Venezuela's Acting President Visits India to Strengthen Energy and Trade Ties
Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez visited India from June 3-7, 2026, to deepen bilateral ties in energy, trade, and technology. Amid the Strait of Hormuz blockade from the Iran war, India pivoted to Venezuela as a major crude supplier, with imports surging 51% in a month. Rodriguez met PM Modi and ministers, focusing on energy security, investment, and collaboration in pharmaceuticals, mining, and automobiles. The visit marks a strategic shift as India diversifies oil sources and revives upstream investments in Venezuela.
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India-Venezuela Relations Gain Renewed Energy Amid U.S. Influence
Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez visited India from June 3-6, 2026, marking a renewed push in bilateral ties. The visit, notably announced by the U.S. State Department, focused on energy cooperation, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and automotive sectors. India, which imports 88% of its energy needs, is seeking to diversify away from Russian crude under U.S. pressure and amid the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Venezuela, with major oil reserves, has become India's third-largest crude supplier. Talks also addressed outstanding debts of over $1.2 billion owed to Indian oil and pharma companies. The visit signals a strategic realignment as the Trump administration lifts sanctions on Venezuela and takes control of its oil industry.
The DiplomatIndia-Venezuela Relations Gain Renewed Energy Amid U.S. Influence
Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez visited India from June 3-6, 2026, laying groundwork for cooperation in energy, mining, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors. The visit was notable because it was announced by the U.S., not by India or Venezuela, highlighting Washington's role in shaping India's energy security decisions. India, which imports 88% of its energy needs, has been under U.S. pressure to reduce Russian crude purchases and is now turning to Venezuela. In May, Venezuela became India's third largest crude supplier. Talks also addressed critical minerals, outstanding debts to Indian oil and pharma companies, and potential expansion into exploration and refining. The visit did not produce formal agreements but was described as 'very business-like' by Indian officials.
The DiplomatIndia-Venezuela Relations Gain Renewed Energy Amid U.S. Influence
Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez visited India from June 3-6, 2026, marking a renewed push in bilateral ties. The visit, notably announced by the U.S. State Department rather than by New Delhi or Caracas, highlighted Washington's role in shaping India's energy security decisions. While no formal agreements were signed, talks focused on cooperation in energy, mining (gold, diamonds, critical minerals), animal husbandry, transportation, automotive, and pharmaceuticals. India, which imports 88% of its energy needs, is diversifying away from Russian crude under U.S. pressure and has turned to Venezuela, which emerged as India's third largest crude supplier in May. The visit also addressed outstanding debts: ONGC Videsh is owed over $500 million from Venezuelan investments, and Indian pharma companies are owed $700-800 million. Rodríguez toured the Jamnagar refinery and a pharmaceutical unit, signaling deeper engagement. The U.S. lifted sanctions on Venezuela after removing Nicolas Maduro, reopening the country for business.
The DiplomatIndian Companies Eye Venezuelan Oil Fields as Imports Surge 51%
Indian energy companies are exploring expansion into Venezuelan oil fields, according to India's top energy official Hardeep Singh Puri. Speaking at a meeting with Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez in India, Puri noted the growing interest as Indian oil imports from Venezuela surged 51% in a single month. Venezuelan officials reportedly view India as a preferred energy partner, with an Indian foreign ministry source stating they are working with a friendly government that seeks partnership. The development signals deepening energy ties between the two nations amid shifting global oil dynamics.
OilPrice.com Daily News UpdateIndia Turns to Venezuela for Oil After Strait of Hormuz Disruption
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively blocked due to the Iran war, India is pivoting to Venezuela as a major crude supplier. Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez visited New Delhi and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to formalize a long-term energy partnership. Venezuela has emerged as India's third-largest crude supplier in June 2026, shipping 417,000 barrels per day, up from zero under the previous Maduro administration. The shift is enabled by a new US oil supply agreement with Rodriguez's government, which eased sanctions. India, which imports 90% of its 5.6 million barrels per day consumption, sees Venezuela's 303 billion barrels of proven reserves as a strategic alternative. Beyond oil, the two countries explored cooperation in mining, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles. Indian state-owned firms like ONGC Videsh are expected to revive upstream investments in Venezuela's Orinoco Oil Belt.
Yahoo FinancePM Modi holds talks with Venezuela’s acting President on energy cooperation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who serves as acting President following Nicolas Maduro's detention by U.S. forces in January 2026. The talks focused on expanding bilateral ties in energy, trade, and investment. India, facing supply disruptions from the West Asia crisis, is seeking to diversify its crude oil procurement. India was once a major processor of Venezuelan heavy crude, importing over 400,000 barrels per day until U.S. sanctions halted purchases in 2020. After sanctions were lifted following Maduro's capture, Indian oil marketing companies have significantly increased crude oil sourcing from Venezuela in recent weeks. Rodriguez is accompanied by several ministers including foreign affairs, economy, finance, science and technology, communication, and transportation.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez Arrives in India for Working Visit to Deepen Bilateral Ties
Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez arrived in New Delhi on June 3, 2026, for a five-day working visit aimed at deepening bilateral ties with India. She is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The visit includes a high-level delegation comprising ministers of Foreign Affairs, Economy, Science and Technology, Communication, and Transportation. Both sides will review the entire spectrum of India-Venezuela relations, focusing on energy security, trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation, and renewable energy. Bilateral trade stood at $678.94 million in FY 2025-26, and Venezuela became India's third-largest crude oil supplier in May 2026. The delegation will also visit Indian energy, pharmaceutical, and automotive facilities to explore collaboration opportunities. This is Rodriguez's sixth visit to India, having previously visited as Foreign Minister and Vice President.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez to Visit India for Five Days
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez will undertake a five-day visit to India from June 3 to 7, 2026, to strengthen bilateral ties in energy, trade, and technology. She is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rodriguez assumed the acting presidency after the detention of former President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces in January. She will be accompanied by several ministers, including those of foreign affairs, economy and finance, science and technology, communication and information, and transportation. The visit was announced by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
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