Indian Prime Minister held talks with the Acting President of Venezuela in New Delhi and reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and emphasizing cooperation within the Global South.

About India- Venezuela Relations

• Bilateral trade: US$ 678.94 million (FY 2025-26) with Indian exports of US$ 210 million
  • India’s exports: Mineral fuels & oils, pharmaceuticals, cotton, and nuclear reactors/machinery.
  • India’s imports: Crude oil, mineral waxes, iron & steel, aluminium, vegetables, copper, lead, and zinc.
• Energy Partnership: Venezuela possesses one of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, and has emerged as the 3^rd largest oil supplier to India in May 2026.
• Cultural & People-to-People Ties: Several spiritual organizations such as Sathya Sai Organization, Brahma Kumaris, and Radha Soami Satsang have established centres in Venezuela.

The India–UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO) was formally launched.

• It was announced during the India–UK Prime Ministers' bilateral engagement in 2025 and formalized through a Research Collaboration Agreement signed in March 2026.

About Critical Minerals GSCO

• It is a joint initiative of TEXMiN (TTRP, DST), IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and the University of Cambridge.
• Aim:  To create a data-driven platform for monitoring and analysing global critical mineral supply chains.
• Significance: Identify supply risks and disruptions; generate market intelligence; support informed decision-making; and advance the goals of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).

Fortytwo Labs' (an Indian deep-tech cybersecurity company) domestically built Quantum-Safe Algorithm gets India’s first C-SAFE recognition by the Data Security Council of India (DSCI).

• C-SAFE (Cryptographic Security Assessment and Functional Evaluation) is India's first independent cryptographic evaluation programme, built by DSCI.
• DSCI is a private, not-for-profit industry body, established by NASSCOM.

About Quantum Safe Algorithm

• Also known as post-quantum cryptography is a cryptographic method designed to withstand cyberattacks from future quantum computers. 
• These algorithms protect digital data by relying on complex math problems that remain difficult for both classical and quantum machines to solve.
• Cryptographic Sovereignty: It reduces India’s dependency on foreign-designed and foreign-controlled cryptographic primitives for critical infrastructure.

Pakistan has accused India of violating the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) as India plans to divert Chenab river water to the Beas river.

• India put the IWT in "abeyance" after the Pahalgam terror attack.

About IWT

• Origin: Signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan mediated by the World Bank.
• Governs sharing of Indus Basin rivers: Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi (Eastern Rivers), and Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab (Western Rivers).
  • India has unrestricted rights over the Eastern Rivers, while the Western Rivers are largely reserved for Pakistan, subject to limited uses by India.
•  Three-tier mechanism for Dispute resolution: Permanent Indus Commission (PIC), Neutral Expert, and Court of Arbitration for unresolved disputes.

A total of 17 projects or initiatives have been selected for the National Awards for e-Governance 2026.

About National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG)

• Aim:  To recognize and promote excellence in implementation of e-Governance initiatives.
• Instituted by: Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in 2003.
• Eligibility:  All Central Ministries/Departments, State/UT Governments, Districts, Local Bodies, Central & State Government Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Academic/Research Institutions (Government and Non –Government)
• The awards consist of a trophy, certificate and an incentive of Rs 10 lakh for gold awardees and Rs 5 lakh for silver awardees.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has detected methane on interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS for the first time.

About James Webb Space Telescope

• It is the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, designed to explore the Universe's origins by studying the formation of stars, planets, and the earliest galaxies.
• It is an international partnership between NASA, ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).
• It observes the universe in the infrared spectrum.
• Launch: In 2021, aboard Ariane from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana
• Orbit: Lagrange point 2, 1.5 million km from Earth

Biomimicry offers a framework to shift from replication to innovation using natural principles.

About Biomimicry

• It is the practice of learning from and emulating nature’s designs, processes and systems to solve human problems and create sustainable innovations.
• Application:
  • Transportation & Engineering: Japan's Shinkansen trains adopted the kingfisher's beak design, reducing tunnel noise and improving speed.
  • Architecture & Energy: Zimbabwe's Eastgate Centre mimics termite mounds for natural cooling and energy efficiency. 
  • Materials Science: Lotus leaves inspired self-cleaning, water-repellent paints and fabrics. 

ANRF-supported digital portal was announced to facilitate training in patent filing support and research paper writing assistance for researchers, students and innovators across the country.

About Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

• Genesis: Established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023.
  • The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) was subsumed into ANRF. 
• Function: Serves as India's apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research as per recommendations of the National Education Policy.
  • It promotes industry–academia collaboration, supports competitive research grants, develops research infrastructure and encourages private-sector participation in R&D.
• Major initiatives: Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA) covering sectors such as Electric Vehicles, MedTech, 2D Materials and AI for Science and Engineering;  Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR); Ramanujan Fellowship etc. 

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) pulled up the government over PMKVY mismatch between training and demand.

Key Issues raised by the PAC

• Demand-Training Mismatch: disproportionately focused on sectors with lower employment demand, such as apparel, electronics, and retail.
• Certification Gap: Against a set target of training and certifying 1.32 crore candidates, 1.10 crore candidates were certified.

About PMKVY:

• It is a flagship scheme for skill certification to help Indian youth take up industry-relevant skill training to get better livelihoods.
• Launched: In 2015 by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

• Implementing Agency: National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).