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India-Venezuela Relations

IAS Current Affairs

India-Venezuela Relations

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Overview

  1. News in Brief
  2. Key Highlights
  3. India-Venezuela Relations
  4. About Venezuela

Why in the News?

Venezuela’s President Rodriguez is on a five day official visit to India (3-7 June 2026) during which she held talks with Indian Prime Minister on strengthening cooperation on areas of mutual interests.

News in Brief
  • Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had discussions on strengthening cooperation in energy, critical minerals, technology, agriculture, healthcare and people-to-people ties.
  • Discussions also focused on long-term energy partnership.
  • The visit marks a significant development and strengthens India-Venezuela bilateral relations and strategic cooperation.
Key Highlights

On Energy Pacts

  • India is among the world’s fastest-growing energy consumers, with oil demand expected to remain strong in the coming decades.
  • India has a long standing energy partnership with Venezuela since 2008.
  • Venezuela possesses one of the largest proven oil reserves in the world, making it a potential long-term energy partner for India .
        • Venezuela emerged as the third largest supplier in April and May this year (in India’s spot purchases).
  • Recent discussions emphasized establishing a long – term energy partnership covering upstream and downstream activities.

On Critical Minerals, trade and agriculture

  • Both  countries are looking to invest in mining, agriculture, transportation, critical minerals and other area of mutual interests.
  • Expressed interests in expanding economic engagement beyond oil.

On healthcare and pharmaceuticals

  • India is globally recognized as the “Pharmacy of the world”.
  • Recent discussions highlighted India to provide high quality generic drugs at low cost to their healthcare system.
India-Venezuela Relations

Historical Background

  • Diplomatic relations between India and Venezuela were established in 1959.
  • The bilateral relations received major boost during the 2005 state visit of Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez to India.
  • Both countries cooperated in forums such as Non-Aligned Movement.
  • The two countries are marking  its 67 years of bilateral ties in 2026.

Political Relations

  • Recent high-level exchanges include:
    • UN and NAM Summits- meetings between Hon’ble EAM, Dr. S. Jaishankar and Venezuelan foreign ministers
    • Multiple visits (at least 6 times) by Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez to India, in the past.
    • Venezuelan delegations participated in India Energy Week and Business Conclaves.
    • Signed MoU on sharing population-scale digital solutions for digital transformation in 2025.

Economic Relations

  • Major Indian Exports- Pharmaceuticals, machinery and mechanical appliances, cotton, chemicals and other industrial products.
  • Major Imports from Venezuela- Crude oil and petroleum products, Iron and steel, Aluminium and copper, minerals and raw materials and among others.
  • Trade is heavily influenced by crude oil imports from Venezuela.
  • On Energy cooperation;
    • ONGC Videsh Limited holds a 40% stake in the San Cristobal Oil project through a joint venture with Venezuela.
    • Indian public sector companies have participated in major oil projects in the Orinoco belt.
    • Reliance Industries Limited imports Venezuelan crude under a 15 year crude supply contract.

Cultural and Educational Relations

  • Growing popularity of Ayurveda and Yoga in Venezuela.
    • The International Day of Yoga is celebrated every year, since 2015.
    • The First AYUSH Information Cell of Venezuela was established.
  • Indian Film Festivals and Bollywood movies screening attracts local audiences.
  • Cultural centers were established in Venezuelan Universities.
  • Venezuelan professionals regularly receives training under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Program.
  • Scholarships are provided through Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

Indian Community in Venezuela

  • Around 50 NRIs and 30 Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) reside in Venezuela.
  • Despite the small community, they share a deep cultural and economic ties.
About Venezuela
  • Venezuela is a diverse South American nation.
  • Known for its immense oil reserves in the world, mainly concentrated in the Orinoco Belt.
  • Petroleum is the backbone of Venezuela’s economy.
  • Located on the northern coast of the continent.
  • It borders Columbia (West), Brazil (South) and Guyana (East).
  • It has a long coastline along the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Orinoco River: One of the South America’s longest rivers and major waterway of Venezuela.
  • In recent years, the country has faced severe economic and political crisis.
  • Despite its economic challenges, Venezuela is an important player in the global energy markets with its proven oil reserves.
  • It is a founding member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, making it significant in global energy markets.

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