U.S. President Donald Trump announced this weekend that India will pivot from Iranian to Venezuelan oil imports, marking a major shift in global energy alliances. The move comes as India reduces reliance on Russian crude amid tightening Western sanctions. 💡
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump revealed: "We've already made that deal – the concept of the deal." This follows Washington's increased control over Venezuela's oil industry after the January 3 military action that removed President Nicolas Maduro.
🔍 Why it matters: India previously sourced 10% of its oil from Russia post-Ukraine invasion, but U.S. tariffs up to 50% on Indian goods since August 2025 have forced Delhi to diversify. Energy analysts call this "the biggest geopolitical oil shuffle since 2022."
Trump emphasized U.S. gains: "We'll take some [profits], and they'll take a lot." The arrangement could reshape energy flows across Asia, with Venezuelan oil shipments to India expected to begin by mid-2026.
🌐 The big picture: This deal highlights how the U.S. continues leveraging energy markets to isolate geopolitical rivals. As Indian Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri noted last month, reliance on "one source" (Russia) is no longer sustainable for the world's third-largest oil consumer.
