Venezuela's New Leader's Sai Baba Faith & India Ties Highlighted by Congress

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh highlighted the Indian spiritual connection of Venezuela's new acting President, Delcy Rodriguez, noting her devotion to Satya Sai Baba and her past visits to his ashram. He recalled her August 2023 meeting with then-Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar during one such visit. Ramesh also pointed to Venezuela's historical Sai Baba following and mentioned the statue of Venezuelan liberator Simon Bolivar in New Delhi. Rodriguez assumed the role after the US captured former President Nicolas Maduro, who faces charges in New York.

Key Points: Venezuela Acting President's Sai Baba Link & India Visits

  • Rodriguez is acting President after US action
  • She is a Sai Baba devotee
  • Met Jagdeep Dhankhar in 2023
  • Maduro declared mourning for Sai Baba
  • Simon Bolivar statue in Delhi
2 min read

Jairam Ramesh highlights Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez's connection to India

Jairam Ramesh notes Delcy Rodriguez's devotion to Satya Sai Baba and her India visits, including a 2023 meeting with Jagdeep Dhankhar.

"Delcy Rodriguez has visited India a couple of times and like Nicolas Maduro has been a follower of Satya Sai Baba. - Jairam Ramesh"

New Delhi, January 7

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday highlighted Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez's connection to India.

In a post on X, he said that Rodriguez is a devoted follower of Satya Sai Baba, just like her predecessor, Nicolas Maduro. She has visited his ashram in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, multiple times, including in August 2023 and October 2024. During her 2023 visit, she met with then-Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

"Delcy Rodriguez has been sworn in as the Interim President of Venezuela. She has visited India a couple of times and like Nicolas Maduro has been a follower of Satya Sai Baba. In Aug 2023, she had met with the-then Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar - of whom sadly nothing is heard of these days," posted Ramesh.

Notably, Venezuela has a strong Sai Baba following, with the first Sai Centre opening in Caracas in 1974. Maduro even declared a national day of mourning after Sai Baba's death in 2011.

He also remembered that Simon Bolivar, the famous Venezuelan leader, iconic in India, with a statue in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. He led the war of independence from Spain, shaping South America's history.

"The most famous Venezuelan must be Simon Bolivar whose statue is at a prominent location in Chanakyapuri in New Delhi. Bolivar led the war of independence from Spain in the first few decades of the 19th century that resulted in the emergence of a number of new countries in South America."

Rodriguez officially took charge as the acting President on January 5, 2026, two days after the United States launched a strike in Venezuela and captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple are currently lodged at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York, and pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges related to drugs and weapons.

Following the US action, Rodriguez announced seven days of national mourning, citing deaths reported during the attack in Caracas and condemning what she described as foreign aggression. According to a CNN report, she asserted that Venezuela continues to be governed by its own constitutional authorities and not by any external power.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While the spiritual connection is interesting, I wish our leaders would focus more on pressing domestic issues. The mention of Dhankhar sir is a valid point - our own VP seems to have vanished from public discourse. Priorities, please.
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Aditya G
The statue of Simon Bolivar in Chanakyapuri is a great symbol of India's long-standing solidarity with anti-colonial struggles worldwide. It's good to remember these historical connections in today's complex geopolitics.
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Sarah B
The US action in Venezuela is deeply concerning, regardless of one's view of Maduro. Capturing a foreign leader sets a dangerous precedent. India must tread carefully and uphold its principle of non-interference.
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Karthik V
Sai Baba's teachings have truly reached every corner of the globe. A national day of mourning declared in Venezuela for his passing... wow! That shows the profound impact of Indian spirituality.
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Nikhil C
This is a very delicate situation for Indian foreign policy. We have historical ties with Venezuela, but also important relations with the US. A balanced approach is needed, focusing on dialogue and peace.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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