New Delhi, Oct. 20 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said Washington will discuss refining more Venezuelan crude oil with Reliance Industries, describing India as a global "refining superpower".

Rubio, who is on a 3-day India visit, also expressed optimism about the India-US trade deal, saying the two sides are close to finalising the agreement.

"We'll talk with Reliance about refining more Venezuelan crude," Rubio said.

Asked what role India could play in meeting global energy demand, Rubio said the country has the capacity to refine heavy crude oil and has done so in the past.

"They[India] 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, i...