India stays cautious after US captures Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, as Trump ramps up pressure

India has issued a restrained response after US special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas and moved him to New York to face drug-trafficking and narco-terrorism charges.
The carefully worded statement from New Delhi, released more than 24 hours after the operation, signals how delicately India is navigating relations with an unpredictable White House amid trade tensions and energy diplomacy.

What India said and what it did not

In a five-sentence note, the Ministry of External Affairs said India was “deeply concerned” and was monitoring events, while reiterating support for the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela.
Notably absent were any references to the United States, President Donald Trump, or the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that India routinely invokes in international disputes.

Diplomats read the omission as deliberate. A former Indian envoy to Venezuela, Y K Sinha, told ANI that New Delhi’s tone reflects a choice not to apportion blame while safeguarding bilateral relationships, including with Washington and key European capitals that have also avoided sharp condemnation.

The operation and global reaction

The US operation, codenamed “Absolute Resolve”, reportedly seized Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores before transporting him to face charges in New York. Images of the Venezuelan leader blindfolded and handcuffed sparked criticism across parts of the Global South.
Brazil called the action an “unacceptable” breach and a “flagrant violation of international law.” Several governments questioned the precedent of a cross-border military seizure of a sitting head of state.

India’s stance echoed its approach during the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war, when it avoided aligning publicly with either side while prioritizing national interests.

Why New Delhi is treading carefully

India’s restraint comes as relations with the US remain tense over trade and energy. Trump has warned of additional penalties if India does not curb purchases of Russian oil, a key component of India’s energy security.

In August 2025, the US imposed a 25 percent tariff on certain Indian imports, on top of existing measures, citing India’s continued buying of Russian crude. Since then, senior US officials have repeatedly flagged the issue in public.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said India could face higher tariffs if it did not “help on the Russian oil issue,” even as he described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a good guy.” Standing beside him, US Senator Lindsey Graham claimed India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, had sought relief from the additional duties and emphasized India’s efforts to cut Russian oil imports.

Energy, economy, and geopolitics

The Venezuela episode also lands as oil once again dominates geopolitics. India imports 85 to 88 percent of its crude needs. Recent data show Russian oil imports fell to a three-year low in December, reflecting New Delhi’s gradual diversification of supply.

A sharper standoff with Washington risks raising costs for exporters, complicating trade negotiations, and injecting uncertainty into energy markets. At the same time, a forceful condemnation of the US action could strain strategic cooperation in areas from defence to technology.

Domestic political fallout

India’s opposition has attacked the government’s muted tone. Congress argued that respect for national sovereignty underpins the post-World War II international order and should have been explicitly defended.
Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge went further, likening Trump’s action to authoritarianism and accusing the government of yielding to US pressure, remarks that underline how foreign policy is becoming a domestic political flashpoint.

Why this matters for readers

For businesses and households, the story is not abstract. Trade penalties can affect export jobs and prices, while shifts in oil sourcing influence fuel costs. Diplomatically, India’s response offers a window into how New Delhi balances principles with pragmatism when great-power interests collide.

What to watch next
• Whether Washington escalates tariffs tied to Russian oil.
• How India further adjusts energy imports amid rising geopolitical risk.
• Any coordinated response from the Global South on the legality of the operation in Venezuela.