US President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. (AFP photos)

India and its political leaders have reacted strongly to the developments in Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by United States forces. The Indian government has described the situation as deeply concerning and said it is closely watching events as they unfold.

On Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs advised Indian citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela. The advisory came after US troops carried out military strikes on Caracas and captured President Maduro and his wife, later flying them to the United States.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the MEA said recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. It added that India supports the well-being and safety of the Venezuelan people and called on all sides to resolve issues peacefully through dialogue to ensure peace and stability in the region.

How Indian leaders have reacted?

Several Indian political leaders criticised the US action and questioned its legality under international law. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said international law and the United Nations Charter have been repeatedly ignored. He remarked that the “law of the jungle” now seems to prevail and that “might is right” has become the dominant principle.

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi described the US move as a return to imperial-style politics. In a post on X, he said regime change through military force undermines sovereignty and weakens international law.

Congress MP Manish Tewari also raised concerns, saying the United States has a long history of pursuing regime change. He questioned whether such actions have ever truly worked in America’s interest. He added that the matter would be discussed at the United Nations Security Council and said people across the world should be worried about the impact on the rules-based international order.

Leaders from Left parties staged protests in Delhi against the US attack on Venezuela. CPI leaders condemned what they called an aggressive and fraudulent action by the United States.

Bring Back masterminds of 26/11 attackers from Pak: Owaisi

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi used the situation to raise questions about India’s response to terrorism. Referring to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, he asked why India could not act against terror masterminds in Pakistan if the US could capture a foreign president.

Owaisi said, “If@realDonaldTrump can pick up Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro from there, then why can’t @narendramodi pick up the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks from Pakistan?”

Responding to this, BJP leader and Bihar minister Neeraj Kumar Jaiswal said Owaisi was known for making sensational statements and dismissed his remarks.

“No country can go around bullying the world”

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC said the capture of the Venezuelan president was a matter of grave concern. She said no country should go around bullying others and stressed the need to prioritise the safety of Indian nationals. She added that the global community is worried about such actions and their impact on citizens worldwide.

“India has always maintained cordial relations with Venezuela, with strong diplomatic engagements over the years. This is a matter of grave concern, as ties with Latin America and South America have been carefully nurtured. The Ministry of External Affairs has advised that the safety of Indian nationals living there should be prioritised. No country can go around bullying the world; the situation must be viewed holistically. The global community today is worried about such actions, surgical strikes, and, above all, the safety of citizens, which must be seen from a collective global perspective,” Shaina NC said.

The Trump-led US administration has justified the operation by accusing Maduro of narco-terrorism, but the developments continue to draw strong reactions in India and across the world.