Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez is set to visit India next week for high-level talks on oil supplies and bolstering bilateral energy ties amid rising supply concerns in the world.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the upcoming visit during his remark on his soon to be India visit. Washington has significant opportunities to increase its energy trade with India, and it is possible Venezuela could become more of a key player in meeting its growing fuel needs, Rubio said.
The development follows India’s efforts to diversify crude oil imports in the wake of the turmoil in global energy markets due to tensions in the Middle East and worries about energy supply routes. Venezuela, with the world’s largest proven oil reserves, is once more poised to become a long-term energy partner for India.
The visit is said to be aimed at discussions on crude oil supply pacts, energy security and other trade matters between the two nations. Indian public sector oil companies have long had relations with Venezuela’s state-run PDVSA, and imports have just been resumed.
Formerly president Nicolás Maduro, Rodríguez has publicly called for more economic cooperation with India, taking over from his predecessor earlier this year. She also has close cultural connections to the country due to her relationship with spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba whose ashram is located in southern India and to whom she has visited several times.