The Daily Journal — Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, arrived at Palam Airport in New Delhi on Wednesday to begin a high-level official agenda in the Republic of India.
According to the official press report, the trip aims to “strengthen ties and establish cooperation mechanisms in the economic, commercial, cultural, technological, industrial, and healthcare sectors.”
Dr. Aman Puri, Head of the South America Division at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, welcomed Rodríguez upon her arrival.
Rodríguez traveled with a ministerial delegation that included Foreign Minister Yván Gil, Transportation Minister Jacqueline Faría, Health Minister Isabel Iturria, and Science and Technology Minister Gabriela Jiménez, as well as diplomatic representatives from both countries.
After stepping off the plane, the acting head of state said she felt “happy to bring Venezuela’s message, a message of peace, friendship, and cooperation,” according to the official statement.
Rodríguez highlighted India’s position on the international stage and described the Asian nation as “an economic powerhouse that plays a highly relevant role in the world.”
The official visit comes at a time when the war in the Middle East, which erupted in late February, has dramatically reshaped global fuel supply routes. Before the conflict began, India—the world’s most populous country—imported nearly 90% of its oil, and almost half of that volume moved through the Strait of Hormuz, which now faces significant threats and disruptions. In response to tensions and the risk of interruptions along that maritime corridor, the Indian government has urgently diversified its supply sources. It has turned to Venezuelan heavy crude as a strategic alternative.
Port statistics already reflect the results of this commercial adjustment. During April and May, Venezuela experienced a trade rebound that elevated the country to India’s fourth-largest oil supplier.
Reports from energy analytics firm Kepler show that India imported an average of 319,200 barrels of Venezuelan oil per day in May. The figure represents a 13.9% increase over the previous month. It marks a milestone in the formal reactivation of trade, as India had stopped importing oil from the South American nation in May 2025 due to sanctions targeting the sector.
Over the next few days, the acting president will hold working sessions with senior Indian government officials and private-sector business leaders to secure long-term agreements.
“We will have a very productive agenda, and I hope to address areas of cooperation that will benefit the most important needs of the Venezuelan people,” Rodríguez said.
