Following the US military operation on January 3, 2026, that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concern on January 7 and urged all parties to pursue a peaceful solution protecting Venezuelan interests, amid New Delhi's balancing of ties with the US and Venezuela.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated on January 7, 2026, that India is 'concerned' about the US capture of then-President Nicolás Maduro and his wife during an overnight operation on January 3, noting India's historically strong relations with Venezuela.
India, which has faced a diplomatic bind between its strategic US partnership—including ongoing trade talks—and its advocacy for sovereignty and non-intervention, emphasized monitoring the situation closely. Jaishankar appealed for a peaceful resolution safeguarding the Venezuelan people's interests.
Bilateral India-Venezuela ties, primarily economic and oil-driven, have been strained by US sanctions but remain significant. This development risks escalating international tensions, with India maintaining a neutral stance focused on stability.