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Why is India silent after the dramatic US operation in Venezuela? From Maduro’s kidnapping to Trump’s Iran and BRICS strategy, this deep analysis explains the new global power game, oil politics, and why India may be under pressure in 2026.
January 3, 2026: The Night the World Shifted
The night of January 3, 2026, may well be remembered as a turning point in modern geopolitics. Explosions echoed across Venezuela. Reports emerged of a high-risk US Special Forces operation, and within hours, global media claimed that President Nicolás Maduro had been kidnapped. Washington neither confirmed nor denied the operation, yet former US President Donald Trump’s cryptic statements left little room for doubt.
What startled observers most, however, was India’s silence.
As the world reacted—Latin America erupted in outrage, Iran issued warnings, and BRICS nations held emergency consultations—New Delhi chose restraint. This raises an uncomfortable question: Why is Modi getting entangled in the Venezuela situation, and what does this silence really signal?
The Real Story Behind the Venezuela Operation
Venezuela is not just another troubled nation. It sits atop the largest proven oil reserves in the world, along with significant gold and rare earth deposits. For years, US sanctions failed to dislodge Maduro. The January 3 operation suggests a dramatic escalation—from economic warfare to direct regime disruption.
This was not about democracy. It was about energy control, currency dominance, and global power projection.
Venezuela has been a key supplier of oil to nations trying to bypass the US-led financial system. Its partnerships with China, Russia, Iran, and BRICS-aligned economies made it a strategic target.
Trump’s Bigger Game: Iran, BRICS, and Global Pressure
Trump’s rhetoric following the operation made one thing clear: Venezuela was a message, not the final act.
Iran remains the central target. Venezuela, Iran, and Russia together represent a bloc that challenges:
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Western control over global energy flows
By destabilising Venezuela, Washington sends a warning to any nation considering alternatives to the dollar. BRICS, which is actively discussing non-dollar trade mechanisms, suddenly finds itself under direct pressure.
This is where India enters the frame.
Why Has India Become a Target?
India today walks a diplomatic tightrope. It is:
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A major buyer of discounted Russian oil
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A strategic partner of Iran through Chabahar
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Simultaneously deepening defence and tech ties with the US
Trump’s recent remarks—claiming India is reducing Russian oil imports “to please him”—were not casual. They were a signal of leverage.
India’s silence on Venezuela is not accidental. It reflects fear of:
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Disruption to technology and defence cooperation
In the new global game plan, neutrality itself is being punished.
Oil Politics and the Petrodollar Trap
At the heart of this crisis lies oil.
For decades, the petrodollar system ensured that oil trade happened in US dollars, forcing nations to hold dollar reserves. This gave Washington unmatched economic power.
BRICS countries—including India—are now exploring:
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Oil trade in local currencies
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A BRICS reserve currency
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Financial systems independent of SWIFT
Venezuela was actively part of this experiment.
Its sudden destabilisation sends a chilling message: challenge the petrodollar, and consequences will follow.
India’s heavy dependence on imported energy makes it especially vulnerable. Cheap Russian oil has helped manage inflation, but it has also placed India directly in Washington’s crosshairs.
India’s Silence: Strategic Wisdom or Strategic Weakness?
Supporters of the Modi government argue that silence is strategic maturity—a refusal to be drawn into unnecessary conflict.
Critics argue the opposite: that silence reflects diplomatic paralysis.
When India speaks boldly on Ukraine’s sovereignty but remains quiet on Venezuela’s forced regime change, questions arise about consistency and credibility.
A rising power cannot afford selective morality dictated by fear.
The Multipolar World: Reality or Illusion?
For years, leaders spoke of a multipolar world—one where power is shared between multiple centres: the US, China, Russia, BRICS, and regional blocs.
The Venezuela operation suggests something else: the unipolar order is fighting back.
America is no longer persuading—it is enforcing.
The lesson is stark:
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Economic independence without military power is fragile
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Currency alternatives invite retaliation
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Silence does not guarantee safety
BRICS at a Crossroads
BRICS now faces its most serious test.
If India distances itself to avoid US pressure, BRICS risks becoming symbolic rather than transformational. If India stands firm, it must prepare for economic and diplomatic turbulence.
The future of BRICS depends not on declarations, but on collective resolve.
India’s choice will define:
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Its global standing
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Its energy security
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Its strategic autonomy
America or BRICS: What Should India Choose?
This is not a binary choice—but pretending it isn’t one is dangerous.
India must:
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Engage the US without submission
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Strengthen BRICS without confrontation
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Diversify energy sources
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Accelerate rupee-based trade
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Speak clearly on violations of sovereignty—wherever they occur
Strategic autonomy is not silence. It is confident, principled balance.
Conclusion: A Warning Shot for 2026
The Venezuela operation is not an isolated incident. It is a global warning shot.
For India, the message is clear: the era of comfortable ambiguity is ending. The world is dividing—not by ideology, but by control over energy, currency, and sovereignty.
Whether Modi’s government chooses caution or courage will shape India’s future role in the global order.
In 2026, silence is no longer neutral. It is a decision.
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