New Delhi, Oct. 20 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday expressed optimism about the India-US trade deal, saying the two sides were "very, very close" to finalising the agreement, while signalling Washington's interest in expanding energy cooperation with Reliance Industries, including the refining of Venezuelan crude oil.

Rubio, who arrived in Mumbai on October 20 for a three-day visit, described India as a global "refining superpower" and said Washington would discuss opportunities for Reliance to process more Venezuelan crude at its Indian refineries.

He also indicated that the Indian conglomerate could explore producing oil in Venezuela.

The visit comes at a sensitive juncture in India-US relations, with trade disputes a...