Venezuelan acting president to visit India as oil imports rise
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Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodriguez will visit India from June 3 to June 7 for talks aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, with energy cooperation expected to be a key focus as India increases crude oil imports from Venezuela.
India's Ministry of External Affairs announced the visit on Tuesday. During her stay, Rodriguez is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hold discussions covering energy, trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation, and renewable energy.
The visit comes as India ramps up purchases of Venezuelan crude.
In May, India imported about 427,000 barrels of Venezuelan oil per day, making it the second-largest buyer after the United States. Reliance Industries has emerged as one of the three largest purchasers of Venezuelan crude in recent months.
According to officials, Rodriguez is also expected to meet leaders of India's energy industry in Mumbai. She last visited India in February 2025 as Venezuela's oil minister, when she led a delegation to India Energy Week.
The visit takes place as India seeks to diversify its oil supply sources following disruptions to global energy flows linked to the conflict involving Iran and the resulting impact on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for crude oil imports.
Rodriguez assumed the role of acting president after Venezuela's Supreme Court ordered her to take over following the detention of President Nicolas Maduro in January.
She will be accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes ministers responsible for foreign affairs, economy and finance, science and technology, communication and information, and transportation.