Venezuelan Acting President To Visit India From June 3-7, Bilateral Talks With PM Modi On Cards

Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez will arrive in India on Wednesday for a five-day visit that is expected to place a strong emphasis on expanding energy cooperation, as New Delhi looks to diversify its crude oil supplies amid disruptions caused by the West Asia crisis.

The visit, scheduled from June 3 to 7, comes at a time when India is stepping up crude procurement from Venezuela following the lifting of US sanctions after the detention of former president Nicolas Maduro earlier this year. India, which was once a major buyer of Venezuelan heavy crude, is seeking to restore and expand that relationship to bolster its energy security.

Talks On Energy, Trade And Investment Expected

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal

said Rodriguez will hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Indian leaders. “The discussions would involve the full spectrum of India-Venezuela relations and explore avenues for further cooperation in areas of energy security, trade and investment, pharmaceuticals, health care, transportation, and renewable energy,” he said.

Beyond energy, the two sides are expected to explore ways to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, pharmaceuticals, and technology. The Venezuelan delegation will also visit several sites connected with the energy, pharmaceuticals and automobile sectors to gain insights into India’s technological and industrial capabilities and to identify potential areas for collaboration.

Rodriguez assumed charge as Venezuela’s acting president after Maduro was detained by US forces in January. India, which had stopped importing Venezuelan oil in 2020 due to sweeping US sanctions and rising compliance risks, has recently resumed purchases. At its peak, India imported more than 400,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan heavy crude.

According to Jaiswal, Indian oil marketing companies have significantly ramped up crude sourcing from Venezuela in recent weeks, largely in response to supply uncertainties triggered by the West Asia crisis.

Rodriguez will be accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes the ministers of foreign affairs, economy and finance, science and technology, communication and information, and transportation. “India has been an important partner of Venezuela in the areas of energy and investment. Indian PSUs have made significant investment in Venezuela in the energy sector and they are keen to explore opportunities for further enhancing their presence,” Jaiswal said.

Rodriguez’s Sixth Visit To India

Rodriguez is no stranger to India, having visited earlier as Venezuela’s foreign minister in 2015 and later as vice president in 2019, 2023, 2024, and 2025. Her latest visit was originally planned around participation in the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) Summit on June 1, which has since been deferred.

Responding to a question on whether the issue of over USD 500 million in dividends owed to ONGC Videsh by Venezuela would be raised during the talks, Jaiswal indicated that it is likely to be on the agenda. “Venezuela is an important energy partner for India. Issues relating to energy security, the interests of our public sector undertakings, and several other trade and investment matters will be discussed,” he said, adding that “all these issues, including the one you mentioned, are expected to be discussed.”

India and Venezuela share longstanding ties, with a major boost to the relationship provided by former president Hugo Chavez’s state visit to India in March 2005. Energy has remained a cornerstone of the partnership.

(PTI Inputs)