administration searching for buyers of the Venezuelan heavy crude.