Rodríguez was formally sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president on January 5, following a turbulent political transition in the oil-rich country.
In a significant diplomatic engagement marking a new chapter in Indo-South American relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez on Friday. The conversation, which the Prime Minister described as a shared vision to take bilateral ties to “new heights”, comes at a pivotal moment as Venezuela navigates a period of profound political and economic transition following years of severe domestic turmoil.
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
Following the talks, Delcy Rodríguez also took to X and said the talk was marked by deep human and spiritual connection.
“I held a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, in a dialogue marked by deep human and spiritual connection, during which we agreed to deepen and expand our bilateral partnership across all areas. I expressed my gratitude for the solidarity shown by the Government and the people of India toward our country. Prime Minister Modi reiterated his willingness to stand alongside the Venezuelan people in the defense of their peace, sovereignty, and independence,” she said in a post on X.
“We addressed strategic cooperation in energy, agriculture, science and technology, the pharmaceutical industry, mining, the automotive sector, and tourism, and agreed to move forward with a joint roadmap to relaunch our relations in 2026,” she added.
Nation at a Crossroads
Venezuela’s journey to this moment has been defined by a decade of hyperinflation, social unrest, and a crippling humanitarian crisis. The country, which possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves, saw its economy contract by nearly 80 per cent over the last decade, leading to the displacement of millions of citizens. Following the disputed 2024 presidential elections, the nation was gripped by a renewed wave of protests and international isolation, as the previous administration consolidated power amidst accusations of democratic erosion.
The situation reached a dramatic climax in early January 2026, when the longstanding leader Nicolás Maduro was removed from power following a swift and unprecedented US military operation. This development left a significant power vacuum in Caracas, prompting the Supreme Tribunal of Justice to intervene.
The Rise of Delcy Rodríguez
Under the Venezuelan Constitution, the Vice President is designated to assume the duties of the presidency in the event of a permanent vacancy. Consequently, Delcy Rodríguez, who had served as Vice President since 2018, was sworn in as Acting President on January 5, 2026. A career diplomat and lawyer, Rodríguez has long been a central figure in the “Chavista” movement, previously serving as Foreign Minister and Minister of Economy.
Her appointment is seen by regional analysts as a move toward stability. In her initial weeks, Rodríguez has pivoted toward a “reform and opening up” strategy—drawing comparisons to the economic liberalisation seen in other socialist nations. This has included an overhaul of energy laws to allow for privatisation and foreign investment in the oil sector, a move that signals a pragmatic shift away from the rigid state control of the past two decades.
Strengthening the India-Venezuela Partnership
For India, the stabilising of Venezuela is of strategic energy importance. Before the imposition of heavy sanctions, Venezuela was a primary source of heavy crude for Indian refineries. In their Friday call, PM Modi and Acting President Rodríguez agreed to expand cooperation in trade, pharmaceuticals, and digital technology. India had previously expressed “deep concern” over the violence in Caracas earlier this month, advocating for a peaceful resolution and the well-being of the Venezuelan people.
