Congress questions Centre after Rubio announces Venezuela President’s India visit

The Congress questioned the Centre after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the Venezuelan President’s proposed visit to India before any official confirmation from New Delhi. Jairam Ramesh said the US had repeatedly made announcements linked to India’s foreign policy ahead of India

New Delhi: The Indian National Congress on Friday asked the Centre what else US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had in store for India’s foreign policy after he announced the Venezuelan President’s visit to India next week.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a video of Rubio’s statement in Miami about his visit to India to attend the Quad meeting and also the Venezuelan President’s proposed visit.

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“At 5.37 pm on May 10, 2025, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was the first to announce the halt to Operation Sindoor.

“Yesterday, Mr Rubio was again the first to announce that the President of Venezuela would be visiting India next week. This was even before India and Venezuela had either hinted at or confirmed the news,” he said.

Ramesh said the President of Venezuela was expected to attend the launch of the International Big Cat Alliance in New Delhi next week.

“However, this has since been postponed because of the outbreak of the Ebola virus in Africa.

“What else does the US Secretary of State have in store for Indian foreign policy?” the Congress leader asked.

The Congress has on several occasions objected to the US making announcements related to India’s foreign policy, including on halting Operation Sindoor, even before New Delhi did.