PM Modi, Rodriguez Hold Talks To Boost India-Venezuela Energy, Trade Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Venezuelan Acting President and Vice President Delcy Rodriguez in New Delhi, with discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in energy, trade and investment as India seeks to expand engagement with the South American nation.

Delcy Rodriguez, who arrived in the Indian capital on Wednesday for a five-day visit, is leading a high-level delegation comprising ministers responsible for foreign affairs, economy and finance, science and technology, communication and information and transportation. The visit is aimed at reviewing the full spectrum of bilateral relations and identifying new areas of collaboration.

During their meeting, PM Modi and Delcy Rodriguez discussed ways to deepen cooperation in energy

security, trade, investment, healthcare, transportation and other strategic sectors. Officials said the talks reflected the growing importance of India-Venezuela ties amid evolving global energy dynamics.

The meeting comes as India looks to strengthen energy cooperation with Venezuela while diversifying crude oil supplies amid disruptions in global energy markets. Indian refiners have significantly increased purchases of Venezuelan crude in recent months, making the Latin American country one of India’s key oil suppliers.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Delcy Rodriguez’s visit would further deepen bilateral relations and build on the momentum in the partnership between the two countries.

Delcy Rodriguez assumed charge as Venezuela’s acting president following the detention of then President Nicolas Maduro by US forces in January. Since then, New Delhi and Caracas have sought to expand cooperation across a range of sectors while reviving energy ties. India was once among the largest processors of Venezuelan heavy crude, importing more than 400,000 barrels per day at peak levels. However, imports stopped in 2020 following sweeping US sanctions and associated compliance risks.