The keys to Delcy Rodríguez's return and Venezuelan crude to India
According to data from consulting firm Kpler, Venezuela became in April and May of this year the fourth largest supplier of oil to India, behind Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia
Delcy Rodríguez traveled to India in February 2025 as Minister of Petroleum, now as acting president of Venezuela | EFE
EFE June 4, 2026 7:36 am | Updated 7:52 am
Venezuela went from not selling oil to India since May 2025 to becoming its fourth largest crude supplier in two months, a turnaround that marks the official visit of acting president Delcy Rodríguez to New Delhi.
Rodríguez was received this Thursday by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, the venue for high-level bilateral meetings in the Indian capital, during a five-day visit focused on energy, trade, and investment.
These are the keys surrounding the visit:
1. Venezuela, fourth largest crude supplier to India
Venezuela became in April and May the fourth largest oil supplier to India, behind only Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, according to data from Kpler.
India imported 319,200 barrels per day of Venezuelan crude so far in May, 13.9% more than the previous month. Before April, the Asian country had not bought Venezuelan oil since May 2025.
2. A visit with a different scenario
Rodríguez had already traveled to India in February 2025 as Minister of Petroleum, when Caracas was trying to expand its sales to the Asian country.
Now she arrives as acting president and with Indian purchases reactivated after the easing of U.S. sanctions.
3. India needs more suppliers
India imports about 90% of the oil it consumes and, before the war in the Middle East, received about half of that crude through the Strait of Hormuz, now de facto blocked.
The crisis has made oil more expensive, put pressure on the rupee, and led New Delhi to seek alternative suppliers, including less common markets such as Venezuela, Ecuador, Algeria, and Iran.
4. The role of the United States
The United States has presented Venezuelan oil as an alternative to Russian crude, after capturing President Nicolás Maduro in January and taking control of Venezuelan oil sales.
Although Washington extended until mid-June a temporary exemption on Russian crude, the Trump administration has pressured New Delhi to reduce those purchases. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently said the United States wants to sell India "as much energy as they are willing to buy" and that there are also "opportunities with Venezuelan oil."
5. Reliance and ONGC Videsh
Rodríguez's agenda includes a stop in Jamnagar to visit the Reliance Industries refinery, the world's largest refining complex and a possible destination for Venezuelan crude, according to sources close to the visit consulted by EFE.
The talks may also address the situation of ONGC Videsh, the international subsidiary of the Indian state oil company, which participates in the Venezuelan energy sector and has pending dividends linked to the San Cristóbal oil project.
Rodríguez also plans to visit the headquarters of the Tata Group in Bombay and hold contacts with the International Solar Alliance to explore clean energy projects.
