Venezuela acting president to visit India next week for oil discussions: Rubio

Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez will travel to India next week for talks on oil sales, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Thursday, as Washington pushes to deepen energy ties with New Delhi.

Rubio made the announcement before departing for Sweden and India, where he is scheduled to arrive on Saturday. He described India as a “great partner” and said the US was ready to increase energy exports to the country.

“Well, we want to sell them as much energy as they'll buy. And obviously, you've seen I think we're at historic levels of US production, and US export,” Rubio told reporters in Miami.

“They are a great ally, a great partner. We do a lot of good work with them. And so it is an important trip. I'm glad we're able to do it because I think there'll be a lot for us to talk about,” Rubio said.

Rodríguez took power after US forces deposed former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January. While she has publicly criticised the operation, she has also received praise from US President Donald Trump for cooperating with Washington, including by assisting oil companies.

Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves. India, which imports nearly half of its energy requirements and most of its oil, has been looking to diversify supplies.

India was once a major buyer of Iranian oil until the Trump administration, during its first term, threatened sanctions on countries purchasing oil from Iran.

Earlier this month, Rodríguez made her first foreign trip as interim president to The Hague, where she defended Venezuela’s claims in its territorial dispute with Guyana before the International Court of Justice.