New Delhi: India broke its silence on the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro with a carefully worded statement that expressed “deep concern” but conspicuously avoided naming Washington or condemning the military strikes that seized the Latin American leader.US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday (January 3) that US forces had carried out what he termed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” a large-scale military strike on Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife. The couple was transported to New York to face drug-trafficking and narco-terrorism charges.Trump later stated the US would “run” Venezuela indefinitely until a formal transition of power could take place.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement on Sunday afternoon emphasised India’s support for the wellbeing of the Venezuelan people and called for peaceful resolution through dialogue.“Recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation,” the statement read. “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.”The ministry also confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Caracas is maintaining contact with members of the Indian community and “will continue to provide all possible assistance.”Just yesterday, New Delhi had issued a travel advisory urging Indian nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Venezuela and advised those present in the country to exercise extreme caution but remained silent on the escalating US military pressure on Caracas. Today’s statement marks India’s first official comment on the US military operation and Maduro’s capture.India’s statement stands in marked contrast to the sharp international reaction to the US operation. While New Delhi expressed concern, it stopped short of condemning the military action or explicitly naming the United States.The relative delay and muted tone in issuing a political response from New Delhi is notable. India has traditionally championed the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, often invoking these principles in its own disputes with neighbouring countries.India’s reaction to both the Gaza conflict and the Ukraine war has been characterised by its refusal to condemn Israel or Russia for their military actions. However, even in the Ukraine war, India specifically invoked territorial integrity and support for the UN Charter – references that are conspicuously absent from the Venezuela statement.New Delhi’s subdued response could be calculated to avoid antagonising Trump, particularly as India is already grappling with high US tariffs and has been unable to persuade the US President to agree to a bilateral trade deal that would lower import duties.Residents evacuate a building near the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela on January 3, 2026. AP/PTI.Meanwhile, Indian left parties have called for nationwide protests against the US action. In a joint statement issued today (January 4), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)-Liberation (CPI(ML)-Liberation), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), and All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) strongly denounced “US aggression against Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife”.The left parties’ statement accused Trump of laying bare “the real intentions behind this aggression” by stating he would capture Venezuela’s oil reserves. They noted that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had warned Cuba and Mexico could be next targets, describing this as part of US imperialism seeking “to impose its hegemony over the entire world.”“The Government of India must join the voices of countries across the world condemning US aggression and stand firmly with Venezuela,” the statement said.The parties also extended their “wholehearted support and solidarity with the fighting people of Venezuela” and appealed to “all peace-loving, anti-imperialist people of our country to mobilise in large numbers and actively participate in these protests.”The Indian government’s approach differs significantly from responses by several major powers in the Global South. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned the capture as crossing “an unacceptable line,” calling the attacks a “flagrant violation of international law”.China, Maduro’s largest creditor and biggest oil buyer, expressed being “deeply shocked” and issued a strong condemnation of what it termed “hegemonic acts” that threatened regional peace and security. South Africa’s Department of International Relations described the actions as a “manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations” and called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting. European nations offered mixed responses, with several calling for respect for international law while acknowledging Maduro’s authoritarian record.UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the strikes “a dangerous precedent” and scheduled a Security Council meeting for January 5. The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela raised concerns about accountability and stressed that alleged violations do not justify a military intervention that breaches international law, while the illegality of such an intervention does not diminish the responsibility of Venezuelan officials for years of repression.Meanwhile in Venezuela, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez defied Trump’s claims that she would cooperate with Washington. In a televised address, Rodriguez denounced the operation as “an atrocity that violates international law” and demanded Maduro’s immediate release, declaring him Venezuela’s rightful president. Despite Trump’s assertion that Rodriguez had been sworn in and would “do whatever” the US needed, she stated firmly that Venezuela would “never return to being slaves” or “the colony of another empire.” Venezuela’s Supreme Court later granted Rodriguez temporary presidential powers to “guarantee administrative continuity.”