US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani during his India visit from October 17 to 22, 2026, signalling continued engagement between Washington and one of India’s largest business groups. The planned meeting comes amid a public dispute between Elon Musk and Ambani over Starlink’s entry into India’s satellite internet market.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor indicated that Rubio would travel to Jamnagar, Gujarat, home to Reliance’s major oil refining complex, where he is expected to meet Reliance representatives. The visit is part of broader efforts to strengthen commercial ties and explore opportunities for energy cooperation between India and the United States.
Energy Cooperation in Focus
The planned engagement comes as Reliance is linked to a proposed new oil refinery in the United States. The facility is expected to process around 168,000 barrels of American shale oil per day, with Reliance having signed a long-term agreement to purchase fuel produced there. The project has become part of the wider energy cooperation agenda between the two countries.
Rubio’s visit is expected to include discussions with senior Indian officials on the bilateral strategic partnership, regional and global developments, energy cooperation and commercial investment. His meeting with Reliance representatives is likely to place the company’s role in cross-border energy investment in focus.
Musk-Ambani Dispute Adds Context
The anticipated meeting comes after Musk publicly criticised Ambani over delays in obtaining approval for Starlink’s commercial satellite internet services in India. Musk questioned whether Reliance was benefiting from regulatory barriers to competition.
Reliance responded that it welcomes competition in satellite communications and that all operators, including its own Jio satellite venture, must comply with Indian laws and policies. The Indian government has said satellite operators are subject to regulatory and security procedures.
Satellite Internet Competition in India
Starlink, Reliance Jio and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb are seeking to expand satellite connectivity services in India. The market could serve remote communities and locations where terrestrial broadband infrastructure is limited, although commercial launches depend on the relevant regulatory clearances.
The dispute has drawn attention to the balance between competition, regulation and market access in India’s emerging satellite communications sector. Rubio’s expected meeting with Ambani is being viewed in the context of Washington’s continued commercial engagement with Reliance, even as Musk’s criticism adds a separate layer to the public debate.
