Venezuelan President Dials PM Modi, Agrees to Take Bilateral Ties to New Heights

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a telephone conversation with Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez, with both leaders agreeing to expand bilateral cooperation across key sectors including trade, investment, energy, digital technology, health, agriculture and people-to-people ties.In an official readout, the Prime Minister’s Office said the two leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments and underscored the importance of close coordination among developing countries, particularly in advancing the collective interests of the Global South.The high-level outreach comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement between India and Latin America, as New Delhi strengthens partnerships beyond its immediate

neighbourhood and positions itself as a leading voice for developing economies in a rapidly evolving global order.

Energy, Trade in FocusEnergy cooperation remains a central pillar of India–Venezuela relations. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves and was once a major crude supplier to India. Bilateral oil trade, however, declined sharply over the past decade due to U.S. sanctions on Caracas and payment-related constraints.With global energy markets facing continued volatility and geopolitical disruptions, both sides have shown interest in exploring feasible avenues for re-engagement in the energy sector, while adhering to prevailing international frameworks.Trade and investment also featured prominently in the conversation. India’s exports to Venezuela include pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles and food products, while Caracas has sought Indian expertise in infrastructure development, agriculture and industrial capacity-building.Beyond Oil: Technology and HealthThe discussion reflected a broader effort to diversify bilateral ties beyond hydrocarbons. India’s growing footprint in digital public infrastructure, healthcare delivery and agricultural technology aligns with Venezuela’s development needs, particularly in strengthening public services and food security.Indian pharmaceutical companies have played a key role in supplying affordable medicines to Venezuela, reinforcing healthcare as a stable area of cooperation even during periods of economic stress.People-to-people exchanges were also highlighted, with both leaders acknowledging the importance of cultural, educational, and technical engagement in building long-term partnerships.Global South CoordinationOn global issues, Prime Minister Modi and Acting President Rodríguez stressed the importance of cooperation among developing nations in addressing challenges such as economic recovery, climate change and reform of multilateral institutions.India has emerged as a prominent advocate for Global South solidarity, hosting major outreach initiatives and pushing for inclusive development models that reflect the priorities of emerging economies.At the conclusion of the call, the two leaders agreed to remain in touch, signalling sustained political engagement. The conversation underlines India’s intent to maintain diplomatic momentum with Venezuela while advancing its broader strategic outreach across Latin America.