Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez is set to visit India from June 3 to June 7, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Tuesday. The visit comes at a time when India has significantly increased crude oil purchases from the South American nation amid ongoing disruptions in global energy supplies.
According to Reuters, India emerged as the second-largest buyer of Venezuelan crude in May, importing around 427,000 barrels per day. Reliance Industries has been among the leading purchasers of Venezuelan oil in recent months.
During her visit, Rodriguez is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said discussions will cover the entire spectrum of India-Venezuela ties, with a focus on strengthening cooperation in sectors such as energy, trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation and renewable energy.
Rodriguez is also expected to engage with key players in India’s energy sector during meetings in Mumbai, according to people familiar with the matter.
This will be her second visit to India in recent years. She previously travelled to the country in February 2025 as Venezuela’s oil minister, leading a delegation at India Energy Week.
The trip comes as India, the world’s third-largest importer and consumer of crude oil, continues to navigate supply challenges caused by the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments, has added pressure on India’s energy security and prompted refiners to diversify sourcing options.
India had suspended Venezuelan oil imports last year after the United States introduced a 25 per cent discretionary tariff on countries purchasing crude from Venezuela. Imports resumed in February after sanctions were eased following a major oil agreement between Washington and Caracas.
Under that arrangement, reached after political changes in Venezuela earlier this year, proceeds from Venezuelan oil sales are routed through accounts overseen by the US Treasury Department, with commercial transactions also subject to its guidance.
