Published on 07/01/2026 01:37 PM
External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, expressed India's concern over the situation in Venezuela on Tuesday, which was the first strong public statement after the latest US actions in the South American country. "Yes, we are concerned at developments in Venezuela. We would urge all parties to sit down and come to the position of well being and safety of the people of Venezuela because at the end of the day that is our concern and we would want Venezuela the country with whom over many many years we had very good relations. So we would like the people to come out well"," Jaishankar said.
He made the remarks during his meeting with Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Xavier Bettel, who are looking after the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Earlier on Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had also expressed its deep concern regarding the situation in Venezuela and called for a peaceful resolution through dialogue, as reported by ANI.
Jaishankar in a statement said it is keeping a close watch on the situation in the country. "Recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. India reaffirms its support to the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela. We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region," he said.
The ministry stated that the Indian Embassy in Caracas is maintaining contact with the Indian community and is ready to assist in any way possible.
On Saturday, Jaishankar also alerted Indian citizens about the situation in Venezuela through an advisoryecause of the situation in Venezuela, Indian nationals should travel only if it is most necessary.
He said, "All Indians present in Venezuela for any reason are advised to be very careful, limit their movements, and get in touch with the Indian Embassy in Caracas via the email id: cons.caracas@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone +58-412-9584288 (which includes WhatsApp calls)."
On the other hand, the former Indian ambassador to Venezuela, Y.K. Sinha, on Monday referred to India's comment on the U.S. military strikes in Venezuela and the arrest of the ousted Venezuelan dictator, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, as "very measured," saying New Delhi must always think of its diplomatic ties with the U.S. and other countries.
Sinha observed that most countries, including those in Europe, have reacted cautiously to the U.S. action with China and Russia being the main exceptions that have voiced their strong condemnation of the strikes on a sovereign nation.
In a conversation with ANI, Sinha said, "I am of the opinion that, in general, the international community has not supported the action at all. But there are a few exceptions like Israel and Argentina, maybe, but most countries have been cautious with their positions, except for China and Russia, who have outrightly condemned it."
Russia was quick to react and was one of the first countries to respond. India's reaction or the statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry has been very careful and is clearly trying not to assign blame at this point.