India Welcomes Venezuelan Interim President for Key Discussions

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has announced the visit of Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodríguez from June 3 to June 7. This visit, initially planned for a summit, will focus on enhancing bilateral relations across various sectors, including energy and trade. Jaiswal emphasized India's significant role as a partner in Venezuela's energy sector. The briefing also addressed regional issues, including Israel's actions in Lebanon and the deportation of Indian nationals from the U.S. Additionally, India reiterated its stance on Jammu and Kashmir, rejecting external comments on its internal matters. The visit aims to strengthen ties and foster cooperation between the two nations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 2, 2026, 18:42 IST

Venezuelan President's Visit to India

During a weekly briefing, the spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, announced the upcoming visit of Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez. This visit will address several significant international and bilateral issues. Initially scheduled to attend the International Big Cats Alliance summit on June 1, which has now been postponed, Rodríguez will instead visit India from June 3 to June 7. Accompanying her will be ministers from various sectors, including foreign affairs, economy and finance, science and technology, communications, and transportation.

Bilateral Talks on Various Issues

Jaiswal noted that this marks Rodríguez's sixth visit to India, having previously served as Venezuela's foreign minister and vice president. During her stay, she is expected to engage in bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on diverse aspects of India-Venezuela relations, including energy, trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation, and renewable energy. He emphasized that India is a crucial partner for Venezuela in energy and investment, with significant investments made by Indian public sector companies in the Venezuelan energy sector.

India's Stance on Regional Issues

In response to inquiries regarding Israel's military operations in Lebanon, Jaiswal stated that India is closely monitoring the developments in the region. He reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy are essential for restoring peace and stability.

Addressing reports of the deportation of thirty Indian truck drivers from the United States, the spokesperson clarified that India does not support any form of illegal immigration. He explained that when deportation cases are sent to India by the U.S., the nationality of the individuals is verified, and upon confirmation, they are accepted back.

On the matter of shared rivers with Bangladesh, Jaiswal mentioned that India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers, and there are structured bilateral arrangements, such as the Joint River Commission, to address related issues. He assured that both nations will collaborate to resolve all matters concerning these shared rivers.

India's Response to International Statements

India expressed strong objections to the mention of Jammu and Kashmir in a joint statement by Pakistan and the European Union. The Ministry of External Affairs dismissed it as unnecessary interference in India's internal affairs. Jaiswal stated that India completely rejects references to Jammu and Kashmir in the joint press release, reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inseparable parts of India. He urged parties without any rights or legal basis on the matter to refrain from commenting.

Regarding the visit of Ravi Lamichhane, the president of Nepal's ruling National Independent Party, Jaiswal highlighted the multifaceted partnership between India and Nepal, with high-level meetings scheduled during the visit. In response to statements made by Nepal's Prime Minister concerning the India-Nepal border, he noted that approximately 98% of the border has been demarcated, with some areas still pending due to issues arising from changes in the Gandak River's course. Additionally, mapping of encroachments and no man's land in border areas is underway. Jaiswal clarified that there are bilateral mechanisms in place to resolve all border-related issues, with no role for any third party.

In the context of border disputes with Bangladesh, Jaiswal responded to questions about the visit of Bangladeshi officials, stating that there are joint working mechanisms in place for such discussions.