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.

New Digital System for Public Distribution Systems

• The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, launched digital systems to enhance India’s food storage, logistics, and Public Distribution Systems (PDS).
• A modern steel‑based hub silo complex (integrated system of large cylindrical storages) was also inaugurated in Malout, Punjab, to improve scientific grain storage and reduce post-harvest losses.

Key Digital Initiatives Launched

• Bhandaran 360: A cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) that links external systems like FCI and NAFED, improving digital connectivity.

• Anna Darpan: A microservices-based cloud platform for integrated, mobile-first operations to streamline the Food Corporation of India’s (FCI) supply chain activities from procurement to sales.
• Smart EXIM: An AI- and IoT-enabled automation system that manages gate control and inventory processes, enhancing efficiency across CWC facilities.
• ASHA Platform: A platform that uses multilingual AI to facilitate feedback and grievance registration for PDS beneficiaries via automated calls in their native language.

India’s Superbug Surge

• A 2025 Lancet study found India recording the world’s highest prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) among patients undergoing a standard endoscopic procedure.

Key Findings of the Lancet Study

• India recorded the highest global prevalence of MDROs, with 83.1% of patients carrying at least one superbug (compared to 31.5% in Italy, 20.1% in the US, and 10.8% in the Netherlands).
• Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria were found in 70.2% of Indian patients, making several commonly used antibiotics ineffective.
• Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms (CROs) were detected in 23.5% of patients, and Carbapenem-Producing Enterobacterales (CPE) were virtually absent in the Netherlands.

Drivers Behind India’s High MDRO Burden

• OTC Antibiotic Misuse: Over 50% of antibiotic sales in India occur without prescription (CDDEP, 2023), leading to self-medication and incomplete dosing that accelerates resistance.
• Weak Stewardship: Only ~15–20% of Indian tertiary hospitals have functional Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes (AMSP), despite ICMR’s guidelines for mandatory adoption.
• Poor Infection Control: Nearly 70–80% of hospitals/clinics lack advanced effluent treatment systems (CSE audits), enabling resistant organisms to spread through wastewater.
• Agriculture & Livestock Use: India is among the top 5 global consumers of antibiotics in animals; poultry studies show up to 60–70% samples containing antibiotic residues or resistant strains.
• Diagnostic Gaps: <30% of infections in Indian hospitals undergo culture testing (ICMR), pushing doctors toward empirical and often unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotic use.

Iran’s Crypto Push With BRICS

• Iran is now exploring cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based trade settlements with BRICS partners, aiming to minimise reliance on the U.S. dollar-centric financial system.
• In August 2025, EU nations triggered the snapback mechanism, reactivating global sanctions over Iran’s alleged uranium enrichment, adding to long-standing U.S. sanctions since 1979.

Strategic Significance of Iran’s Move

• Sanctions Circumvention: Cryptos offer non-SWIFT, decentralised payment rails for essential imports/exports, reducing exposure to U.S.–EU tracking and freezing.
• Support for De-Dollarisation: Aligns with BRICS efforts to diversify global currency dominance by reducing USD dependence in trade and reserves.
• Trade Continuity: Helps stabilise foreign trade in energy, metals, machinery & pharma, cushioning the economy against repeated financial blockades.
• Geopolitical Signalling: Demonstrates technological and diplomatic defiance, building alternative multipolar financial pathways beyond Western systems.

Diplomatic & Economic Implications for India

• Neutral–Cautious Stance: India clarified “de-dollarisation is not part of its financial agenda” (MEA, Aug 2025), keeping distance from crypto-based settlement proposals.
• Regulatory Constraints: RBI-FEMA rules restrict cross-border crypto settlements; India focuses instead on CBDC (Digital Rupee) experimentation for future trade.
• Energy & Trade Consideration: While Iran is a traditional oil & urea partner, crypto-based bilateral trade may conflict with India–U.S. strategic alignment.
• Security Risks: Unregulated crypto networks could expose India to FATF, AML & sanctions-linked risks.

Natural Farming in India

• Context (PIB): PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the South India Natural Farming Summit 2025 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

• The Summit aims to promote eco-friendly, natural farming and to accelerate the transition towards a climate-smart, regenerative agriculture in India.

Natural Farming

• Natural farming is a chemical-free, sustainable method that relies on on-farm biological processes instead of synthetic external inputs.
• It embodies the “do-nothing farming” philosophy of Japanese farmer Masanobu Fukuoka, emphasising minimal human intervention.
• Need: Natural farming promotes climate resilience by improving soil health, conserving water, increasing biodiversity, and reducing agriculture’s overall carbon footprint.
• Benefits: Using locally available inputs lowers production costs and increases farm profitability while producing healthier, chemical-free produce.
• Challenges: Lower yields, weak certification systems, inadequate farmer training, poor pest-management capabilities, and weak market linkages limit adoption.

Key Government Initiatives

• NMNF: The National Mission on Natural Farming, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2024, is the primary initiative to promote chemical-free agriculture nationwide.
• More than 10 lakh (1 million) farmers have enrolled under the mission.
• BPKP: The Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati, once a sub-scheme of the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), promoted traditional practices; now it is part of the NMNF.

• Namami Gange: The Namami Gange Programme promotes natural farming within a 5-km corridor along both sides of the Ganga River basin to decrease chemical runoff into the river.

Indigenous Gene-Editing Tool Based on TnpB Protein

• Indian scientists at ICAR-CRRI have developed a patented gene-editing tool using TnpB proteins, providing an indigenous alternative to the globally patented CRISPR-Cas systems.

New Indigenous Gene-Editing System (TnpB)

• Molecular Scissors: Uses Transposon-associated TnpB proteins, functioning like Cas9/Cas12a to precisely cut DNA at targeted gene sites.
• Hyper-compact Size: TnpB proteins have ~400–500 amino acids, far smaller than Cas9 (1,000–1,400 aa).
• Better Delivery: Due to compactness, TnpB can be delivered via viral vectors directly into cells, avoiding tissue-culture-based delivery and reducing cost and complexity.
• Source: Uses TnpB (408 aa) derived from the extremophile bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans.

India’s Need for an Indigenous Gene-Editing System

• High Costs: Heavy reliance on imported biotech tools raises development costs and slows Agri-innovation. E.g. CRISPR licensing can add 10–20% extra cost to GE crop commercialisation.
• Strategic Autonomy: Indigenous TnpB enables Atmanirbhar Bharat by eliminating foreign IP barriers and empowering public-sector-led gene-editing programmes.
• Foreign Control: Foreign CRISPR platforms require commercial licensing fees, delaying India’s GE crop release. E.g. ICAR’s CRISPR-edited stress-tolerant rice cannot be planted until licensing terms are settled.

Gene Editing

• Gene editing modifies the plant’s existing native genes by making precise cuts at targeted DNA sites using a protein (scissors) and a guide RNA (navigator).
• It does not introduce foreign DNA; instead, it creates mutations similar to natural variations, making the technology more precise, faster, and easier to regulate.

Key Differences with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

• Native DNA: GMOs introduce foreign genes from other species; gene editing modifies only the plant’s own genes without adding external DNA.
• Regulatory Burden: GMOs face stringent, expensive regulation; gene-edited crops often pass through simpler, faster approval pathways.
• Technology Approach: GMOs rely on transgenic insertion; gene editing uses CRISPR/TnpB to achieve precise site-specific edits.
• Commercial Landscape: GMO deployment dominated by large corporations; gene editing enables public-sector and small research institutions to create new varieties.

‘BIRSA 101’ Gene Therapy

• India launched its first indigenous ‘CRISPR’ based gene therapy called ‘BIRSA 101’ for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), which particularly affects India’s tribal population.

• ‘BIRSA 101’ is named after Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the great tribal freedom fighter, coinciding with his 150^th birth anniversary.

‘BIRSA 101’

• Indigenous Platform: India’s first CRISPR-based gene therapy, developed at Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB).
• It is a significant step towards creating a Sickle Cell–Free India by 2047 and supporting the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat in frontline healthcare technologies.
• Cost Advantage: Designed to replace expensive overseas gene therapies (often costing ₹20–25 crore), enabling low-cost domestic treatment through Serum Institute of India manufacturing.
• Target Population: Prioritises India’s high-burden tribal regions of Central & Eastern India, where SCD prevalence can exceed 10–40% in some groups.

BvS10 Sindhu Armoured Vehicle

• Indian Infrastructure giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and British defence contractor BAE Systems secured a contract from the Indian army for supply of BvS10 Sindhu armoured vehicles.
• L&T will indigenously produce the vehicle in India, with design support from BAE Systems.

BvS10 Sindhu

• Overview: Indian variant of Bandvagn Skyddad 10 (BvS10) Viking all-terrain armoured vehicle to be manufactured by L&T in Hazira, Gujarat, with at least 60% indigenous content.
• Role: Designed for high-mobility operations in extreme terrain like snow, mountains, swamps, deserts; especially suitable for Ladakh and Eastern Command environments.
• Configuration: Twin-cabin design with protected front and rear modules; amphibious capability with 45° climbing and 60% gradient performance.

• Capacity: Carries 10–12 troops with a payload of ~5 tonnes, maintaining mobility even in deep snow and soft ground where wheeled vehicles fail.

ASMPA-R Missile

• France test-fired the Air-Sol Moyenne Portee-Renove (ASMPA-R) air-to-surface cruise missile from Rafale-M fighter jet & formally inducted it into service.

ASMPA-R Missile

• Latest Upgrade: Second upgraded variant of France’s ASMPA series; inducted into its Strategic Air Forces in 2023 & into its Nuclear Aeronaval Force (FANU) in 2025.
• Range & Speed: Medium-range nuclear-capable air-to-surface cruise missile with ~600 km range & Mach 3 supersonic speed.
• Propulsion: Liquid-fuel, ramjet-powered system with a solid-fuel booster for initial acceleration.
• Warhead: Speculated to carry an improved nuclear warhead; earlier ASMPA-A variant housed a nuclear warhead (100–300 kiloton yield).
• Design Changes: Features larger rear fins and smaller front fins, reversing the ASMPA-A layout, while retaining central ramjet air intake.
• Future: France is working on a future variant of ASMPA-R, the Air-Sol Nucléaire de 4th Generation (ASN4G); it will arm the next Rafale variant, Rafale F5 fighter & its naval variant.

Rudra Brigade

• India successfully tested its newly-raised integrated all-arms brigade ‘Rudra’ during the tri-Service Exercise Trishul on the western front with Pakistan.
• Southern Army Command chief Lt-General Dhiraj Seth hinted at a doctrinal shift from the traditional “Cold Start” to a quicker & robust “Cold Strike”, in this context.

Rudra Brigade

• Overview: Indian Army is converting a few of its 250 single-arm brigades (each brigade has over 3000 troops) into Rudra all-arm brigades with multi-component integration.
• Each Rudra brigade would be tailor-made for its assigned area of operation & the mission.
• Components: Infantry, mechanized infantry, tanks, artillery, air-defence systems, engineers, signals, drone detachments, logistics & combat-support teams.
• Objective: Bring together all fighting arms & support units into a self-contained group to ensure faster mobilization, better cohesion & increased efficacy.
• Current Status: Two Rudra brigades already operational along the northern borders with China – in Ladakh & Sikkim.

Gap in India’s Rank between QS Asia and QS World University Rankings

• Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) declined in QS Asia University Rankings despite achieving better positions in QS World University Rankings 2026.

Key Reasons

• Regional Competition: Indian HEIs improved their performance scores, but East and Southeast Asian universities improved faster, thereby lowering India’s relative standing.
• Metric Differences: QS Asia emphasises citations per paper, PhD-qualified staff, and exchange-mobility, where India lags; QS Global focuses on research volume, where India performs better.
• Internationalisation Gaps: Indian HEIs have low international students and faculty, while China’s Double First-Class plan focused on QS-relevant metrics like international faculty and joint research.
• Faculty Shortages: High student enrolment coupled with limited hiring capacity lowers faculty–student ratio scores across prominent Indian institutes.
• Structural Bias: Survey‑based reputation metrics favour institutions with stronger global networks or branding initiatives, resulting in structural disadvantages.

Codex Alimentarius Commission

• India was re-elected to the Executive Committee (CCEXEC) for the Asia region of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), securing a unanimous mandate by the global members.

• The 48^th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC48) was hosted at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Codex Alimentarius Commission

• Overview: International intergovernmental body established in 1963 by World Health Organization (WHO) & FAO under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.
• Membership: Open to all member nations & associate members of WHO & FAO. As of 2025, it has 189 members – 188 member countries (including India) & one member organization (European Union).
• India joined CAC in 1964, thus not a founding member.
• Standards: CAC maintains Codex Alimentarius (Food Code) – a collection of standards, guidelines & codes of practices to promote consumer health & fairness in the food trade.
• CAC standards are voluntary but governments adopt them worldwide & they serve as reference points for World Trade Organization (WTO) in dispute settlement.

• Operations: CAC meets annually, alternating between Geneva & Rome & works in the six official UN languages to harmonize food safety worldwide.

• Executive Committee: 17 members (Chair, 3 vice-Chairs, 6 regional coordinators, 7 elected members) & members serve a two-year term to guide work between annual Commission meetings.