@ India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries is actively pursuing U.S. approval to restart imports of Venezuelan crude oil as geopolitical pressures reshape global energy trade.

Reliance, which operates the world’s largest refining complex in Gujarat, has been in discussions with the U.S. State and Treasury Departments to secure the necessary authorization to resume purchases of Venezuelan oil under Washington’s regulatory framework. This initiative comes because of heightened U.S. pressure on New Delhi to reduce imports of Russian crude oil and explore alternative sources.

Sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that Reliance representatives are working to obtain clearance from U.S. authorities that would allow the Indian conglomerate to import Venezuelan barrels again, potentially helping offset declining Russian supplies.

The move follows a period in 2025 when Reliance received U.S. licenses to bring Venezuelan crude to its refineries, receiving roughly 63,000 barrels per day before most of those authorizations were suspended and Washington threatened buyers with tariffs.

Reliance has indicated it would consider resuming Venezuelan crude purchases if allowed to buy under the current U.S. regulatory conditions, including through U.S.-approved channels or for non-U.S. buyers.