‘We Agreed To Expand Bilateral Partnership’: PM Modi After Call With Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez

Last Updated:January 30, 2026, 9:32 PM IST

Rodríguez was formally sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president on January 5, following a turbulent political transition in the oil-rich country.

PM Modi and Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez | File Image

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke with Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, during which the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties.

This marks the first interaction between PM Modi and Rodriguez after the dramatic capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro in US military operation held on January 3.

“Spoke with Acting President of Venezuela, Ms. Delcy Rodríguez. We agreed to further deepen and expand our bilateral partnership in all areas, with a shared vision of taking India-Venezuela relations to new heights in the years ahead,” said PM Modi in an X post.

Rodríguez was formally sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president on January 5, following a turbulent political transition.

Rodríguez, 56, a labour lawyer with close ties to the private sector and a long-standing association with the ruling establishment, was administered the oath of office by her brother Jorge Rodríguez, who heads Venezuela’s National Assembly.

Significance Of Talks

The Modi-Rodríguez conversation assumes added significance against the backdrop of shifting US trade and energy policies.

President Donald Trump has signalled a renewed interest in Venezuela’s vast crude oil reserves, while also warning of higher tariffs on countries that fail to conclude trade agreements with Washington, including India.

The United States has already imposed cumulative tariffs of 50 per cent on Indian goods over New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian crude.

At the same time, the White House has indicated openness to allowing India to source Venezuelan oil under a new, US-supervised framework, a move that could revive energy trade routes disrupted by American sanctions in recent years.

Adding to the developments, US Energy Secretary Christopher Wright recently said Washington plans to sell between 30 million and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude currently held in storage, followed by additional volumes from future production.

The proposed plan, with the US playing a central role in oversight, has the potential to reshape parts of the global oil market.

Read More