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Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani discussed energy investments, data centres and potential commercial partnerships with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a visit to Reliance Industries’ Jamnagar complex on October 21, as the Indian conglomerate showcased projects spanning conventional energy, new energy manufacturing and digital infrastructure.
Rubio and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited the facility in Gujarat, where Ambani and his son Anant Ambani outlined Reliance’s investments and long-term plans for the site. According to Reliance, the discussions covered global energy markets, reliable and affordable supplies, technology, supply chain resilience and opportunities for cooperation with American companies.
The company said the meeting explored commercial partnerships across conventional and new energy, but did not announce any new contract or investment agreement.
The visit followed Washington’s push for Reliance to process more Venezuelan crude. As previously reported by Billionaires.Africa, Rubio said the United States wanted Reliance to refine more oil from Venezuela and was open to discussing opportunities for the company to produce oil in the South American country.
Reliance operates two refineries at Jamnagar with a combined crude processing capacity of about 1.4 million barrels per day. Their ability to process heavy crude makes the complex relevant to discussions about Venezuelan oil supplies. However, no agreement to increase purchases or begin production in Venezuela was announced following Rubio’s visit.
The discussions also covered Reliance’s investments in new energy technologies and data centres. The visitors received an overview of the company’s new energy gigafactories, which are being commissioned in phases, and digital infrastructure projects under construction.
The data centre investments reflect the growing connection between energy supply and computing infrastructure as companies expand their artificial intelligence capabilities. Large facilities require substantial, dependable electricity supplies, making energy availability an important consideration in the development of digital infrastructure.
Reliance is already working with Meta on a 168-megawatt data centre in Jamnagar. Meta confirmed the project in June, describing it as its first AI-enabled data centre in India. Meta will lease capacity at the facility, with an option to expand.
Ambani also outlined a vision for Jamnagar to become a centre for advanced manufacturing, innovation and deep technology. Reliance said the discussions explored opportunities for American and Indian companies to combine their capabilities in technology, engineering and manufacturing.
The visit comes as Washington and New Delhi pursue closer commercial cooperation in energy and technology. Reliance’s refining operations and expanding digital infrastructure give the company interests in both areas, although the latest discussions have yet to produce a publicly announced deal.
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