Why is Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez visiting India at this particular time, and what are the main topics of discussion?

Rodriguez is visiting India from June 3 to June 7 amid a significant resurgence in Indian crude oil imports from Venezuela—India was the second-largest importer of Venezuelan oil in May at 427,000 barrels per day, behind only the U.S., and Reliance Industries has become one of the three largest buyers. The visit aims to discuss the full spectrum of bilateral relations, with explicit emphasis on energy, trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation, and renewable energy; she will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top Indian energy leaders in Mumbai. Her trip follows India’s resumption of Venezuelan oil purchases in February after U.S. sanctions were eased under a new oil supply pact tied to U.S. oversight of Venezuelan oil revenues.

What changed in India’s Venezuelan oil imports recently, and what triggered that change?

India had stopped buying Venezuelan oil last year after former U.S. President Donald Trump authorized a 25% discretionary tariff on countries importing crude from Venezuela, but resumed purchases in February following a U.S.-Venezuela oil supply pact. This agreement—reached after the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January—places proceeds from Venezuelan oil sales under U.S. Treasury Department control via designated bank accounts and mandates that commercial terms align with U.S. guidance.

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