Venezuela Seeks Cooperation on Critical Minerals

Venezuela expressed a strong interest in collaborating with India on critical minerals to expand its economic engagements beyond the oil sector.

Critical Minerals

Critical minerals are metallic or non-metallic elements that are vital for a country’s economic growth and national security, but whose supply chains are susceptible to disruption.

• National Lists: Countries compile their own specific critical mineral lists; India has identified 30 critical minerals, including nickel, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, and others.
• Importance: They support India’s clean energy transition by facilitating EV batteries and solar panel manufacturing, which are crucial for achieving the national Net-Zero target by 2070.
• Policy Framework: India has implemented the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) under the Ministry of Mines to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of these minerals.

Venezuela

• Location: Venezuela is situated on the northern coast of South America.
• Borders: It borders the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Colombia to the southwest and west.
• Geographical Features: The Andes, the expansive grassland plains (Llanos), the Guiana Highlands, and the Caribbean coast. It hosts the world’s highest waterfall, Angel Falls.
• Resources: It has the world’s largest oil reserves and significant natural gas and mineral deposits.

The Chennai Port Authority has initiated the procurement process of its first green tug under the Green Tug Transition Programme

• The tug will use a battery-electric propulsion system and include provisions for future upgrades to other cleaner technologies.
• A tugboat is a compact, powerful vessel designed to manoeuvre larger ships by pushing or pulling.
• An e-tug powered solely by batteries achieves a 100% reduction in nitrogen and carbon emissions, whereas hybrid tugs are expected to reduce emissions by 25%–35%.

Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP)

It is an initiative by India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) to replace diesel-powered tugs with green tugs operating on non-fossil fuels.

• Policy Alignment: It is part of the Panch Karma Sankalp and aligns with the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030, Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, and India’s Net-Zero Target by 2070.
• Nodal Agency: The National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS).
• Technology Path: The transition will begin with battery-electric and hybrid systems, then expands to methanol and green-hydrogen technologies.
• Targets: All tugs at major Indian ports must be green by 2040, and all new tugs after 2033 must meet GTTP standards.
• Implementation: Phase 1 (2024–2027) requires four major ports to get at least two green tugs each; Phase 2 (2027–2030) aims for at least 50% of tug fleets in pilot ports to switch to green operations.
• Significance: The initiative promotes UN SDG 14 and supports India’s green shipbuilding efforts.

India has finalised its first-ever structured LPG import deal with the US, sourcing 2.2 MTPA—about 10% of annual LPG imports—for 2026

A one-year structured contract under which Indian PSU refiners will import 2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LPG from the US Gulf Coast in 2026—India’s first formal long-term LPG sourcing contract from the US.

Nations Involved-

• India: IOC, BPCL, HPCL
• United States: US Gulf Coast producers (Chevron, Phillips 66, TotalEnergies Trading)

Aim:

• To diversify LPG sourcing beyond West Asian suppliers.
• To strengthen India–US energy partnership, reduce trade imbalances, and improve energy security.

India’s LPG Import Profile:

• India imports around 60% of its LPG demand.
• Around 21 million tonnes imported in 2024.
• 90% of imports traditionally sourced from West Asia (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).
• India is among the world’s fastest-growing LPG markets due to Ujjwala expansion.

Key Features of the Agreement:

• Quantity: 2.2 MTPA (≈10% of India’s annual LPG imports).
• Benchmark: Based on US Mont Belvieu LPG pricing.
• Suppliers: Awarded jointly to Chevron, Phillips 66, and TotalEnergies Trading.
• Duration: Contract year 2026.

Significance:

• First structured US LPG contract, opening a new energy trade corridor.
• Reduces India’s overdependence on West Asian suppliers.
• Strengthens India–US strategic and trade ties, aiding ongoing tariff negotiations.
• Enhances energy security against supply shocks and geopolitical risks.

National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025

• The Government of India has announced the National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025, one of the highest honours in the livestock and dairy sector.
• A prestigious national award recognising outstanding contributions in the livestock and dairy sector, especially those promoting indigenous cattle and scientific dairying.
• Established in 2021 under the broader framework of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), which itself was launched in December 2014.
• Conferred by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), Government of India.

Aim:

• To encourage excellence in dairy farming, indigenous cattle conservation, cooperative dairy development, and scientific breeding services.
• To motivate stakeholders to enhance productivity and improve indigenous breeds.

Features:

Awards given in three categories:

1. Best Dairy Farmer (Indigenous breeds)
2. Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT)
3. Best Dairy Cooperative/FPO/MPC

Cash prizes:

• ₹5 lakh (1st), ₹3 lakh (2nd), ₹2 lakh (3rd).
• Special ₹2 lakh award for NER/Himalayan States.
• AIT category includes certificate & memento only.
• Recognises farmers, cooperatives, and technicians using scientific and ethical dairy practices.

Significance:

• Boosts morale of dairy farmers and enhances India’s indigenous cattle productivity.
• Strengthens rural livelihoods and contributes to India’s dairy self-reliance.
• Supports national priorities like milk quality improvement, breed conservation, and doubling farmer income.

The 16th Finance Commission

The 16th Finance Commission (2026–31), chaired by Dr Arvind Panagariya, submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu on 17 Nov 2025, after receiving a one-month extension.

The recommendations will apply for five years starting 1 April 2026, succeeding the 15th FC (2021–26) headed by N.K. Singh.

• Tax Devolution Formula: Recommends principles for sharing of the divisible tax pool between the Union and States, and its inter-state distribution.
• Grants-in-Aid Framework: Suggests criteria for revenue deficit grants, performance-based grants, and sector-specific support to States.
• Local Governance Financing: Proposes mechanisms to augment State resources for Panchayats and Municipalities, in line with Article 280.
• Disaster Finance Review: Examines utilisation structure under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• Extensive Consultations: Conducted state- and UT-level visits to assess fiscal needs, developmental disparities, and regional capacities.

Finance Commission -

• The FC is a constitutional body constituted by the President under Article 280 of the Constitution.
• It is a Quasi-Judicial body constituted every 5th year or at such an earlier time as the President deems necessary.
• It consists of a chairman and four other members to be appointed by the President. They are eligible for re-appointment.

The Army successfully validated a newly raised Rudra all-arms integrated brigade during the major tri-service Trishul exercise

A Rudra Brigade is a newly conceptualised all-arms, permanently integrated combat formation combining infantry, mechanised units, armour, artillery, air defence, engineers, signals, drones, logistics and support elements under a single operational framework.

Aim:

• To create self-contained, rapidly deployable integrated battle formations that can execute swift, multi-axis offensive strikes.
• To operationalise India’s move from Cold Start to Cold Strike, enabling faster mobilisation and decisive limited-war operations under a nuclear overhang.

Operated By:

• Operated by the Indian Army, under different regional Corps (e.g., Konark Corps on western front).
• Two Rudra brigades already deployed on the northern borders (Eastern Ladakh & Sikkim).

Key Features of Rudra Brigades-

• Fully Integrated All-Arms Formation: Combines infantry, mechanised infantry, armour, artillery, AD, engineers, signals, UAV units and logistics into one cohesive brigade during peace and war.
• Tailor-Made for Terrain: Composition changes depending on the operational theatre—deserts, plains, mountains, or LoC.
• Faster Mobilisation & Higher Readiness: Permanent integration reduces mobilisation time drastically, enabling immediate offensive action.
• Capable of Multi-Domain Operations: Equipped for operations involving land, air support, drones, sensors, precision weapons and electronic warfare.
• Built-In Force Multipliers: Includes drones, ISR systems, area-saturation artillery, attack helicopter support and rapid logistics nodes.
• Modular & Flexible Structure: Units can be added or detached based on mission requirements, enabling high adaptability.

Significance:

• Enables “Cold Strike” Doctrine: Moves beyond Cold Start by combining speed + technology + integrated logistics for deep, rapid offensives.
• Strengthens Western & Northern Borders: Enhances India’s ability to respond swiftly to Pakistan-based provocations and Chinese mobilisation.
• Reduces Response Time in Crisis: Permanent integration ensures forces are pre-aligned, trained together, and mission-ready.

Sentinel-6B satellite

Sentinel-6B satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base (USA) to strengthen global ocean-climate observation and sea-level monitoring accuracy.

Sentinel-6B : 

• Primary Objective: High-precision tracking of sea-level rise, ocean temperature and circulation to support climate science, disaster prediction & marine safety.
• Mission Partners: Jointly developed by NASA, NOAA & ESA under the EU Copernicus Programme.
• Twin-Satellite Model: Operates with Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich (2020) to ensure a continuous recording.
• Orbit Details: LEO mission moving at ~7.2 km/s, completing one orbit in ~112 minutes.
• Heritage Lineage: Continues satellite record of TOPEX/Poseidon → Jason-1/2/3 → Sentinel-6 series.

Significance:

• Climate Science Backbone: Critical for measuring long-term climate change indicators.
• Disaster Preparedness: Enhances storm, cyclone, flood & coastal inundation forecasting accuracy.
• Blue-Economy Support: Helps secure subsea cables, pipelines, ports & shipping routes.

European Union Copernicus Programme

• Launched in 1998 and previously known as the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security Programme (GMES), Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the EU space programme.
• The programme is named after Nicolaus Copernicus, the 15th-century Polish scientist who first proposed a heliocentric universe model.

Scientists from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) developed 23 novel mutant varieties of Adam Chini rice using Mutagenesis.

Mutagenesis: A plant-breeding technique to create beneficial genetic changes using physical or chemical agents, achieving improved crop traits without altering core characteristics.

Adam Chini - 

• Overview: Traditional aromatic black rice from eastern Uttar Pradesh; known for sugar crystal-like grains, strong fragrance rivalling Basmati rice and premium cooking quality.
• GI Status: Adam Chini Chawal was awarded a Geographical Indication tag in 2023 (NABARD), the second rice variety from Uttar Pradesh to be granted this distinction, after Kalanamak rice.
• Challenges: Prone to lodging due to its 165 cm height, long 155-day maturity period & low yields of 20-23 quintals/hectare, hindering large-scale cultivation despite high market demand.
• Breakthrough: New mutant varieties have reduced height (105 cm for mutant-14), earlier maturity (120 days for mutant-19) and higher yields (30-35 quintals/hectare for mutant-14, 15, 19 & 20).
• New varieties enable mass production of Adam Chini, coveted especially in Australia & New Zealand.

Prime Minister urges 10-Year national pledge to shed Colonial Mindset rooted in Macaulay’s Legacy

• Prime Minister highlighted that colonial mindset started taking root when in 1835, British MP Thomas Babington Macaulay launched a major campaign to uproot India from its cultural foundations.
• Macaulay’s Minute on Education in 1835 promoted English education in India at the expense of education in Oriental languages like Sanskrit, Hindi, Arabic etc.
• To promotion of British Education system, Mahatma Gandhi noted that India’s ancient education system was a beautiful tree that was uprooted and destroyed.

Colonial Mindset in India: Core Elements

• Language: Use of English in courts and universities is seen as aspirational, sometimes hindering access for non-English speakers.
• Culture: Colonial rule imposed Western cultural elements including western dress, food, art forms, manners, and values, often projecting Indian knowledge systems as inferior.
• Laws & Institutions: Many colonial laws, such as the IPC (Indian Penal Code), Forest Laws, Sedition etc. and criminal procedures, are rooted in establishing control rather than service.
• Economic System: Imported economic models and emphasis on private capital led to impoverishment of a large section of population. 
• Knowledge Systems: Indigenous knowledge systems forgotten due to large emphasis on imported models of research and innovation.

Cognitive Decolonisation: The Way Forward

• Policy Measures: Promoting Indian languages in the National Education Policy, reviving indigenous knowledge systems and reform of colonial era laws.
• Renaming Rajpath, a symbol of colonial rulership, to Kartavya Path, emphasising duty over entitlement.
• Cultural Revival: Revitalization of indigenous festivals and crafts nurture pride. Eg: International Yoga Day.
• For instance, the Sengol in the New Parliament Building symbolises India’s democratic and historical legacy.
• Behavioural Shift: Focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat emphasizing self-reliance in innovation, local governance, and embracing Indian thought in public life. Eg: Mission LIFE.

Ten Years of last India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)

Absence of IAFS for a long period warrant reflecting on the Opportunities and Challenges in India-Africa relations.Three IAFS have been held previously in 2008, 2011 and 2015, with a focus on broader development cooperation.

Opportunities in India-Africa Relations:

• Trade: African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) creates a single market, offering Indian investors immense scale and access.
• India is Africa's third-largest trading partner (after EU and China) with trade surpassing $100 billion.
• African-led development: Africa has been one of the world’s fastest-growing regions over past decade and this growth translates into an expanding consumer base, growing young workforce and presenting vast market opportunities.
• Soft Diplomacy: Human resource development through education and healthcare cooperation.

E.g. IITs campuses, Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), Pan-African e-Network.

• Representation in Global Institutions: India supports African representation in global institutions which boosts India’s leadership in global South-South Cooperation.

E.g. India’s push for membership for African Union in the G-20.

• Technological cooperation: India can aid Africa in leapfrogging digital infrastructure deficits through initiatives like Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

Challenges:

• Competition and Debt: India faces competition from China’s investments that could potentially push African countries in the debt-trap.
• Delays: India’s projects face issues of scale and bureaucratic drag, hindering actualization of potential.
• Geopolitical challenges: Political Instability (rise of military coups) and maritime insecurity (piracy and maritime terrorism in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)) hinder investment and long-term project viability.

Way Ahead:

• Revive IAFS-IV: Institutionalise IAFS as a regular summit, create a permanent Secretariat and renew political momentum for a unified India–Africa engagement roadmap.
• Build an India–Africa Digital Corridor: Jointly develop DPI architecture—UPI–Afripay linkages, DigiLocker-style document systems and tele-health networks to serve the wider Global South.
• Co-Invest in Strategic Future Sectors: Partner with Namibia/Morocco on green hydrogen, DRC/Zambia on EV battery minerals, and Kenya–Nigeria hubs on digital startups and AI innovation.
• Accelerate LoC Delivery: Establish a single-window LoC monitoring dashboard, fix deadlines, and empower local project execution teams to reduce long-standing implementation delays.
• Strengthen Maritime Security Architecture: Make AI-KEYME annual, enhance Western Indian Ocean coordination, and sign logistics support agreements with Kenya, Mauritius and Tanzania.
• Deepen People-to-People Connect: Double ITEC and ICCR scholarships, expand India-linked institutions like IIT-M Zanzibar, and support African students and entrepreneurs in Indian ecosystems.

Conclusion:

India–Africa ties stand at a pivotal moment, driven by shared demographics, development priorities and a shifting global order. A decade after IAFS-III, the partnership now needs stronger institutions and co-created growth rather than transactional exchanges. If India can connect, build and revive key frameworks, this relationship will anchor the Global South’s rise in the 21st century.