Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez arrived in India on June 4, 2026, for a five-day visit aimed at strengthening energy cooperation, including oil supply to India. Her trip marks her first visit to India since assuming the interim presidency following the reported abduction of President Nicolas Maduro by the U.S. military.

The visit comes at a critical time for India, which is seeking to diversify its energy imports amid ongoing disruptions caused by the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. The potential for Venezuelan oil to fill supply gaps is a key focus of the diplomatic discussions.

Beyond the official agenda, Rodriguez is also expected to visit Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh, the birthplace of her spiritual mentor, Indian guru Sathya Sai Baba. Her predecessor, Nicolas Maduro, was also known to be a devotee of the spiritual leader.

Sathya Sai Baba, born Sathyanarayana Raju in 1926, was an Indian spiritual leader who claimed to be the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba. He gained a significant global following from the 1970s and 1980s, promoting teachings of unity, peace, and spirituality that transcended religious boundaries. His followers included prominent figures from Indian cricket, Bollywood, business, and politics.

Baba's purported abilities, such as materializing objects and performing healings, were a significant draw for his devotees. However, these claims also faced scrutiny, with scientists accusing him of fabricating such events, while his followers defended his alleged miraculous skills.

In his later years, Sathya Sai Baba faced serious allegations. In 2002, the British parliament noted claims of sexual abuse against male children of devotees, prompting calls for diplomatic action. A 2004 BBC documentary, "The Secret Swami," further investigated these allegations, and the U.S. State Department issued travel advisories in 2006 related to these concerns.

The connection between Venezuelan political figures and Sathya Sai Baba highlights a cultural and spiritual dimension to the South American nation's leadership. Rodriguez's visit to his birthplace underscores the personal significance of the guru to her and her political predecessors.

As Rodriguez engages in high-level energy talks in New Delhi, her pilgrimage to Puttaparthi adds a unique layer to her diplomatic mission, intertwining geopolitical interests with personal spiritual devotion.