Venezuela's Acting President Rodriguez Meets Modi, Eyes Bigger Oil Role in India on 5-Day Visit

Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez held a packed day of high level engagements in New Delhi on Thursday, meeting both External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi , as India moved swiftly to deepen ties with the oil rich South American nation amid a deepening global energy crisis .

Jaishankar called on Rodriguez earlier in the day, appreciating her sustained commitment to strengthening the India Venezuela partnership , and expressing hope that her subsequent meeting with Prime Minister Modi would further enhance bilateral cooperation. He described her longstanding engagement as central to the relationship, setting the tone for a full day of diplomatic activity.

The meeting with the Prime Minister took place at Hyderabad House , where Modi and Rodriguez held wide ranging discussions reviewing the full spectrum of bilateral relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation in energy, trade, investment, healthcare, and automobiles , while also reaffirming commitment to the Global South .

A senior Indian foreign ministry official said the talks focused heavily on energy cooperation , noting that Venezuela had recently become India’s third largest crude oil supplier , and that India is actively seeking new sources of crude to strengthen its energy security , with Venezuela seen as a key opportunity.

The urgency stems from a shifting geopolitical reality. The ongoing conflict involving Iran has disrupted nearly 40 percent of India’s oil routes through the Strait of Hormuz , forcing India to rapidly diversify its crude imports. Venezuela has stepped in to partially fill the gap, with India importing around 427,000 barrels per day in May, making it one of the top suppliers of crude to India.

Rodriguez is leading a high level delegation that includes ministers of foreign affairs, economy and finance, science and technology, communications, and transport , signalling that the visit goes beyond oil and aims at a broader economic partnership .

Discussions also covered trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transport, and renewable energy , indicating a multi sector cooperation framework between the two countries.

State owned ONGC Videsh Limited , which already holds stakes in Venezuela’s San Cristobal field and Carabobo-1 block , is seeking to expand its presence, with expectations of renewed access and higher production under the current Venezuelan leadership.

Rodriguez is also scheduled to meet Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and visit key industrial facilities during her stay, including in the energy, pharmaceutical, and automobile sectors . She also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat as part of her itinerary.

This marks her sixth visit to India , and her first since becoming acting president after the reported capture of Nicolas Maduro by US forces in January. She was sworn in on January 5, 2026 , becoming the first woman to hold the presidency in Venezuelan history. Since taking office, Rodriguez has pursued active global diplomacy, engaging with US officials, hosting senior American delegations, and appearing before the International Court of Justice over Venezuela’s territorial dispute with Guyana .

Analysts note that parallel outreach from both Caracas and Washington reflects a broader realignment of global energy diplomacy , driven by instability in the Middle East. For India, the engagement represents an opportunity to secure long term energy stability , while for Venezuela it marks a strategic return to the global economic stage.