Delcy Rodríguez has remained in charge of Venezuela since the United States captured and removed former president Nicolás Maduro from power earlier this year, further underlining Washington’s growing influence over political developments in Caracas.
Speaking about Venezuela while discussing global energy and diplomatic priorities, Marco Rubio revealed that Rodríguez is expected to travel to India next week as discussions continue around oil supplies and economic cooperation.
Rubio, who is also scheduled to begin his India visit on Saturday, said the United States wants to deepen its energy partnership with India at a time when global markets remain under pressure following the US Israeli conflict with Iran.
“We want to sell them as much energy as they’ll buy,” Rubio said while referring to India’s growing energy demands amid continuing instability in West Asia.
He added that Venezuelan oil could also become part of those discussions, noting that the interim Venezuelan leadership is looking to strengthen ties with India.
“There’s a lot to work on with India. They’re a great ally, a great partner,” Rubio said while emphasising Washington’s interest in expanding cooperation with New Delhi across multiple sectors.
Venezuela possesses the largest proven oil reserves in the world, making the country a major focus in global energy politics.
Interim president Delcy Rodríguez made her first overseas visit earlier this month to The Hague, where she defended Venezuela’s position in the territorial dispute with Guyana before the International Court of Justice.
Rodríguez also shares longstanding spiritual ties with India through her association with late spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba. Over the past few years, she is known to have visited his ashram in southern India multiple times while serving as Venezuela’s vice president.
Her upcoming India visit for discussions around oil cooperation comes at a sensitive moment for global energy markets. The ongoing conflict in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one fifth of the world’s fuel supplies pass, have intensified concerns over energy security worldwide.
The possibility of India importing more Venezuelan oil was first publicly raised by Donald Trump earlier this year following a major trade agreement announced between India and the United States.
The deal included reduced reciprocal tariffs on Indian imports and was finalised after a phone conversation between Narendra Modi and Trump.
Soon after the agreement, Trump posted on social media claiming Modi had agreed to significantly reduce purchases of Russian oil while increasing energy imports from the United States and potentially Venezuela as well.
Trump argued that such moves could help weaken Russia economically and contribute towards ending the war in Ukraine, while also describing Modi as one of his closest friends and a respected global leader.
