1 India handed over the first high-speed ferry to Maldives under the third phase of HICDP
India has gifted the Maldives its first high-speed ferry , which will launch new transportation services between major atolls. The ferry, built with Indian assistance, marks the launch of the Rajje Transport Link (RTL) service between Faafu and Dhaalu Atolls . This initiative is part of India’s continued support under the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) Phase III agreement . India handed over the first of 12 proposed high-speed ferries to the Maldives under the HICDP Phase III agreement signed in January 2025. This ferry will connect Faafu and Dhaalu Atolls under the RTL system. G. Balasubramanian, High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, reiterated India’s commitment to support essential public services. The project aims to enhance connectivity between remote islands, strengthen local mobility, and stimulate economic activity.
2 India AI Impact Summit concludes; 88 countries and international organizations sign the New Delhi Declaration
The AI Impact Summit 2026 was held in New Delhi from February 18-19 . The summit concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact , a significant milestone in global cooperation on artificial intelligence. The declaration, endorsed by 88 countries and international organizations , reflects a broad global consensus on leveraging AI for economic development and social well-being. Guided by the principle of “ Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya ” (welfare of all, happiness of all), the declaration emphasizes that the benefits of AI should be shared equitably with all humanity. It emphasizes:
- Strengthening international cooperation and engagement with multilateral stakeholders
- Respecting national sovereignty
- Advancing AI through accessible and reliable frameworks
It also expresses a commitment to continued collaboration to support the three pillars of the India AI Impact Summit 2026: People, Planet and Progress .
The Seven Pillars of Action (Chakra)
Declaration is centered around seven key pillars that form the foundation of global AI collaboration:
1. Democratization of AI resources
2. Economic growth and social well-being
3. Safe and trustworthy AI
4. AI for
science 5. Access for social empowerment
6. Human capital development
7. Flexible, efficient and innovative AI systems
3 PM Modi lays the foundation stone of a semiconductor manufacturing unit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone of India Chip Private Limited in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh . This is a joint manufacturing facility of HCL-Foxconn in the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority area in Jewar . This joint venture unit between HCL and Foxconn will be the first such facility in Uttar Pradesh to manufacture display driver chips for mobile phones, laptops, and cars.
4 Vice President releases Tamil and Gujarati versions of the Constitution
Vice President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan released the updated versions of the Constitution of India in Tamil and Gujarati languages as well as the 8th edition of Legal Glossary (English-Hindi) at the Upa-Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi .
5 India and Brazil sign 10 agreements in several sectors including critical minerals, digital technology, health
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at Hyderabad House in New Delhi . The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the discussions focused on strengthening the India – Brazil strategic partnership in various areas, including trade, energy, defense, agriculture, climate change, technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, and Global South cooperation . The two leaders reiterated their vision of an inclusive and multipolar world order . A total of ten agreements were exchanged, including on critical minerals, digital cooperation, sharing of traditional knowledge, health, MSMEs, entrepreneurship, and mass media. The two leaders committed to increasing bilateral trade to over $20 billion in the next five years . India and Brazil have a cordial, close, and multifaceted strategic partnership. The two countries share similar views on various international issues, including UN reform, climate change, and combating terrorism. The two countries have excellent cooperation in multilateral forums such as BRICS, IBSA, G20, G-4, International Solar Alliance, Global Biofuels Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, as well as in major multilateral bodies such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization and UNESCO.
6 5th edition of Goa Maritime Conference-2026 begins in Goa
The fifth edition of the Navy ‘s Goa Maritime Conference 2026 commenced at the Naval War College in Verem, Goa . The theme of the conference is – Indian Ocean Region: Addressing Emerging Maritime Challenges – Progressive Approaches to Mitigate Dynamic Threats . The conference will primarily focus on strengthening collaborative mechanisms and partnerships to address emerging maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. Inaugurating the fifth Goa Maritime Conference , Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi stressed the importance of cooperation in the maritime domain. The Chief of the Naval Staff described the recent gathering of 74 nations for the port and sea phases of the International Fleet Review and Milan Conference in Visakhapatnam as a Maritime Mahakumbh.
7 CRPF Raising Day celebrations in Guwahati
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah attended the 87th Raising Day celebrations of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Guwahati, Assam . Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, CRPF Director General and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. In his address, Shah said that CRPF has given a strong foundation to the internal security of the country with bravery, patience and sacrifice in 86 years. Amit Shah said that CRPF, which started with 2 battalions in 1939, has today become the world’s largest CAPF with 248 battalions and about 3.25 lakh soldiers. The force has played a decisive role in many important operations including thwarting the Parliament attack and the attack on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi.
8 Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda launched indigenously developed Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine at Central Research Institute, Himachal Pradesh
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda, launched the indigenously developed Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine at the Central Research Institute (CRI) in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh . With the formal launch of the Td vaccine, it has now been introduced for supply under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) . In light of this, in 2006 , the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that countries transition from tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine to Td vaccine . This recommendation was reaffirmed in the WHO Tetanus Vaccine Position Paper (2017) and through Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) deliberations in 2002 and 2016. The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recommended replacing TT vaccine with Td vaccine in India’s immunization program for all age groups, including pregnant women. This shift aims to enhance and strengthen protection against tetanus as well as diphtheria, while maintaining the achievements made in maternal and newborn tetanus elimination and routine immunization activities. To support this initiative, CRI has initiated the manufacturing of Td vaccine.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Dr. Reddy’s Foundation (DRF) signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR-NAARM) office in Hyderabad . This strategic collaboration aims to promote agricultural vocational training in rural areas of the country , strengthen farmer extension services, and build capacity in modern agricultural practices. This initiative is being implemented under the overall guidance of Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Strategic coordination and institutional convergence for this partnership is being facilitated by Dr. Anil Kumar, Assistant Director General (Coordination), Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous body in India responsible for coordinating, guiding, and managing agricultural research and education, operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Established on July 16, 1929, the institute is headquartered in New Delhi. Dr. Reddy’s Foundation (DRF) is a family trust established by the Dr. Reddy’s family, working since 1996 to create lasting impact in education, livelihood, healthcare and community development.
10 Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched Access Pass for fishing in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
The Honorable Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) and Minister of Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, launched the Access Passes for Fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on February 20th at the KCC Ground in Veraval, Gujarat . Representatives from 24 fisheries cooperatives from all coastal states and union territories participated in the event . Over 2,000 participants participated in person, and fisheries cooperatives and fisheries organizations (FFPOs) from all states and union territories also joined online from over 500 locations. During the event, the Honorable Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), Shri Singh, presented access passes for fishing in the EEZ to 37 fishermen representing 24 fisheries cooperatives from all coastal states and union territories. He also distributed safety kits to the fishermen, including life jackets, high-beam torches, and GPS devices.
11 GalaxEye partners with NSIL to sell satellite imagery worldwide
In a significant development for India’s rapidly growing New Space ecosystem , space-tech startup GalaxEye Space has entered into a data reseller partnership agreement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) , the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) . Under this agreement, NSIL will resell GalaxEye’s satellite imagery solutions—including its advanced SyncFused OptoSAR technology . This makes GalaxEye the first private Indian satellite operator to enter into such a formal data reseller partnership with NSIL. This marks a major milestone towards the commercialization of India’s space sector.
12 Following the US Supreme Court’s decision, President Donald Trump announced an increase in tariffs on all countries to 15%.
President Donald Trump has increased global tariffs from 10 percent to 15 percent following a major defeat in the US Supreme Court . By a 6-3 majority, the court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize a president to impose broad and all-encompassing tariffs on imports. This decision could pave the way for billions of dollars in refund claims. Hours after the court’s decision, Trump appeared before reporters and announced a new round of tariffs, signaling that his trade agenda would move forward despite the defeat. The president announced a new global tariff of 10 percent in addition to existing tariffs. He stated that key tariffs related to national security and trade would continue without interruption. Disgruntled by the court’s decision, Trump called it extremely disappointing and accused some judges of lacking courage. This new 10 percent tariff, announced under Section 122, is not an additional tariff but rather replaces the earlier tariffs based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which the Supreme Court had struck down.
13 L&T to build India’s largest gigawatt-scale AI factory in collaboration with NVIDIA
Engineering giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has announced a strategic venture with NVIDIA to build a sovereign gigawatt-scale AI factory infrastructure in India . The collaboration focuses on delivering production-grade AI capabilities in India, the AI Impact Summit reported. The initiative supports enterprises, policymakers, and global customers seeking scalable and secure AI computing resources.
14 International Mother Language Day
When the first cry of a new life pierces the vast silence of creation and ripples through the sky, at that very moment, the most tender yet most intense chapter of human civilization begins: the chapter of the mother tongue. That sound is not merely a voice; it is the proclamation of life. It is not merely an utterance, but the first melody of existence. Mother tongue is not a simple grammar; it is an embodiment of emotions sculpted by the gentle fingers of love; it is the rhythm of a lullaby sung in a mother’s lap; it is the fragrance of the soil, deeply embedded in the values, struggles, and dreams of generations. Every year on February 21st, the world commemorates International Mother Language Day, reaffirming its commitment to respect, preserve, and promote mother tongues. This day is not just a date, but a global declaration of the preservation of linguistic diversity. A reminder that language is not merely a means of communication, but a culture of civilization. The history of the struggle for the mother tongue is written with the ink of sacrifice. On February 21, 1952, students in what was then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) protested against the declaration of Urdu as the sole official language . On February 21, police opened fire on students at Dhaka University, killing many . They weren’t merely striking bodies; they were attempting to silence the voice of a culture. This incident wasn’t merely a political protest; it was a fight for the honor and survival of our mother tongue, Bengali. UNESCO ‘s global recognition of this day is proof that language is not only a bridge of communication, but also the most powerful weapon of political and social identity.