India and Venezuela are seeking to finalize an energy trade deal to increase imports of oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) [1].
The move comes as India attempts to secure its energy future while traditional Middle East supplies are disrupted. A blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing conflict between Iran and the U.S. have forced New Delhi to diversify its fuel sources to avoid economic instability [3, 5].
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Acting President Delcy Rodríguez led the discussions, which were announced June 4, 2026 [1]. The two nations are exploring a partnership based on what officials describe as a complementarity in energy trade [1].
Discussions between New Delhi and Caracas focus on replacing volumes lost due to the Gulf crisis [1, 4]. While India has previously relied on Middle Eastern crude, the current volatility in the region has made South American alternatives more attractive [2, 3].
Further talks are scheduled for the coming week in early June 2026 to solidify the terms of the agreement [1, 2]. The deal would specifically target the procurement of crude oil, and LPG, to stabilize domestic energy prices [1, 3].
Officials said the partnership is a strategic response to the geopolitical tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz [1, 4]. By shifting a portion of its import reliance toward Venezuela, India aims to mitigate the risk of sudden supply shocks from the Persian Gulf [2, 5].
“India and Venezuela are seeking to finalize an energy trade deal to increase imports of oil and liquefied petroleum gas.”
This pivot toward Venezuela signals a significant shift in India's energy security strategy. By diversifying away from the Strait of Hormuz, India is attempting to decouple its economic stability from the volatile geopolitical climate of the Middle East. If successful, this deal could establish Venezuela as a primary strategic partner for New Delhi, reducing the leverage of Gulf states during regional conflicts.
