Photo: AP
New Delhi: India on Sunday said it was concerned about the unfolding situation in Venezuela and that it was keeping a close watch on developments, following reports that the United States had attacked the oil-rich nation and abducted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said New Delhi reiterated its commitment to the safety and well-being of the Venezuelan people and urged all stakeholders to pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue in the interest of regional peace and stability. The ministry said India was monitoring the situation carefully and emphasised the need for restraint and diplomatic engagement.
The MEA also said that the Indian Embassy in Caracas was in touch with members of the Indian community and would continue to extend all necessary assistance, TNIE reported.
Notably, the government avoided directly referring to any violation of sovereignty or explicitly naming the United States, adopting a cautious tone amid rapidly evolving circumstances.
The statement followed an announcement by the Donald Trump-led US administration that it had detained President Maduro and his wife during what it described as a military operation targeting Caracas and other parts of Venezuela, as part of a wider campaign against what Washington called “narco-terrorism”. President Trump later said the United States would oversee the country’s administration until a transition of power takes place.
As tensions escalated, India also issued a travel advisory for its citizens. In a separate notice released on Saturday, the MEA advised Indian nationals to refrain from undertaking non-essential travel to Venezuela in view of the prevailing situation.