India to start out pilot initiatives in Venezuela

India will begin pilot initiatives in Venezuela in “precedence areas” like agriculture, prescribed drugs and digital public infrastructure, officers in New Delhi conveyed to Raul Hernandez, Vice-Minister for the Development of Information and Communication Technologies of Venezuela who paid a four-day (September 14-17) go to to India.

“Both sides agreed to hold out pilot initiatives within the precedence areas of Venezuela. Training and capability constructing in AI and associated areas had been additionally mentioned, with Venezuela displaying keenness to ship its technical personnel for programs in India. Discussions had been additionally held on different bilateral problems with mutual pursuits like area, prescribed drugs and tourism, amongst others,” mentioned an official supply about Mr. Hernandez’s go to, which coincided with rising rigidity between the U.S. and Venezuela after President Trump accused Caracas of sending narcotics into the U.S.

Mr. Hernandez met Secretary (East) P. Kumaran of the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday (September 16, 2025) and in addition met heads of outstanding establishments, together with the National Institute of Smart Governance (NISG), UIDAI for the AADHAR Digital id system, NeGD for DigiLocker, and AI BHASHINI. The discussions held in New Delhi coincided with the session that Indian ambassador PK. Ashok Babu held with Venezuela’s Minister of People’s Power for Agriculture and Lands, Julio Leon Heredia the place India-Venezuela cooperation in agriculture and livestock sectors had been mentioned.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, In 2024-’25, India-Venezuela bilateral commerce was round $1.8 billion, with Indian exports at $216 million and imports at $1.6 billion. Pharmaceuticals is the key export commodity, with India catering to virtually 40 % of Venezuela’s annual requirement.

Venezuela, which is a significant vitality producer, has been importing prescribed drugs from India to handle essential drugs shortages and excessive prices from western suppliers. MEA’s estimate is that India provided round $110 million in pharma merchandise to Venezuela throughout 2024-’25. “India has additionally been supplying vaccines and important medicines, on grant, to satisfy Venezuela’s emergency necessities,” mentioned an official supply after Mr. Hernandez’s go to.

Latin America researcher Mikhail Ilevich on the Centre for Scientific and Analytical Information of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow mentioned the stress between Venezuela and the U.S. performed a job in Venezuela reaching out to India right now.

“In common, it was anticipated, since these points for cooperation had been mentioned throughout the assembly of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez with the Indian Ambassador Ashok Babu in late August. Of course, testing the waters for strengthening cooperation between Caracas and Delhi is a consequence of the aggressive coverage of the United States,” mentioned Mr. Ilevich concerning the go to of Minister Hernandez to India.