NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected govt of Bangladesh led by Tarique Rahman, chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in Dhaka on Feb 17. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri will accompany him, according to official sources.BNP had invited PM Narendra Modi for the oath ceremony, along with the leaders of a dozen other countries, including Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif. However, there was never any question of the PM travelling as the date and even the time of the swearing-in was clashing with his bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai that was scheduled weeks in advance.The foreign ministry said Birla’s participation at this “important event” underscored the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh, reaffirming India’s steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind the two nations.“As neighbours united by a shared history, culture, and mutual respect, India welcomes Bangladesh’s transition to an elected govt under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, whose vision and values have received an overwhelming mandate of the people,” MEA said in a statement.Modi was among the first global leaders to congratulate Rahman on X on Friday morning, shortly after it became evident the BNP leader was going to form the new govt with absolute majority. Modi said the results reflected the trust that the Bangladesh people had in Rahman’s leadership. Later in the day, he also became the first foreign leader to speak to Rahman and offer cooperation with him in his efforts to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh.Importantly for India, BNP responded positively to Modi’s messages as it said Bangladesh remained committed to upholding democratic values, inclusivity, and progressive development for all its citizens.“We look forward to engaging constructively with India to advance our multifaceted relationship, guided by mutual respect, sensitivity to each other’s concerns, and a shared commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in our region,” said the party.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday cited the global context to argue in favour of modernising India’s defence sector, while calling upon the private sector to step up its act and share the gains with workers and shareholders.“Since Day 1, our govt has been clear we will do whatever it takes to support our defence forces and strengthen them. Yes, this year’s allocation is a record high, but viewing it in isolation only provides a limited perspective…As technology reshapes the world, our armed forces must be equipped with the best of Indian innovation and industry. As a nation that is playing an increasingly important role in the world, we have a duty to modernise our defence sector in line with current realities,” PM Modi told PTI in an interview.The comments come in the backdrop of an increasingly-fragile world, which is undergoing a shift in the power equations with the US and China seeking to stamp their expansionist policies, while conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia have been going on with no immediate resolution in sight. India has to contend with hostilities in the neighbourhood with cyber technology adding to challenges.The PM referred to Operation Sindoor, which showed India’s familiarisation with the tech warfare.

Trade deals part of global integration: PMThe entire nation is proud of the courage shown by our armed forces during Operation Sindoor. During the operation, one could see the benefits of the reforms we have undertaken in the last decade. Therefore, defence budgets, modernisation, etc, all these are parts of our continuous effort and need not be linked to any particular issue. Yes, the reality is that our nation has to be strong and be prepared at all times, and that is what we are doing,” PM Modi said.Asked about the recent trade agreements, the PM said that they have been part of India’s global integration with the world, which has picked pace in recent times. Asserting that the recent deals — from the UK to the EU — have been in the pipeline for years and will help Indian producers diversify their markets besides opening opportunities for service professionals.“These trade agreements are significant not merely because of tariff reductions but because of supply-chain integration and market access in advanced economies. They gradually liberalise manufacturing tariffs, deepen services integration and create new avenues for labour-intensive exports such as textiles, footwear, electronics and engineering goods. In that sense, they support structural transformation rather than simply boosting headline trade numbers. These FTAs also anchor domestic reform to external commitments. They widen export opportunities, reduce tariff disadvantages relative to competitors, and integrate Indian firms more deeply into global value chains,” the PM said. PM Modi also called on the private sector for a “decisive response” to the govt’s reforms, for which he redoubled his vow.

“Indian firms must invest more aggressively in research and development, adopt frontier technologies, deepen supply-chain capabilities and compete on quality and productivity rather than on protected margins. Incentives and tariff preferences can catalyse growth, but durable competitiveness must rest on innovation, efficiency and scale. Equally, as productivity rises, the gains must be shared fairly between workers, shareholders and owner-managers. Sustainable growth requires social legitimacy. Rising real wages, skill upgrading, and stable employment reinforce domestic demand and social cohesion, which, in turn, support long-term investment,” he said.Asked about the Budget’s emphasis on women, PM said welfare of women guided every govt decision. “…it is a matter of national pride that our finance minister, Nirmala Ji has presented the Budget nine consecutive times, which is a record and a matter of pride in itself. Several women across India feel inspired by this,” he said.While listing out several initiatives in the Budget, the PM made special reference to the announcement related to hostels. “Many girls drop out not because of a lack of talent, but because commuting long distances to labs and late study hours are difficult. This intervention directly addresses that constraint.”Further, PM Modi said the steps related to training of Allied Health Professionals, which will benefit women. “Women have always been at the centre of caregiving, but this is largely in the informal sector. By training 1.5 lakh caregivers next year and expanding institutions for Allied Health Professionals, with a target of 1 lakh trained over 5 years, we are embarking on a large-scale effort to formalise care work. This does two things: it creates dignified, certified employment for women and simultaneously strengthens India’s healthcare capacity.”

COLOMBO: It was barely five minutes after the match was over at the Premadasa Stadium on Sunday when Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube were back in the middle, bowling on the practice pitches. No over-the-top celebrations, no outpouring of emotions, just a sense of another routine victory against a Pakistan team that India don’t think are their match at the moment.The 61-run win, the fourth on the bounce after their hat-trick of victories against their once arch-rivals in the Asia Cup, have now ensured a Super-8 spot for India. A lot had happened in the build-up to this game and even on Sunday, the much-anticipated handshakes between the captains didn’t happen.While the unease off the pitch persisted, India were just too much when the ball rolled. Even a few months ago, Ishan Kishan (77 off 40 balls) wasn’t even close to a spot in the Indian T20 team. But now that he is there, the 27-year old is proving that he can give his teammate Abhishek Sharma a run for his money as the best T20 opener in the world.Abhishek’s early dismissal on a slow Premadasa track could have been a big blow, but not when Ishan was in the form that he is in. The Pakistan bowlers were dealt with disdain and the cuts and sweeps that the Jharkhand boy unleashed took India to 52 runs in the first six overs, which was at least 20 over par on this track.“The pitch was not that easy. Sometimes, you just have to believe and focus on your strengths. I was just watching the ball, sticking to my strengths and making them run as much as possible,” Man of the Match Kishan said at the end of the match.After his exit, India showed smartness to reach a total of 175 against some quality spin, pushing Pakistan into taking tremendous risks right at the beginning of their chase.They were not up for it with Jasprit Bumrah (2-17) and Hardik Pandya (2-16) doing the early damage. The spinners, who bowled 18 of Pakistan’s 20 overs, came into play for India only after the pacemen had all but sealed the deal.“This is for India. We played the brand of cricket we wanted to play. We thought 175 was 15-20 runs over par — 155 would have made it a very tight game,” captain Surya Kumar Yadav said, as the thousands of touring Indian fans went home a happy lot.This story continues on page 17 in the newspaper. For your reading convenience we have added it below.Jaishankar on Russia ties: Firmly wedded to strategic autonomyNew Delhi: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said India remains firmly committed to strategic autonomy, even as the global energy markets evolve and partnerships shift. He was responding to a question at the Munich Security Conference whether a recent trade agreement with the US would affect New Delhi’s energy ties with Russia and if India was finding it difficult to exercise its strategic autonomy in the current circumstances.India maintains its energy policy is driven by national interests and the actual crude sourcing is done by oil companies taking into account pricing, reliability and other market conditions.“We are very much wedded to strategic autonomy because it’s a part of our history and our evolution. It’s something which is very deep, and something which cuts across the political spectrum as well,” he said.Addressing concerns over energy sourcing, the EAM described the global oil market as complex and dynamic, stressing that commercial considerations guide procurement decisions.“As for energy issues, this is a complex market today. Oil companies in India, as in Europe, as probably in other parts of the world, look at availability, look at costs, look at risks and take the decisions that they feel are in their best interest,” he noted.Jaishankar said that in a rapidly changing global environment, countries continuously reassess their calculations and partnerships.“So many things are changing, and so many of us are doing our calculations and recalculations,” he said, adding while India may not agree with all partners on every issue, dialogue and a willingness to find common ground remain important.“We would not necessarily agree on everything but I do believe that by doing that, and if there is an inclination to find common ground and overlaps, that would happen,” he said.Noting India’s independent decision-making, he said, “If the bottom line of your question is would I remain independent-minded and make my decisions? And would I make choices which sometimes may not agree with your thinking or somebody else’s thinking, yes, it can happen.”He met with G7 foreign ministers and their global counterparts at the Munich Security Conference 2026, reiterating India’s support for the UN80 agenda and underscoring New Delhi’s role in safeguarding global security.Jaishankar also stressed on India’s role in safeguarding sea lines of communication, acting as a first responder in crises, strengthening port security and contributing to resilient submarine cable infrastructure.

JAMMU: Gulam Ali Khatana, a BJP Rajya Sabha member from J&K, is under fire for allocating a lion’s share of his MP local area development fund (MPLAD) to projects in UP than in the state he represents in the Upper House of Parliament.“What is the purpose of nominating an MP from J&K if 94% of his development funds are spent in Uttar Pradesh? This exposes the harsh truth: J&K’s representation has been reduced to symbolism, while its people are denied their rightful share,” governing National Conference spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said.Khatana, who joined the BJP in 2008 and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2022 from Jammu region, is a native of Jammu.Under the MPLAD scheme, nominated Rajya Sabha members are permitted to recommend development works in any state or district across the country. Using the scheme, Khatana recommended 139 development projects in Shahjahanpur, three in Pilibhit, one in Chandauli and one in Badaun in UP.In Jammu and Kashmir, he recommended 17 projects for Jammu district, six for Samba, one for Kathua, six for Poonch and two for Rajouri.PDP spokesperson Aditya Gupta said, “He entered Parliament from J&K, but his development funds went to UP. This is the BJP model. Votes from Jammu, funds for UP.”“Jammu wasn’t betrayed by outsiders, it has always been our own MPs and MLAs who sold our interests,” Gupta said.Khatana defended his decision. “I was nominated MP. I can recommend works in any part of the country,” he told TOI.Sadiq said that when Khatana was nominated, it was projected as a move to empower the Gujjar community.Khatana comes from the Gujjar community.

NEW DELHI: The Mumbai Port Authority (MPA) and the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) are still awaiting the delivery of three patrol boats, more than eight months beyond the maximum stipulated timeline under their contracts. In the case of two other major ports — Paradip and VO Chidambarnar, two such boats were delivered late.The four major port authorities awarded these contracts to Mumbai-based Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Ltd. Patrol boats for ports are specialized, fast, and agile vessels designed for security, surveillance, and law enforcement in harbours and coastal areas.The four major port authorities awarded these works to Mumbai-based Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works LtdThe MPA awarded a tender to the firm in September 2024 to hire two fully operational patrol boats for deployment over seven years. The boats were scheduled to be delivered by March 23, 2025, but the company failed to meet the deadline.Last month, the port authority issued a termination notice to the company, citing its failure to provide substitute patrol boats with similar technical specifications during the period of non-availability or delay. The letter, dated January 8, 2026, also stated that the delay had caused a loss of Rs 35 lakh to the port authority. The company was asked to confirm compliance by January 20, failing which the contract could be terminated.The MPA did not respond to repeated queries regarding the status of the contract.Similarly, the NMPA awarded a contract to the same firm in August 2024 for hiring one patrol boat, with delivery scheduled for May 2025. The company was permitted a delayed delivery until July 2025, subject to the maximum applicable liquidated damages. However, the boat has still not been delivered.A senior NMPA official said the contracted cost of the patrol boat was Rs 9.7 crore, and it remains undelivered. The port authority has also not terminated the contract despite the delay.Sources in the ports and shipping ministry said that since port authorities are empowered to take decisions regarding contracts and operations, they are responsible for initiating appropriate action.

The Delhi government has launched an initiative to issue a ‘Bhu-Aadhaar’ card, according a unique 14-digit identification number to each land parcel in the city, in a move aimed at ending land boundary related disputes, chief minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday.A new digital land map of Delhi will be prepared using drone survey and high-resolution imaging, she said, asserting that the Bhu-Aadhaar is a “revolutionary step” towards realising the prime minister’s vision of ‘Digital India‘.

The Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN), dubbed Bhu-Aadhaar, was launched as part of the Centre’s Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) in 2021.This step is part of the government’s push to modernise Delhi’s land records, freeing citizens from long-standing land disputes, the Delhi CMO said in a statement.The implementation of ULPIN has been entrusted to the IT branch of the revenue department, which will also be supported by the Survey of India.Approximately 2 TB (terabyte) of high-quality geospatial data and drone-based Ortho Rectified Images (ORI) are being obtained from the Survey of India for generating accurate ULPINs for all areas of Delhi, including 48 villages already covered under the SVAMITVA scheme, the statement said.Earlier, Rs 1.32 crore had been allocated for the project, with financial management overseen by the IT branch. The government will now expand the system across Delhi in a phased manner under a standard operating procedure with defined timelines, it said.A pilot project has already been completed in Tilangpur Kotla village in West Delhi district, where 274 ULPIN records have been successfully generated.The Bhu-Aadhaar system will ensure complete transparency in land ownership. The 14-digit code will be geo-referenced, thereby minimising disputes over land boundaries, the CMO said.It will facilitate coordination of land data among various government departments and effectively curb fraudulent transactions and multiple registrations, it said For citizens, the move is expected bring ease and convenience. Instead of navigating multiple documents to establish land ownership, a single number will provide comprehensive details of the property, the statement added.

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NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar extended greetings to the government and people of Serbia on their Statehood Day during his visit to Munich for the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) on Sunday.The external affairs minister had earlier met Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Marko Djuric on the sidelines of the conference on Saturday. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Greetings to FM @markodjuric, the government and people of Serbia on their Statehood Day. Appreciate our long-standing partnership.”

In an X post, the Serbian foreign ministry said, “Happy #StatehoodDay of #Serbia, #Sretenje! Today, we remember the historic moments that laid the foundations of our modern state and affirmed the ideals of freedom and constitutionalism. Proud of our tradition, we continue to build Serbia’s future on the principles of peace, stability, and unity!”According to an official press release issued by the Serbian foreign ministry, on the sidelines of the MSC, Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Djuric met with Jaishankar, with whom he discussed issues important to improving relations and global issues in a changing world.The talks reaffirmed that India and Serbia share a traditional friendship dating back to the Non-Aligned Movement era and are committed to further strengthening comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation, the press release said. Djuric expressed satisfaction over the upcoming participation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, highlighting the significance of high-level engagements in boosting ties. He also invited Jaishankar to visit Serbia in the near future.During the meeting, Djuric thanked India for its consistent stance on the non-recognition of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence and briefed the Indian side on recent developments related to the EU-facilitated dialogue.The ministers agreed that there is scope to strengthen economic cooperation and collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Djuric also invited India to participate in Expo 2027 in Belgrade, expressing hope that India would be among the countries showcasing its culture and innovation at the international exhibition, according to the press release. The interaction marked another step in ongoing diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Belgrade amid broader discussions at the Munich Security Conference.According to the MEA Brief, India and Serbia (as part of former Yugoslavia) have traditionally enjoyed deep friendship, as co-founders of the Non-Aligned Movement. The deep bond of friendship continued in subsequent decades, resulting in close and friendly ties between India and Serbia. In 2023, the two countries celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. India has given principled support to Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and has not recognised Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of Independence (UDI). India and Serbia share converging views on many global issues and support each other in international fora. To mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, a jubilee stamp was issued jointly by the Serbian Foreign Ministry and Serbia Post in December 2023 as a token of friendship between the two countries. The image on the postal stamp is of the Victor monument in Belgrade and the Statue of Unity in India.

The Center of Policy Research and Governance (CPRG), as part of its Future of Society initiative, will organise a series of main summit events and official dialogues during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled from February 16 to 20 across multiple venues in New Delhi. The sessions will focus on artificial intelligence’s implications for education, employability, data governance, and institutional transformation.On February 16, CPRG will host two sessions at Bharat Mandapam: Future of Employability in the Age of AI, organised with AI4India, and AI for Education: Future-Ready Universities and Schools. On February 17, the PadhAI Conclave 2.0: Reimagining the Indian Education System will take place at Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre. February 18 will see Data for Development: Building AI in the Global South at Bharat Mandapam, and the final session, Reimagining Education in the Age of AI, will be held on February 20 at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan.

Ahead of the summit, Dr Ramanand, Director of CPRG, said, “This Summit comes at an important juncture. The discussion around AI is no longer confined to panels and reports. It is already reflected in the way institutions are functioning,” adding “The task now is to examine how these steps are being shaped and what frameworks will guide them going forward. Through our engagements during the Summit week, CPRG will place these questions at the centre of discussion.” Participants include senior ministers, policymakers, international experts, and industry leaders. Among them are Shri Jitin Prasada, minister of State for commerce & industry and electronics & IT, Shri Ashish Sood, minister of education, Delhi, Shri Nishikant Dubey, Member of Parliament, Ms Anne Neuberger, former US deputy national security advisor; Mr Johan Harvard, Tony Blair Institute; and Dr R. Balasubramaniam, Capacity Building Commission.Industry representatives include Shri Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder of Info Edge, and Shri Gokul Subramaniam, Intel India President.