New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday, in their first talks since Rodriguez assumed the acting presidency following the detention of Nicolás Maduro in January. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in energy, trade and investment, officials said.
Rodriguez arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday leading a delegation that includes ministers for foreign affairs, economy and finance, science and technology, communication and transportation. External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said the visit is expected to strengthen bilateral ties.
India, which once imported large volumes of Venezuelan heavy crude, resumed purchases after US sanctions were lifted following Maduro’s detention. New Delhi has recently stepped up Venezuelan crude imports as it seeks to diversify supplies amid supply disruptions caused by the West Asia crisis.
The talks come against that backdrop, with both sides exploring ways to expand energy cooperation and deepen commercial links.
(Inputs from PTI)