Junior Digest

Dhaka [Bangladesh], February 22,2026: Tourist visa services from Bangladeshi diplomatic missions located in India will resume on Monday, a Bangladesh Foreign Ministry official stated on Sunday.The Bangladesh government had suspended tourist visa services from its diplomatic missions in India due to security reasons. However, after the Bangladesh election, the situation has improved, and the visa service will be fully resumed from Monday.”Including the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi, and in various cities of India such as Guwahati, Agartala, Mumbai and Kolkata–wherever Bangladeshi diplomatic missions are located–apart from tourist visas, other visa services were mostly ongoing. However, tourist visas had generally been stopped, though they were still issued in urgent cases,” a Bangladesh Foreign Ministry official said on Sunday.

“Although we did not formally announce it as stopped, we are not formally announcing it as resumed either; in fact, it was ongoing and will now be expanded widely from Monday,” the official told. Additionally, around the election held in Bangladesh on February 12, the Bangladesh government had instructed its missions in India to suspend tourist visas from January 15 to February 15. In urgent cases, visas were issued. Apart from India, due to security reasons, services were also completely stopped for countries such as Bhutan and Nepal. Now, after reviewing the overall situation, all types of visas, including tourist visas, are being fully resumed from all places from Monday.Indian visa services for Bangladeshis are still suspended–specifically tourist visa services, though some categories remain ongoing.
During the period of the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, relations between India and Bangladesh had deteriorated. However, after the February 12 election, when the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office, there are signs of improvement in relations. At the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet after the election, a high-level Indian delegation led by Speaker Om Birla participated and met with the Prime Minister.

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 22,2026: The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has reported elevated Ultraviolet (UV) index levels across parts of Kerala during the past 24 hours and has urged the public to take strict precautionary measures against prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Data collected from 14 UV monitoring stations installed by KSDMA in collaboration with ICFOSS indicate that several locations witnessed high readings, with the highest UV index touching 10 in high-range areas, including Munnar.

Elevated levels were also recorded in places such as Konni, Chengannur, and Changanassery, prompting alerts in these regions.

Authorities stated that UV radiation is typically at its peak between 10 am and 3 pm, and continuous exposure during these hours can lead to sunburn, skin diseases, eye disorders, and other health complications.

The advisory emphasises that even on clear, cloudless days, UV intensity can remain high. In addition, reflective surfaces such as water bodies and sand can increase exposure levels.

High-altitude regions and tropical areas generally experience stronger UV radiation, and Kerala’s climatic conditions make certain regions particularly vulnerable during this period.

Special caution has been advised for outdoor workers, fishermen engaged in marine and inland fishing, those involved in water transport, motorcycle riders, tourists, individuals with skin and eye ailments, cancer patients, and persons with weakened immunity.

The authority recommends minimising direct sun exposure during peak hours, using protective gear such as hats, umbrellas, and sunglasses while stepping outdoors, and wearing full-sleeved cotton clothing that covers the body adequately. People travelling or working outdoors are advised to take regular breaks in shaded areas.

Real-time UV index data from all 14 monitoring stations can be accessed through the state disaster management authority’s public dashboard.

Feb 22,2026: Pakistan’s military has carried out air strikes in Afghanistan, targeting what it called “camps and hideouts” belonging to armed groups behind a spate of recent attacks, including a deadly suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad.
Afghan sources told that at least 17 people were killed in Nangarhar.
The attacks threaten a fragile ceasefire between the South Asian neighbours, negotiated following deadly border clashes that killed dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected fighters in October last year.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement on X that the country’s military conducted “intelligence-based, selective operations” against seven camps and hideouts belonging to the Pakistan Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and its affiliates.

An affiliate of the Islamic State group was also targeted in the border region, it said.

The ministry said it had “conclusive evidence” that recent attacks in Islamabad, as well as in the northwestern Bajaur and Bannu districts, were perpetrated by fighters “on behest of their Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers”.

It said Pakistan has repeatedly urged Afghanistan’s Taliban government to take action to prevent armed groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks, but that Kabul has failed to “undertake any substantive action”.

Pakistan “has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region”, it added, but said the safety and security of Pakistani citizens remained its top priority.

The Pakistani air strikes on Afghanistan came hours after a suicide bomber targeted a security convoy in the Bannu district of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing two soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel.

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 21,2026: India’s space launch systems must be formally classified and protected as Cyber-Physical Critical Infrastructure (CPCI) under a Classified Consequence-Driven Cyber-Informed Engineering (C-CIE) framework, according to cyber-physical security specialist K S Manoj here on Saturday.

Manoj, Director of Intelegrid, told UNI that modern launch vehicles operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have evolved into tightly integrated cyber-physical systems in which digital control logic directly governs high-energy propulsion, navigation, and guidance functions.

“Today’s launch vehicles are not merely propulsion-driven mechanical systems. They are firmware-controlled, sensor-fused, software-defined cyber-physical platforms. That fundamentally changes the security equation,” Manoj said.

He explained that vehicles such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle depend on embedded flight computers, digital guidance algorithms, FPGA-based thrust vector control, and globally distributed electronics supply chains. In such systems, even minor digital perturbations can amplify into mission-scale physical consequences.

“Orbital insertion margins are tight. Guidance errors compound exponentially. Small parameter deviations can translate into large trajectory errors,” he noted, arguing that this amplification factor places launch vehicles squarely within the Cyber-Physical Critical Infrastructure domain.

Moving beyond conventional cybersecurity models, Manoj stressed that high-energy strategic systems require consequence-anchored protection rather than vulnerability-centric approaches.

“Security must be anchored in consequences. Instead of asking what vulnerabilities exist, we must ask what physical outcomes are intolerable, and how digital manipulation could trigger them,” he said.

This philosophy, known as Consequence-Driven Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE), begins by identifying catastrophic outcomes such as vehicle loss, payload destruction, or incorrect orbital insertion, and then works backward to map physics pathways and potential digital triggers.

For sovereign launch systems, he emphasised that such consequence mapping cannot remain purely academic or open domain.

“Space systems operate in a strategic environment. Threat modelling, telemetry sensitivity analysis, and supply chain risk mapping must occur within classified frameworks. That is why we need C-CIE, Classified Consequence-Driven Cyber-Informed Engineering,” he stated.

With growing private sector participation and globally distributed semiconductor supply chains, the cyber-physical risk surface is expanding, he cautioned, adding that the objective is not alarmism but engineering consequence immunity into strategically vital systems.

Under a C-CIE framework, Manoj suggested measures including immutable cryptographically verified flight parameters, independent trajectory recomputation channels, hardware root-of-trust in avionics, real-time physics envelope validation, and zero-trust supply chain validation.

“The aim is not merely to prevent intrusion, but to ensure that even if a digital anomaly occurs, it cannot cascade into catastrophic physical amplification,” he said.

He observed that while sectors such as power, banking, and telecom are widely recognised as Critical Information Infrastructure, space launch systems are still largely viewed through aerospace reliability lenses.

“That separation is outdated. Launch vehicles are sovereign strategic assets. Their protection doctrine must reflect their cyber-physical nature,” he added, calling for formal recognition of launch systems as Cyber-Physical Critical Infrastructure under national security doctrine, supported by structured C-CIE governance.

As India expands its commercial launch footprint and strategic missions, Manoj said the next generation of resilience must be physics-anchored.

“The future of sovereign space resilience lies in secure-by-physics engineering, where cyber manipulation cannot translate into mission-scale physical consequence. Nations that treat launch systems as cyber-physical strategic infrastructure, rather than purely aerospace platforms, will define the global standard for space security in the coming decade,” he said.

Guwahati/New Delhi, Feb 17,2026: The full bench of the Election Commission of India, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, on Tuesday held a series of meetings with recognised national and state political parties in Guwahati to review preparedness for the upcoming elections in Assam.

The meeting was also attended by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Assam and other senior officials of the Commission.

Representatives of four recognised national parties- Aam Aadmi Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Indian National Congress- participated in the discussions.

Among the recognised state parties, leaders from All India United Democratic Front, Asom Gana Parishad, Bodoland People’s Front and United People’s Party Liberal were present.

According to a press note issued by the poll panel, a majority of political parties urged the Commission to conduct the elections in a single phase or, at most, in two phases to ensure smoother logistics and minimise prolonged campaigning.

“Most parties were of the view that a single-phase election, or a maximum of two phases, would be preferable for administrative convenience as well as voter participation,” the EC said in its press note.

Another key demand raised during the meeting was that the poll schedule should take into account the Bihu festival, one of Assam’s most significant cultural celebrations.

“Political parties requested that election dates be announced, keeping in mind the Bihu festival so that voters can participate fully in both the democratic process and traditional festivities,” the poll panel note added.

The parties generally appreciated the recent Special Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls conducted in the state, terming it an important step in ensuring the accuracy and inclusiveness of voter lists.

Commission officials noted that suggestions were also put forward for ensuring the peaceful and smooth conduct of elections, including enhanced coordination between district authorities and political representatives.

During the interaction, the Commission reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair and transparent elections in accordance with the law.

“The Commission values the constructive suggestions made by political parties and will examine them carefully while finalising the election schedule and arrangements,” the ECI said.

The visit to Guwahati is part of the Commission’s broader consultative exercise with stakeholders ahead of the announcement of the election schedule for Assam. State Assembly elections .in Assam are due around March-April.

Washington, Feb 17,2026: US President Donald Trump on Monday said he would be involved “indirectly” in high-level nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, set for Tuesday in Geneva. He also urged Iran to be “reasonable” during the discussions, reminding Tehran of the June 2025 B‑2 bomber strike on its nuclear facilities.

“I’ll be involved in those talks, indirectly. And they’ll be very important,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.”I hope they’re going to be more reasonable,” Trump added.

The upcoming Geneva session marks a continuation of the nuclear dialogue, with US envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner expected to attend.

When asked about the potential for an agreement, Trump said Iran has historically taken a hard line but learned lessons from last summer’s US strikes on its nuclear sites. He suggested Tehran is now more inclined to negotiate.

Before the US strikes in June, negotiations had stalled over Washington’s insistence that Iran halt uranium enrichment that can lead toward nuclear weapons capability.

“”I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump said. “It will be very important. Iran is a tough negotiator, but I would say they are bad negotiators, as we could have had a deal instead of sending out B-2s (B-2 Bombers) to knock out their nuclear potential. I hope they are going to be more reasonable. They want to make a deal… We have peace in the Middle East. You will see some flames here and there, but we essentially have peace in the Middle East. That happened because we did a B-2 attack on the nuclear potential. They would have had a nuclear weapon within one month. If that happened, it would have been a whole different deal,” Trump said, referencing the stealth bombers used in the attacks.

The talks follow the initial indirect round in Oman on February 6, during which Iran insisted on the right to enrich uranium, while the US sought broader discussions on missiles and regional proxies, including Hezbollah. Both sides described the first meeting as a “good start,” despite lingering differences.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that President Trump favors diplomatic solutions and that the administration remains focused on negotiations.

Iran conducted a military exercise on Monday in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane and oil route from Gulf nations, which have been advocating for diplomacy to ease tensions.

These remarks differ from comments he made on Friday, when he suggested regime change in Iran and criticized decades of stalled negotiations.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog in Geneva, posting on X that he was there to “achieve a fair and equitable deal.”

“What is not on the table: submission before threats,” Araqchi said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly requested clarity on Iran’s 440 kg (970 pounds) stockpile of highly enriched uranium following last year’s Israeli-U.S. strikes and has sought full access to the sites in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.

Iran has warned it may close the Strait of Hormuz in response to any attack, which would disrupt roughly one-fifth of global oil exports and drive up crude prices.

Washington wants to discuss non-nuclear issues, such as Iran’s missile program, but Tehran insists its missile capabilities are off the table and will only discuss nuclear restrictions in return for sanctions relief.

During a visit to Hungary on Monday, Rubio described reaching a deal with Tehran as challenging.

“I think that there’s an opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement … but I don’t want to overstate it either,” Rubio said.

“It’s going to be hard. It’s been very difficult for anyone to do real deals with Iran, because we’re dealing with radical Shia clerics who are making theological decisions, not geopolitical ones. Doing a deal with Iran is not easy,” Rubio said.

Iran is run by “radical Shia clerics” who “make policy decisions on the basis of pure theology,” he added.

Still, Rubio said the U.S. remains committed to diplomacy: “We’ve always said it’s hard, but we’re going to try. That’s what the president (Donald Trump) is trying.”

“I’m certainly not going to negotiate with Iran here in front of the press and on the stage. Our negotiators are on their way there now. They’ll have meetings. We’ll see what happens,” he said.

“The president always prefers peaceful outcomes and negotiated outcomes to things,” Rubio added.

“I think there’s an opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement that addresses the things we’re concerned about.”

New Delhi, Feb 14,2026: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved three major multi-tracking railway projects spanning 12 districts across Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka, aimed at expanding capacity and improving efficiency across key freight and passenger corridors.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters on Saturday about the Cabinet’s decisions from its Friday meeting, which include measures to increase capacity and improve efficiency along key freight and passenger routes. These projects, which are expected to be completed between 2030 and 31 and have a total estimated budget of Rs 18,509 crore, will add about 389 km to the Indian Railways network. According to Vaishnaw, the projects are expected to significantly increase operational dependability and mobility.

“These multi-tracking proposals will streamline operations, ease congestion, and improve service reliability across key routes,” Vaishnaw said, adding that the works will also generate direct employment of about 265 lakh human-days during the construction phase.

The three projects cleared by the Cabinet include the Kasara–Manmad 3rd and 4th Line in Maharashtra, the Delhi–Ambala 3rd and 4th Line covering Delhi and Haryana, and the Ballari–Hosapete 3rd and 4th Line in Karnataka. The additional lines are expected to ease congestion on high-density rail corridors while significantly enhancing both freight movement and passenger handling capacity across these key routes.

Vaishnaw said the projects will improve rail connectivity to nearly 3,902 villages with a combined population of around 97 lakh people. He added that the corridors will also enhance access to major tourist destinations such as Bhavli Dam, Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra/Srinagar, and Hampi — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — along with Ballari Fort, Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Tungabhadra Dam, Kenchanagudda and the Vijaya Vittala Temple.

The Ministry of Railways stated that the projects align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of building a “New India” and promoting regional self-reliance through infrastructure-led growth.

The routes are considered crucial for the transportation of commodities such as coal, steel, iron ore, cement, limestone, bauxite, containers, foodgrains, sugar, fertilizers and petroleum products.

The capacity augmentation is projected to enable additional freight movement of approximately 96 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).

Highlighting the environmental impact, the minister said the shift toward rail—an energy-efficient mode of transport—would help reduce logistics costs, cut oil imports by an estimated 22 crore litres, and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 111 crore kilograms. This reduction is said to be equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting around four crore trees.

The projects have been planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on integrated infrastructure development and multi-modal connectivity through coordinated planning among stakeholders.

The initiative will ensure seamless movement of people, goods and services while strengthening India’s logistics backbone and supporting sustainable rail operations.

With completion targeted by the end of the decade, the projects are expected to play a significant role in enhancing rail-based economic activity across northern, western and southern India.

New Delhi, Feb 14,2026: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the construction of a four-lane access-controlled greenfield corridor from Gohpur on NH-15 to Numaligarh on NH-715 in Assam, including a 15.79-km road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra river, at a total capital cost of Rs18,662 crore.

Announcing the decision taken at Friday’s Cabinet meeting, union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project will be executed on the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode and completed as a strategic infrastructure initiative for the Northeast.

“This project will significantly enhance connectivity in Assam and across the North-Eastern region. It will improve freight efficiency, reduce logistics costs and drive socio-economic growth,” Vaishnaw told reporters on Saturday.

The 33.7-km project includes a twin-tube tunnel to be built using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology beneath the Brahmaputra river, with one tube designed to accommodate railway infrastructure in addition to a two-lane roadway in each direction. Officials described it as India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel and only the second such integrated tunnel in the world.

At present, connectivity between Numaligarh and Gohpur requires a 240-km journey via the Kaliabhomora bridge near Silghat on NH-52, passing through areas including Kaziranga and Biswanath Town, taking nearly six hours. The new alignment is expected to drastically reduce travel time and congestion.

The tunnel will include 15.79 km of underwater stretch, 1.26 km of road cut-and-cover section, and 4 km of rail cut-and-cover segment.

The corridor will integrate with two major national highways — NH-15 and NH-715 — and connect with two key railway lines: the Rangia–Murkongselek section under the Rangia Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on the Gohpur side, and the Furkating–Mariani loop line under the Tinsukia Division of NFR on the Numaligarh side.

The project will link 11 economic nodes, three social nodes and two tourist destinations, including the Kaziranga National Park and the Deopahar Archaeological Site. It will also enhance connectivity to major cities and towns such as Numaligarh, Tezpur, Gohpur, Dibrugarh and Itanagar.

In addition, the alignment will provide access to two airports- Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar and Tezpur Airport- four railway stations, and two inland waterway terminals at Biswanath Ghat and Tezpur.

According to the Minister, the project would play a pivotal role in strengthening connectivity between major economic centres in Assam and neighbouring state,s including Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, while opening new avenues for trade and industrial development.

The enhanced infrastructure is expected to facilitate smoother movement of key commodities and passengers across the region. Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) in FY25 is estimated at 4,680 Passenger Car Units.

The project would generate approximately 80 lakh person-days of direct and indirect employment during its execution.

With a total civil cost of Rs 11,982 crore and land acquisition cost of Rs 716 crore, the ambitious tunnel project is expected to transform connectivity across the Brahmaputra and reinforce the Centre’s focus on infrastructure-led growth in the Northeast.

Dhaka, Feb 13,2026:In Bangladesh’s first election since the fall of the Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, secured a landslide victory, winning approximately 210 seats out of 299 contested seats, according to the latest count.

However, its principal rival, an 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process. In a statement released after the results were announced, Jamaat-e-Islami said it was “not satisfied with the process surrounding the election results.”

The Islamist party claimed that candidates from its 11-party electoral alliance had lost “narrowly and suspiciously” in several constituencies. It also criticised the Election Commission’s “reluctance” to publish voter turnout figures and alleged that elements within the interim administration had shown favouritism toward a major political party.

“All of this undoubtedly raises serious questions about the integrity of the results process,” the statement said.

According to officials in Dhaka, nearly 61 per cent of the registered voters took part in the elections, and more than 65 per cent voted in the referendum.

BNP Chairman Tarique RahmanTarique, son of former President Gen. Ziaur Rahman, won Dhaka-17 with 72,699 votes, defeating his nearest rival by a margin of 4,399 votes. He was also unofficially elected from Bogra-6, securing 216,284 votes.

The elections, held on Thursday, were Bangladesh’s first national vote since the 2024 student-led uprising that led to the resignation of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to official figures, the BNP secured 210 seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies won 73 seats, and independents claimed 8 seats. A simple majority in the 300-member parliament requires 151 seats.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to what he described as a “decisive victory” in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, reaffirming India’s commitment to supporting a democratic and progressive neighbour.

‎In a message posted on X, Modi conveyed his “warm congratulations” to Rahman, saying, “This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership.”

‎The Prime Minister underscored India’s continued support for Bangladesh’s democratic journey. “India will continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh,” he said, signaling New Delhi’s readiness to work closely with the new leadership in Dhaka.

‎Modi also expressed optimism about the future of bilateral ties. “I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals,” he added.

‎India and Bangladesh share deep historical, cultural, and economic links, with cooperation spanning trade, connectivity, energy, water resources, and security. Over the past decade, ties between the two countries have expanded significantly, particularly in cross-border infrastructure and regional connectivity initiatives.

‎The BNP, one of Bangladesh’s major political parties, has played a significant role in the country’s political landscape since the 1990s. Tarique Rahman, a senior party leader, has now emerged at the helm following the party’s electoral victory, marking a new phase in Bangladesh’s domestic politics.

‎Observers say the outcome of the parliamentary elections could shape the trajectory of India-Bangladesh relations, especially in areas such as trade integration, border management, and regional cooperation under multilateral frameworks.

The elections also included a referendum on the July National Charter, addressing limits on prime ministers’ terms, the creation of an upper house, and the restoration of the caretaker system to ensure free and fair polls.

President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Tarique Rahman, on winning a landslide in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, giving them the mandate to form the next government. He also praised the people of Bangladesh for the smooth conduct of polls across 299 constituencies, with over 127 million registered voters participating.

Feb 8,2026: Voters in Japan are casting their ballots in a parliamentary election expected to deliver a resounding victory for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s conservative coalition.

The snap vote on Sunday comes as Takaichi seeks a new mandate to push through an ambitious agenda, including increased defence spending and tougher immigration measures.
The coalition of Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, could win more than 300 of the 465 seats in the lower house of parliament, according to multiple opinion polls.

The figure would mark a substantial gain from ⁠the 233 it is defending.

The opposition, despite the formation of a new centrist alliance and a rising far-right, is seen as too splintered to be a real challenger.

Takaichi, 64, is Japan’s first female prime minister and took office in October after being selected as the LDP’s leader. The ultraconservative politician has pledged to “work, work, work”, and her style – seen as both playful and tough – has resonated with younger voters.

She has said she will step down if the LDP fails to win a majority.
Rising cost of living

Voters on Sunday will select lawmakers in 289 single-seat constituencies, with the remainder decided by proportional representation votes for parties. Polls close at 8pm local time (11:00 GMT), when broadcasters are expected to issue projections based on exit polls.

The rising cost of living has taken centre stage in the election.

The issue is voters’ main concern, with prices rising while real wage growth lags behind inflation, leaving households worse off. Japan also faces longstanding problems with sluggish economic growth. The economy expanded just 1.1 percent last year and is on track to grow by only 0.7 percent in 2026, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Takaichi has promised to suspend the 8 percent sales tax on food for two years to help households cope with rising prices.

Bengaluru, Feb 7,2026: India on Saturday signaled what the Central government described as a defining moment in its artificial intelligence and semiconductor journey, with the unveiling of a 2-nanometer chip design at Qualcomm highlighting the country’s growing role in advanced chip design alongside a rapid expansion of AI and data centre infrastructure.

Speaking at the Qualcomm event, union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said India is steadily moving beyond its long-standing identity as a software services and back-end chip development hub towards higher-value semiconductor design and AI-driven technologies.

The 2-nanometer wafer unveiled by Qualcomm contains dies with around 20 billion transistors each and integrates CPU and GPU capabilities. The minister said such advanced chips are critical for enabling AI computing at the edge, including applications in cameras, networking equipment, industrial systems and automobiles.

He clarified that while semiconductor manufacturing remains a complex, long-term journey, India’s design capabilities have advanced significantly, with companies now undertaking end-to-end chip design work in the country, from product definition to silicon validation.

Linking semiconductor progress with AI infrastructure, Vaishnaw said India has already seen committed investments of around $70 billion in data centres, rising to nearly $90 billion when recent announcements are included.

He said industry discussions suggest that investments could rise substantially in the coming years as AI adoption accelerates, though he noted that such figures represent projections rather than firm commitments.

He added that the growth of data centres is beginning to create downstream opportunities, including interest in AI server manufacturing and advanced electronics production in India, supported by existing electronics manufacturing incentive schemes.

On AI compute capacity, the minister said India currently has around 10,000 GPUs available under common compute infrastructure and plans to add approximately 50,000 more in the near term as part of the next phase of the AI mission, with further decisions to be guided by inputs from an upcoming AI summit.

The minister attributed India’s progress to the talent pipeline being built under the Semicon India programme. Under Semicon India 1.0, semiconductor education and training has expanded across more than 300 universities and colleges, with students gaining exposure to chip design tools and validation processes through industry and government-supported facilities.

He said the union Budget’s announcement of Semicon India 2.0 will deepen this effort, with a sharper focus on advanced chip design, equipment and materials, system-level skills and the gradual expansion of fabrication and ATMP capabilities. As part of this roadmap, India will work systematically from current 28-nanometer fabrication capabilities towards more advanced nodes such as 7 nanometers over time.

On the impact of AI on the IT sector, the minister said artificial intelligence would permanently change the software industry, creating both disruption and new opportunities.

He emphasised the need for coordinated action by industry, academia and government to upskill and reskill the workforce for AI-based enterprise solutions.

Qualcomm executives said the company operates as a global organisation with intellectual property developed across multiple geographies, but confirmed that its India centres play an important role in advanced semiconductor design, including work on leading-node technologies.

Reiterating India’s approach to global technology engagement, the minister said the country remains committed to co-development, co-creation and respect for intellectual property, and aims to contribute meaningfully to global AI and semiconductor innovation.

February 3, 2026: The India-US trade agreement announced on February 3, 2026, is being viewed as a reset in bilateral economic relations, easing tariff-related uncertainty and improving visibility for exporters, manufacturers, and global investors. However, details on the extent of the commitments from India are still awaited.

The deal, which reduces US tariffs on Indian goods from 50 percent to 18 percent, removes what businesses had described as a lingering “tariff overhang” and is expected to strengthen India’s trade competitiveness at a time of fragile global demand.

Business executives, economists, and market stakeholders say the move restores predictability for cross-border commerce and could unlock delayed investment decisions across manufacturing and supply-chain-linked sectors.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the agreement as a reaffirmation of robust bilateral ties, while US President Donald Trump highlighted commitments from India to increase purchases of American energy, technology, agricultural goods, and manufacturing inputs as part of broader efforts to address trade imbalances and strengthen economic integration.
At the center of the India-US trade agreement is a notable rollback of 2025 US tariffs on Indian exports, a step that analysts say will directly support margin stability for exporters while improving planning certainty for multinational firms operating production bases in India.
India’s Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described the trade deal as a catalyst for “unprecedented opportunities” for farmers, medium-small and micro enterprises (MSMEs), entrepreneurs, and skilled workers, positioning India to export competitive products globally while attracting technology transfers that could turbo-charge domestic manufacturing and innovation.

According to Goyal’s remarks reported by PTI and other major media outlets, the agreement is expected to:

Expand market access for Indian agricultural products and processed goods.
Strengthen the Make in India and Design in India initiatives by expanding global footprints.
Facilitate technology collaboration with US partners in key sectors.
Create jobs and scale exports in manufacturing, services, and technology segments.

Beyond commercial flows, the agreement also carries geopolitical significance. Latest reports note that India has agreed to curb Russian oil purchases as part of the broader negotiations, potentially signaling a gradual shift toward deeper economic alignment with the US.

Details on the exact scale of India’s reduced Russian oil imports and any corresponding increase in US agricultural exports are still awaited, but analysts see the agreement as strengthening India’s strategic positioning within global supply chains.

Potential upside for GDP growth, markets, and manufacturing

From a macroeconomic perspective, the tariff reduction is expected to support India’s GDP growth trajectory while providing a tailwind to equity markets, particularly export-facing and manufacturing-linked stocks.

Market watchers point to possible spillover benefits across electronics, industrial goods, and downstream services, especially as firms reassess sourcing strategies amid ongoing geopolitical fragmentation.

For lenders, improved trade conditions could translate into healthier corporate balance sheets, stronger demand for working capital, and increased appetite for long-term project financing, particularly in sectors aligned with India’s production-linked incentive (PLI) programs and infrastructure expansion drive.

Though detailed lists of tariff schedules and market access commitments are still being clarified by the central government authorities, exporters, including rice, marine products, textiles, and engineering goods firms, have welcomed the relief from punitive tariff regimes and anticipate renewed demand from the US market.

Analysts see the US pact complementing India’s wider trade strategy, which also includes diversification through FTAs with other partners – most recently, New Zealand and the EU. India has also signed an economic partnership agreement with Oman to grant zero-duty access on most goods, boosting exports across engineering, leather, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.

India was among the first countries to open trade discussions with the Trump administration, but negotiations progressed unevenly through 2025 amid speculation over whether a deal would materialize.

For multinational firms with India-based manufacturing or sourcing operations, the deal delivers three immediate advantages:

Reduced tariff risk, improving margin visibility on US-bound exports
Greater policy certainty, supporting medium-term capacity and location planning
Improved investor sentiment, which could lower financing costs and speed up project approvals

India-US trade deal: Sectoral impacts and industry views

While the official deal’s specifics on agricultural tariff liberalization are still emerging, US agricultural officials have highlighted the potential for increased American farm exports to India, which Washington believes will narrow the US agricultural trade deficit and inject fresh demand into rural markets.

Domestic industry bodies in India have also noted potential new openings for products like rice and marine exports, with exporters welcoming tariff relief as a competitive advantage.

Manufacturing and MSMEs

Export-oriented industries such as engineering, electronics, textiles, and leather goods are expected to benefit from reduced tariff pressure, enabling Indian producers to better compete with regional rivals like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Malaysia.

Trade associations such as EEPC India have already hailed the deal as a boost to engineering exports, while MSME groups anticipate stronger integration into cross-border supply chains.
Financial markets and investment sentiment

Financial markets reacted positively to the announcement, with benchmark indices rising and risk sentiment improving as trade uncertainty eased. Macroeconomic analysts see the agreement as potentially supporting GDP growth by lifting export momentum and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into manufacturing and technology sectors.
What’s next and implementation challenges

While the tariff truce is being celebrated, parties on both sides acknowledge that the full implementation schedule, product lists, and timelines remain to be formalized through executive orders, cabinet approvals, and regulatory mechanisms.

Industry experts note the necessity for clarity on tariff phase-downs, rules of origin, and non-tariff measures to fully unlock the deal’s potential. Continued consultations between Indian trade negotiators and US counterparts are expected in the coming months to firm up operational details.
Key questions and business implications of the India-US tariff reset

The introduction of an 18 percent reciprocal tariff provides partial relief, particularly for sectors such as apparel and gems and jewelry, which were among the most affected by higher US duty rates. However, the benefit is relatively limited when viewed in a regional context. Several of India’s neighboring countries and key Asian competitors continue to enjoy preferential market access under the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), typically amounting to duty concessions of around 5 percent. The US withdrew India’s GSP status in 2019 during President Trump’s first term, and Indian exporters had therefore anticipated a lower reciprocal tariff closer to 15 percent to restore competitive parity.

In a social media statement, Trump indicated that Modi had committed to significantly expanding purchases of US-origin goods, including energy, technology, agriculture, coal and other products, with the total value exceeding US$500 billion. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not confirmed whether such a commitment has been formally made. Given the magnitude of the figure, any such procurement would likely be phased over several years rather than executed as a near-term obligation.

Recent developments around Iran-related sanctions reflect regulatory tightening rather than a policy reversal by New Delhi. On February 4, 2025, the US administration issued National Security Presidential Memorandum-2 (NSPM-2), directing the US Secretary of State to modify or rescind sanctions waivers that could provide Iran with economic or financial relief, including those linked to the Chabahar port project. Subsequently, on September 16, 2025, the US State Department revoked the 2018 waiver, effective September 29, 2025.

India has invested nearly US$120 million in equipment for Chabahar, a project that has played a critical role in enabling humanitarian and emergency assistance to Afghanistan. Following representations by New Delhi, the US Department of the Treasury issued a letter on October 28, 2025, confirming that Chabahar-related activities will not be subject to US sanctions until April 26, 2026.

The Government of India remains actively engaged with the US State Department and Treasury to operationalize this arrangement. Taken together, these developments point to a more constrained and negotiated operating environment for India’s regional connectivity strategy, rather than any capitulation to US sanctions pressure.

Export-oriented sectors such as engineering goods, electronics, textiles, leather, agriculture, and marine products are likely to see the most immediate gains. Reduced tariffs improve price competitiveness in the US market, particularly against Asian peers like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Malaysia.

For global firms sourcing or manufacturing in India, the agreement reduces tariff risk on US-bound exports, improves margin visibility, and strengthens the case for expanding India-based production and supply chains.

While the tariff reduction restores near-term predictability, detailed tariff schedules, product coverage, and timelines are still awaited. Full policy certainty will depend on the finalization of operational and regulatory details.
7. How could the agreement affect India’s GDP growth and employment?

By supporting exports, manufacturing output, and investment sentiment, the deal is expected to provide a positive impulse to GDP growth and job creation, particularly in manufacturing, logistics, and export-linked services.

The US deal complements India’s wider diversification strategy, which includes recent trade agreements with New Zealand, the EU, and Oman, aimed at expanding export markets and reducing dependence on any single geography.

New Delhi, Feb 1,2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the union Budget for 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha on Sunday, emphasising India’s sustained economic growth and resilience amid global uncertainties.

Highlighting a strong macroeconomic stability with a growth rate of around 7 pc, she said, “The Modi government has decisively chosen action over ambivalence, delivering reforms that have improved lives and reduced poverty.”

The Budget focuses on balancing ambition with inclusion, aiming to transform aspiration into achievement. Sitharaman noted, “This is a Yuva Shakti-driven Budget inspired by three duties: to accelerate economic growth, build resilience to global volatility, and ensure inclusive development.”

Key reforms announced include significant steps to build domestic manufacturing capacity, enhance energy security, and cut critical import dependency. The government proposes to boost manufacturing in sectors such as biopharma, semiconductors, textiles, and infrastructure, with dedicated funds like Rs 100 billion for Biopharma Shakti and an expanded Rs 400 billion outlay for electronics manufacturing.

A major thrust is on supporting MSMEs through a three-pronged approach, including a proposed Rs 100 billion SME growth fund and measures to improve liquidity and compliance via TReDS and GeM integration. Infrastructure development will be scaled up with a capital expenditure target of Rs 12.2 trillion and initiatives like 20 new waterways and coastal shipping schemes aimed at boosting trade and connectivity.

On the financial front, the Budget aims to strengthen the banking sector with a new high-level committee for banking reforms and restructuring of key public NBFCs. Tax reforms include the rollout of the new Income Tax Act from April 1, reduced TCS rates for education and medical expenses, and rationalization of prosecution under the Income Tax Act. Notably, tax holidays are extended till 2047 for cloud services from Indian data centers, and safe harbor provisions are enhanced for IT services.

Sitharaman stressed the importance of integrating India with global markets, stating, “India must continue to take confident steps to ensure long-term economic stability while fostering innovation through cutting-edge technology and AI as force multipliers.”

The fiscal deficit for FY27 is pegged at 4.3 per cent of GDP with a debt-to-GDP ratio expected to decline to 55.6 per cent, underscoring the government’s commitment to fiscal prudence. Tax devolution to states continues at 41 per cent, with Rs 1.4 trillion allocated as grants.

The Budget also prioritizes social sectors and employment generation, proposing schemes for medical tourism hubs, upgrading allied health skills, promoting sports goods manufacturing, and supporting vulnerable populations, including women entrepreneurs and the differently-abled.

Finance Minister Sitharaman reaffirmed the government’s reform momentum: “Over 350 reforms have been rolled out since August 15, and the reform express is well on its way to boosting growth, employment, and production across the country.”