New Delhi

Acting President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a five-day official visit aimed at expanding cooperation between India and Venezuela across a range of sectors, including energy, trade, healthcare and technology.

Welcoming Rodriguez to India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit would provide fresh momentum to bilateral relations and create opportunities for deeper engagement between the two countries.

During her stay from June 3 to June 7, Rodriguez is expected to hold high-level discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The talks are likely to cover the full spectrum of India-Venezuela relations, with a particular focus on energy cooperation, trade and investment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation and renewable energy.

Rodriguez is accompanied by a senior delegation that includes Venezuela's ministers responsible for foreign affairs, economy and finance, science and technology, communication and information, and transportation.

According to the MEA, the Venezuelan leader will begin her official engagements on June 4 with a meeting with Jaishankar, followed by talks with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House. She is also scheduled to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

The visit comes at a time when India and Venezuela are witnessing growing economic engagement, particularly in the energy sector. Venezuela has emerged as an increasingly important supplier of crude oil to India, with energy security expected to feature prominently in the discussions. Recent increases in Venezuelan oil exports to India have strengthened the strategic importance of the relationship.

The Venezuelan delegation is also expected to visit industrial and manufacturing facilities linked to India's energy, pharmaceutical and automobile sectors to explore new avenues for cooperation and investment.

India and Venezuela have traditionally maintained cordial relations, supported by collaboration in the energy sector and shared priorities on issues affecting developing countries and the Global South. Existing partnerships include cooperation in oil and gas exploration, pharmaceuticals, traditional medicine, digital technologies and cultural exchanges.

Rodriguez is a familiar figure in India-Venezuela relations, having visited the country several times in previous roles, including as Venezuela's foreign minister and vice president. This visit further underscores the importance both countries attach to strengthening bilateral ties.

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Officials on both sides expect the visit to pave the way for enhanced cooperation in key strategic sectors and contribute to the continued growth of India-Venezuela relations in the years ahead.