Rubio breaks news of Venezuela President's India visit; Cong sees Op Sindoor replay

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio became the first official to disclose that Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez would visit India next week. The announcement came during discussions on energy cooperation between the US and India ahead of Rubio’s own trip to the country. Neither Indian nor Venezuelan officials had previously confirmed the visit, raising concerns in India’s political circles. Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, questioned the timing and source of the disclosure, drawing parallels to Rubio’s 2025 announcement regarding Operation Sindoor, which also sparked controversy. Ramesh asked why major diplomatic developments involving India were being revealed first by a US official rather than Indian authorities. The visit assumes significance amid Venezuela’s shifting political landscape, particularly after the US reportedly abducted President Nicolas Maduro in January 2026. Since then, Rodriguez’s US-backed administration has granted American companies access to Venezuelan oil fields, with Washington lifting sanctions to facilitate oil sales under its control. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, making its energy sector a critical focus for India, which relies heavily on imported crude. Rubio made the disclosure while emphasizing the US’s push to expand energy exports to India, stating, ‘We want to sell them as much energy as they’ll buy.’ He added that Venezuela’s oil presents additional opportunities, though neither India nor Venezuela had publicly announced Rodriguez’s trip prior to his remarks. The political fallout reflects broader tensions over India’s energy dependencies, as the US has discouraged purchases of Russian crude while promoting American alternatives. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s oil sector remains a strategic asset under Washington’s influence, with potential implications for India’s energy security.