Jamnagar: US Secretary of State Rubio Skips New Delhi for Ambani's Refinery; 'Modi Raas' Lights Up Navratri
Jamnagar, home to the world's largest oil refinery complex operated by Reliance Industries, made international headlines in October 2026 when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to the city — bypassing the capital New Delhi — drew commentary on the evolving nature of US-India economic diplomacy. Meanwhile, the city's Navratri celebrations featured a beloved local tradition.
🏢 US Secretary of State Rubio to Visit Jamnagar's Reliance Refinery, Skipping New Delhi
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's India visit itinerary notably included Jamnagar — home to Reliance Industries' Jamnagar Refinery Complex — while skipping a formal engagement in New Delhi, according to The Hindu and multiple national outlets. The decision to visit Jamnagar and meet industrialist Mukesh Ambani at the refinery, alongside a planned stop in Mumbai, sparked widespread commentary on the significance of business-focused diplomacy in US-India relations. Jamnagar's Reliance refinery is not merely an industrial facility but a geopolitical symbol: it is the world's largest oil refinery complex by capacity, and its role in processing Russian crude following the Ukraine war has been a subject of ongoing discussion in Western policy circles. CNBC reported Rubio's planned visit to the Ambani refinery, noting its relevance to discussions about Indian energy procurement, Russian oil, and trade dependencies. Rubio's choice to engage directly with Indian industry at Jamnagar, in parallel with diplomatic meetings in Mumbai with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, was read by analysts as a signal of American interest in economic engagement at the highest private-sector level in India, alongside traditional government-to-government channels. India Today provided broader context on the significance of the Jamnagar visit alongside developments related to the Fairfax-IDBI stake deal and other diplomatic currents, while TheWire offered a critical reading of the optics of a US Secretary of State prioritising the home base of one of India's most powerful industrialists over the seat of government. [1]
🪔 'Modi Raas': Jamnagar's 14-Year Navratri Tradition With Amit Mandalia Captivates Thousands
Jamnagar's Navratri celebrations have for the past fourteen years featured an extraordinary local performer: Amit Mandalia, who dresses in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attire and performs a unique version of the traditional Raas dance known as 'Modi Raas', according to Asianet Newsable. Mandalia dances with a burning incense pot balanced on his head — a feat of skill and balance — during the grand Garba celebrations organised by the Chamunda Yuvak Mandal near Pancheshwar Tower in Jamnagar. His performance has become an integral part of the city's Navratri identity, drawing large crowds and wide media attention each year. The 'Modi Raas' represents the blending of regional folk tradition with contemporary cultural referencing, as Navratri — particularly in Gujarat — is celebrated with great intensity and artistic creativity. Jamnagar, as one of Gujarat's culturally vibrant cities, hosts some of the state's most celebrated Garba events during Navratri's nine nights. The performance's longevity — fourteen consecutive years — and its scale of public reception reflect the deep embeddedness of Navratri festivity in Jamnagar's social and cultural life. For the Gujarati diaspora worldwide, viral clips of events like the Modi Raas serve as cultural touchpoints that connect communities to the exuberant traditions of their homeland. [7]
Sources: [1] The Hindu · [7] Asianet Newsable