Venezuela's Rodriguez gets red-carpet welcome in India

NEW DELHI, June 04 (AFP): India gave a red-carpet welcome on Thursday to Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks to bolster trade between the oil exporter and his energy-hungry nation.

Rodriguez has led Venezuela, which accounts for around 17 per cent of global crude reserves, since January, when US forces captured former socialist president Nicolas Maduro.

She shook hands with Modi outside New Delhi's sprawling Hyderabad House before the talks began.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said talks with Modi will "further strengthen our cooperation".