US in Talks with India on Venezuelan Oil Amid Russian Crude Cuts

Published By DPRJ Universal | Published on Friday, 20 February 2026

The United States is reportedly in discussions with India regarding the purchase of Venezuelan oil. These talks emerge in the wake of a recent American military operation that led to the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Concurrently, Indian refiners have been decreasing their imports of Russian crude oil, a move influenced by ongoing trade negotiations that connect US tariff rates to such reductions. This development signifies a potential shift in global oil supply dynamics and India's energy procurement strategy.

The United States is actively engaging in discussions with India concerning the potential acquisition of oil from Venezuela. This significant diplomatic overture follows a pivotal American military intervention last month, which resulted in the ousting of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The timing of these talks is particularly noteworthy as Indian refining companies have been systematically reducing their dependence on Russian crude oil supplies. This reduction is not coincidental but rather a direct outcome of broader trade negotiations, where the tariff rates imposed by the US are intricately linked to India's commitment to curtail its imports of Russian crude.The initiative by the US to facilitate Venezuelan oil purchases by India could represent a strategic move to stabilize the global oil market, potentially leveraging new leadership in Venezuela post-Maduro, and simultaneously incentivizing India to further diversify its energy sources away from Russia. For India, engaging in these talks offers an opportunity to secure alternative oil supplies and potentially improve its trade relations with the US, given the tariff incentives. This complex interplay of military action, energy diplomacy, and trade policy highlights a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, where major powers are reshaping alliances and supply chains to achieve strategic economic and political objectives. The outcome of these discussions could have lasting implications for global energy markets, US-India relations, and the future economic trajectory of Venezuela.