Washington, Feb 1: U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that India will begin purchasing oil from Venezuela as a replacement for its imports from Iran. Making the announcement aboard Air Force One, the President noted that a conceptual agreement has already been reached to facilitate this shift in energy procurement. While the U.S. administration has been vocal about the arrangement, the Indian government has not yet issued a formal confirmation regarding the specific details of the trade pivot.
“India is coming in, and they’re going to be buying Venezuelan oil, as opposed to buying it from Iran,” President Trump said during his journey to Palm Beach, Florida. He mentioned that the United States is prepared to manage Venezuela’s oil assets and infrastructure during a transitional period, following the recent capture of Nicolas Maduro. The President also noted that the door remains open for other nations, including China, to participate in purchasing oil from the South American country under this new framework.
The statement follows a recent conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delcy Rodriguez, the acting president of Venezuela. During that exchange, the Prime Minister noted that India is committed to expanding its bilateral partnership and deepening cooperation with the nation. This move is seen as a potential step toward easing trade frictions with Washington, which had recently resulted in high tariffs on Indian goods.
Regarding the ongoing situation with Tehran, the President mentioned that the U.S. remains prepared but prefers a diplomatic resolution. He noted that Iranian officials are currently engaged in serious discussions with his administration. “I hope they negotiate something that’s acceptable,” he said, adding that any final agreement must address concerns surrounding nuclear weapons.
