Marco Rubio, the United States Secretary of State, announced on Thursday that Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's interim president, is set to visit India next week to explore potential oil agreements, as reported by the EFE news agency.
Rubio disclosed this information before boarding his flight to Sweden. There, he will attend the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting, marking the first leg of his journey, which will subsequently take him to India from May 23 to May 26.
"In fact, as I understand it, the interim president of Venezuela will be traveling to India next week, so there are opportunities. There's a lot to work on with India," asserted the U.S. top diplomat.
As of now, the Venezuelan government has not confirmed Rodríguez's trip, and Rubio did not specify whether they would meet during his visit to the Asian country.
Energy Partnerships and Strategic Alliances
Rubio described New Delhi as "a great ally and a major partner," emphasizing Washington's interest in "selling them as much energy as they are willing to buy," amidst global disruptions caused by the Hormuz Strait blockade.
The context of this announcement lies in the reshuffling of the Venezuelan oil market following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026, an event that dramatically altered Venezuelan politics and regional crude flows.
Venezuelan Interim Leadership and U.S. Relations
Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president on January 5, 2026, with the backing of the Venezuelan Armed Forces and the Supreme Court. Since then, she has pursued a pragmatic rapprochement with Washington.
This rapprochement included a meeting with a U.S. Senate delegation on March 20, 2026, and the lifting of OFAC sanctions against Rodríguez on April 1, a decision for which she publicly expressed gratitude.
India's Role in Venezuelan Oil Exports
India has aggressively resumed the purchase of Venezuelan crude following Maduro's fall, aiming to decrease its reliance on Russian oil and avoid U.S. trade sanctions.
In March 2026, India imported 343,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan crude, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler as cited by Bloomberg, making it the largest buyer of this oil, surpassing China and the United States.
Total Venezuelan oil exports averaged around 890,000 barrels per day during that period, reaching the highest level since December 2019, with refineries like Reliance Industries, Hindustan Petroleum, and Indian Oil Corp among the key buyers.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed with Rodríguez earlier this year in a phone conversation to "deepen bilateral energy cooperation" given the Venezuelan government's need for liquidity.
Rubio will also attend a Quad meeting in India, an alliance between the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, highlighting the strategic dimension of the trip beyond the energy sector.
Frequently Asked Questions about Delcy Rodríguez's India Visit
What is the purpose of Delcy Rodríguez's trip to India?
Delcy Rodríguez is traveling to India to seek oil agreements, as part of efforts to expand Venezuela's energy partnerships.
Has the Venezuelan government confirmed Rodríguez's visit to India?
As of now, the Venezuelan government has not officially confirmed Delcy Rodríguez's trip to India.
What role does India play in Venezuelan oil exports?
India has become the largest buyer of Venezuelan crude, purchasing 343,000 barrels per day as of March 2026, surpassing both China and the United States.