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Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez will visit India from June 3 to June 7 and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as New Delhi steps up crude oil imports from the South American nation amid disruptions to energy supplies from West Asia.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the discussions will cover the full spectrum of India-Venezuela relations and explore opportunities for deeper cooperation in energy, trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation and renewable energy.
Rodríguez is expected to be accompanied by Venezuela’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Economy and Finance, Science and Technology, Communications, and Transportation.
The visit comes at a time when India has sharply increased purchases of Venezuelan crude. In May, India imported around 427,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Venezuelan oil, making it the second-largest buyer of Venezuelan crude after the United States. India's Reliance Industries has emerged as one of the three largest buyers of Venezuelan oil in recent months.
The rise in imports comes as India seeks alternative sources of crude following disruptions to supplies from West Asia. Venezuela has regained importance as an energy partner after India resumed purchases earlier this year when sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports were eased.
Government data for April showed that India's merchandise imports from Venezuela stood at $609.87 million, of which petroleum and related products accounted for $601.53 million. India's exports to Venezuela during the month were valued at $20.33 million.
Rodríguez last visited India in February 2025 as Venezuela’s Oil Minister, when she led a delegation to the India Energy Week conference.
The MEA has described India as an important partner for Venezuela in the areas of energy and investment. Indian public sector undertakings (PSUs) have made significant investments in Venezuela's energy sector and are exploring opportunities to further expand their presence in the country.
Indian companies have invested close to $1 billion in Venezuela, according to the MEA.
(With inputs from Reuters)
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the discussions will cover the full spectrum of India-Venezuela relations and explore opportunities for deeper cooperation in energy, trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation and renewable energy.
Rodríguez is expected to be accompanied by Venezuela’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Economy and Finance, Science and Technology, Communications, and Transportation.
The visit comes at a time when India has sharply increased purchases of Venezuelan crude. In May, India imported around 427,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Venezuelan oil, making it the second-largest buyer of Venezuelan crude after the United States. India's Reliance Industries has emerged as one of the three largest buyers of Venezuelan oil in recent months.
The rise in imports comes as India seeks alternative sources of crude following disruptions to supplies from West Asia. Venezuela has regained importance as an energy partner after India resumed purchases earlier this year when sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports were eased.
Government data for April showed that India's merchandise imports from Venezuela stood at $609.87 million, of which petroleum and related products accounted for $601.53 million. India's exports to Venezuela during the month were valued at $20.33 million.
Rodríguez last visited India in February 2025 as Venezuela’s Oil Minister, when she led a delegation to the India Energy Week conference.
The MEA has described India as an important partner for Venezuela in the areas of energy and investment. Indian public sector undertakings (PSUs) have made significant investments in Venezuela's energy sector and are exploring opportunities to further expand their presence in the country.
Indian companies have invested close to $1 billion in Venezuela, according to the MEA.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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