Venezuela's Interim President Visits India to Discuss Oil Imports and Visit Sai Baba Birthplace

Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on June 4, 2026. The two leaders discussed energy cooperation, including potential Venezuelan oil sales to India. Rodriguez's trip marks her first visit to India since assuming the interim presidency in January 2026.

Energy imports top the agenda after the Strait of Hormuz closure disrupted Gulf crude shipments.

Rodriguez is also scheduled to visit Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh, the birthplace of Indian spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba. She has been a devotee for years and last visited the site in 2024. Sathya Sai Baba, born Sathyanarayana Raju in 1926, attracted a global following with teachings on peace and service.

He died in April 2011. Rodriguez's predecessor Nicolas Maduro was also a follower of Sai Baba. A 2005 photograph showed Maduro and his wife seated at the guru's feet.

Venezuela holds an estimated 303 billion barrels of oil reserves, the world's largest. The country supplied India with 417,000 barrels per day in early June 2026, up from 283,000 barrels per day previously. Indian state-owned firms including ONGC Videsh have held stakes in Venezuelan projects since 2008.

Reliance Industries operates one of the few refineries equipped to process Venezuelan heavy crude. U.S. sanctions on PDVSA previously limited purchases, but a new supply agreement now allows limited direct sales from the Venezuelan state oil company.