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It comes amid mounting concerns for India, which imports 80% of its crude oil needs, as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to affect energy flows.

“The US will not let Iran hold the global energy market hostage,” Rubio told PM Modi. The energy pitch comes as the US, which took control of Venezuela’s oil industry following the capture of former President Nicolas Maduro, appears eager to push Venezuelan crude back onto the global market. PM Modi, in his post on X, added that issues related to regional and global peace and security were also discussed, indicating that the Iran conflict was among the topics that came up.

The timing is crucial amid reports that Trump was considering relaunching strikes on Iran after talks for a peace deal, which is being mediated by Pakistan, failed to bear any fruit. “We discussed sustained progress in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and issues related to regional and global peace and security,” PM Modi tweeted. “India and the United States will continue to work closely for the global good,” he further said.