EAM Jaishankar meets Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, backs stronger bilateral cooperation
New Delhi, June 4
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday met Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez in New Delhi and reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening ties with the South American nation.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said he was "pleased to call on Acting President Delcy Rodriguez of Venezuela in New Delhi today" and expressed appreciation for her longstanding commitment to the India-Venezuela relationship.
"Deeply value her longstanding commitment to the India-Venezuela relationship," the minister said, adding that Rodriguez's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Wednesday arrived in the national capital for a five-day working visit aimed at further deepening the bilateral ties between India and Venezuela.
Welcoming the Venezuelan leader, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a post on X said that the visit would provide an opportunity for both countries to strengthen cooperation and build on the momentum in their bilateral partnership.
"A warm welcome to Acting President Delcy Rodriguez of Venezuela on her arrival in New Delhi. During her visit, Acting President Rodriguez will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit will further deepen India-Venezuela ties and build on the momentum in the bilateral partnership," the post read.
During her visit, Rodriguez is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior Indian leadership.
According to a release, the MEA said that the visit will be from June 3 to June 7.
Rodriguez was earlier scheduled to visit India to participate in the International Big Cat Alliance Summit on June 1, which was subsequently deferred.
She will now undertake a formal working visit accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Venezuela's Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Economy and Finance, Science and Technology, Communication and Information, and Transportation.
She will begin her engagements with the Indian side on June 4 with a meeting scheduled with Jaishankar, followed by official talks with the Prime Minister at Hyderabad House.
Rodriguez will also pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat as part of her itinerary.
According to the MEA, during the high-level discussions, both sides are expected to review the entire spectrum of India-Venezuela relations and explore avenues to deepen cooperation in key sectors, including energy security, trade and investment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation, and renewable energy.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is a smart move by our government. Venezuela has huge oil reserves and India needs energy security. But I'm curious—what exactly are we offering in return? Pharmaceuticals? Technology? Would love more transparency on these deals.
Great diplomatic initiative! India is playing its cards well in Latin America. Venezuela's acting president visiting Delhi for 5 days shows they value the relationship. Hope this leads to concrete outcomes in energy and trade sectors. Kudos to EAM Jaishankar! 👏
While strengthening ties is good, we need to be cautious about Venezuela's political situation. The country has been through serious turmoil. India should engage but not put all eggs in one basket. Diversification in foreign policy is key. Just my two paise. 🤔
Venezuela was once a prosperous nation, now it's struggling. India can help with infrastructure, healthcare, and tech. But we must ensure we're not just giving aid—we need mutual benefits. Also, it's impressive that PM Modi is personally meeting her. Shows India's global stature. 🇮🇳
Interesting to see the focus on energy security and renewable energy cooperation. Venezuela has massive solar potential too, not just oil. India's expertise in solar could be a game-changer there. Hope this visit leads to tangible projects, not just MoUs. Fingers crossed! 🤞
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