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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a substantive phone conversation with Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, signalling a fresh phase in diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Caracas. The leaders discussed ways to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors and agreed on a shared intention to take bilateral relations to “new heights” in the coming years.
This discussion is the first between the two leaders since Rodríguez assumed the role of Acting President earlier this month, following dramatic political developments in Venezuela that have drawn international attention. Their conversation underscores India’s ongoing efforts to maintain stable partnerships even amid shifting global geopolitical dynamics.
Expanding the Scope of Cooperation
According to statements shared by the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Modi and Acting President Rodríguez agreed that India–Venezuela cooperation should be deepened across a broad range of areas, including trade and investment, energy cooperation, digital technology, health, agriculture, and people-to-people ties. Both sides also committed to staying in regular contact to ensure follow-up on key initiatives.
Energy cooperation is expected to be a particularly important part of the expanded partnership. Venezuela is home to some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, and New Delhi has historically engaged with Caracas in sectors tied to energy security and economic development. Expanding investments and joint ventures in this area could benefit India’s long-term fuel diversification strategy, even as clean energy transitions gather pace globally.
Political Context and Strategic Significance
Delcy Rodríguez, who served as Venezuela’s vice-president and oil minister before becoming Acting President on January 5, stepped into leadership amid significant unrest in her country’s political landscape. Her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, was captured by U.S. forces earlier this month, a development that has intensified international scrutiny of Venezuelan governance and impacted regional diplomatic alignments.
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. @delcyrodriguezv
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 30, 2026
Despite these tensions—with the United States and other external actors deeply involved in Venezuelan affairs—the conversation between Modi and Rodríguez demonstrates India’s interest in engaging constructively with all partners based on mutual interests and respect for sovereignty. Diplomats say India’s approach is to balance its global relationships with a focus on peace, stability and economic cooperation.
Bilateral Relations and Future Opportunities
India and Venezuela have maintained diplomatic relations for decades, though engagement has varied in intensity based on global energy markets and political circumstances. This renewed dialogue comes at a moment when India is actively reinforcing its ties with countries in Latin America while continuing to diversify its international economic and strategic partnerships.
In recent years, the focus of India’s foreign policy has included developing connections beyond traditional partners, emphasising South–South cooperation and collaborative ventures in technology and sustainable development. The conversation with Rodríguez fits within this broader framework, reflecting India’s interest in fostering resilient partnerships that support economic growth and shared development goals.
India’s diplomatic engagement with Venezuela also has implications for broader geopolitical discussions, particularly around energy security and multilateral cooperation on issues such as climate change, public health, and economic integration. Analysts believe that sustained dialogue between New Delhi and Caracas could open doors for collaborative initiatives in these areas as well.
Looking Ahead
Both leaders expressed confidence that the expanded partnership could bring tangible benefits to their respective populations, and outlined plans to strengthen institutional mechanisms that support cooperation. Regular exchanges of high-level visits and joint working groups on priority sectors are expected to follow in the coming months.
The conversation between Prime Minister Modi and Acting President Rodríguez reflects India’s nuanced foreign policy approach—one that seeks stability, mutual progress, and constructive engagement with countries across continents.
