US Arrests Maduro: Why US Strike On Venezuela & Maduro’s Capture Matter For India

This article examines the evolving India Venezuela relations, focusing on energy trade, pharmaceutical cooperation, digital solutions, and cultural exchange. It considers how a US strike and political uncertainty influence diplomacy, economic ties, and multilateral engagement, with attention to India’s energy security and Venezuela’s oil dependence.

The United States carried out a "large-scale strike" on Venezuela on Saturday and stated that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. The operation unfolded at night and was later revealed by President Donald Trump on social media. The move raised immediate global concerns about stability in Venezuela and possible effects on partners such as India and Venezuela’s longstanding economic links.

Witnesses reported several explosions across Caracas as low-flying aircraft passed over the capital during the strikes. Maduro's administration accused Washington of hitting both military and civilian targets and called the action an "imperialist attack", urging people to fill the streets. Control of the Venezuelan state remained unclear, and Maduro's precise location was also unknown. Trump posted about the development on Truth Social shortly after 4:30 am ET.

India and Venezuela: diplomatic and energy relations

• India and Venezuela have maintained formal diplomatic ties since 1959, with relations built mainly on energy cooperation. Over more than sixty years, both states have usually enjoyed cordial engagement and often share positions at multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. That history now faces fresh scrutiny as events in Caracas may affect policies in New Delhi.
• Crude oil has long acted as the "Oil Anchor" (Trade & Energy) in ties between the two nations. Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves, while India is the third-biggest energy consumer. During several years in the past decade, Venezuela remained one of the top crude suppliers.
• Trade flows between the two partners remain strongly tilted towards Caracas, mainly because of oil shipments. In 2024, India imported goods worth about $2.04 billion from Venezuela, and roughly 95 percent of that figure came from crude oil. Indian exports to Venezuela reached around $216 million in the same year, creating a sizeable trade gap that reflects India's energy dependence, as per a report.
• The main items of India's exports to Venezuela are mineral fuels and oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances, pharmaceutical products, cotton, nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical machinery and equipment; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, articles of apparel and clothing accessories and miscellaneous chemical products.

• The main items of India's imports from Venezuela are mineral fuels and oils and products of their distillation, bituminous substances; mineral waxes, iron and steel, aluminium, edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers, copper and articles thereof, lead and articles thereof, zinc and articles thereof, wood and articles of wood; electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, raw hides, skins and leather, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; edible fruit and nuts; plastic and articles thereof, organic chemicals, miscellaneous chemical products, articles of iron or steel.

• Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has a 15‐year crude supply contract with PDVSA. As per media reports, RIL has obtained OFAC license from US Treasury in July 2024 for crude imports from Venezuela, despite the sanctions.
• There is a significant interest and appreciation for Indian art and culture in Venezuela. Various centres in Venezuela have been established by Indian spiritual Gurus/groups such as Sathya Sai Baba, Brahma Kumaris, Radha Swami, among others. The country boasts temples and numerous yoga centres. Ayurveda is gaining popularity and has been acknowledged as an alternative system of medical treatment in a health regulation issued by the Government of Venezuela in February 2001. The first AYUSH Information Cell of Venezuela was established in Gran Fraternidad Universal, Maracay in July 2017. The International Day of Yoga (IDY) has been celebrated annually since 2015.

• Under the Scheme 'Development, Communication& Dissemination of Filmic Content (DCDFC)', two events were organized by the Mission for promoting Indian cinema. Hindi movie 'Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai' (with Spanish sub-titles) was screened in an open-air venue inside a popular mall in Caracas on 18 January 2025. About 100 people watched the movie and it was widely appreciated.

India and Venezuela: healthcare, technology and culture

Beyond hydrocarbons, healthcare has been an important pillar in cooperation between India and Venezuela. India is often described as the "Pharmacy of the World", and firms such as Dr. Reddy's, Sun Pharma and Cipla have operated in Venezuela for many years. Their generic medicines gained particular importance as Venezuela’s economy weakened and international sanctions restricted other supplies.

Technology partnerships have also grown more recently between India and Venezuela, especially in public digital systems. A 2025 Memorandum of Understanding on Digital Solutions aims to share India's experience with "population-scale" platforms, including systems similar to UPI and digital identity tools. The initiative is designed to support improvements in Venezuelan government services and strengthen administrative efficiency.

Soft-power links add another layer to the India and Venezuela relationship, despite the large geographical distance. Yoga enjoys wide popularity across Venezuelan cities, and the Indian Embassy in Caracas regularly hosts "International Day of Yoga" events that attract thousands of participants. A small Indian diaspora, engaged mainly in retail, textiles and trade, also contributes to everyday economic activity. Bollywood cinema has built a niche following in Venezuela, while cultural exchange programmes often bring Venezuelan dance and music groups to stages in India.

India and Venezuela: strategic and multilateral ties

Strategic coordination has seen India and Venezuela align on several global themes over the years. Venezuela joined the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA) early, signalling a shared interest in renewable energy even while Venezuela relies heavily on oil exports. At the diplomatic level, India has generally followed a "neutral but engaged" approach towards political tensions in Venezuela, seeking to balance its partnership with the United States against its own energy security concerns centred on Caracas.

The latest United States strike and uncertainty around Nicolas Maduro’s status now place that balance under new strain. India and Venezuela remain connected through oil trade, pharmaceuticals, technology projects and cultural exchanges, all of which depend on stability in the South American state. How events unfold will shape the future framework of cooperation, but the depth of existing ties ensures that developments in Caracas will stay closely watched in New Delhi.