Days after Tarique Rahman-led BNP’s landslide victory in the 13th Bangladesh National Parliament election, the party’s local office in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj was set on fire. According to local media reports, the incident took place around 3.45 am on Saturday at the Shimulia Bazar area.

Rupganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shabzel Hossain said that miscreants smashed the windows of the BNP office and threw petrol or other inflammable substance before setting it on fire.

Hossain said that the police have identified two suspects, and further investigation is currently underway. The office was constructed just a week ago and a party event was organized there just a week ago.

According to a leading Bangladeshi daily, furniture and other items inside the office were gutted in the fire before it was extinguished by the locals. “We suspect it was a petrol bomb. Otherwise, the fire would not have spread so quickly,” the daily quoted a local as saying.

Reacting to the incident, Upazila BNP General Secretary Bashir Uddin Bacchu accused political opponents of targeting the party office. The BNP will also file a formal complaint over the incident.

PM Modi will not attend Bangladesh PM-elect Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in; know who will

“Necessary legal action will be taken following investigation once a complaint is lodged,” Bacchu said.

The incident comes just days after the BNP secured a landslide victory in the national elections. Bangladesh has been reeling under violence since the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime in 2024.

The elections, first after the Hasina regime’s fall, mark the political transition in the country. The newly elected BNP-led government is scheduled to take the oath on Monday afternoon at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. Tarique Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, will take oath as the Prime Minister.

Prominent Muslim leader Naseemuddin Siddiqui joined the Samajwadi Party (SP) in the presence of party president Akhilesh Yadav here on Sunday.

Akhilesh Yadav accompanied Siddiqui to the SP office here and inducted him into the party. Naseemuddin, a four-time state minister in the Mayawati cabinet and a founding member of the BSP, had resigned from the Congress on January 24 last.

The SP president gave party membership to Siddiqui and other leaders who joined the party.

Yadav welcomed Siddiqui by garlanding him and presented him with a portrait of Ahilyabai along with a memento. Siddiqui’s wife also joined the party on the occasion.

Upon joining the Samajwadi Party, Siddiqui told reporters, “I have a long-standing relationship with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and hold him in great respect. We will follow the path he shows us. There are many senior leaders in the party, and we must work shoulder to shoulder with them to strengthen it. If the party is strong, we will be strong; if we are strong, the state will be strong; and if the state is strong, society will be strong.”

Following Azam Khan’s continued imprisonment, the party lacked a grassroots Muslim leader. According to political analysts, this could benefit the SP.

Others who joined the party included former Pratapgar MLA Rajkumar, former Deoria MLA Dinanath Kushwaha, former UP minister Anees Ahmed alias Phool Babu, and Danish Khan, who was associated with the AIMIM. Among the women leaders were Rachna Pal, Husna Siddiqui, Poonam Pal, and Alka, who took party membership along with several other workers.

Siddiqui, who began his political career with the BSP, served as a cabinet minister in the Mayawati government. He is considered a prominent Muslim political figure in Uttar Pradesh. After Azam Khan’s imprisonment, the Samajwadi Party lacked a Muslim leader of comparable stature, a gap the party hopes to fill with Siddiqui’s induction.

While resigning from the Congress, Naseemuddin Siddiqui said, “I had joined the Congress to fight communalism, but I have not been able to work on the ground for the past eight years and was beginning to feel restive. I hold Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sonia Gandhi in high regard and will continue to respect them, but there was no meaningful work for me in the party. I had joined the Congress party to fight communalism, but that was no longer happening.”

UP Congress president Ajay Rai tried to persuade him to stay, but he refused. Speculation was rife whether he would join another party or pursue independent politics. There was also talk of him joining Chandrashekhar’s Azad Samaj Party, but he put an end to speculation by deciding to join the Samajwadi Party.

The T20 World Cup 2026 group stage delivered another cricketing thriller on Sunday at iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium as the USA pulled off sensational 31-run win over Namibia keeping their Super 8 hopes alive. The hero of the day is none other than Shadley van Schalkwyk, whose timely breakthroughs with the ball tilted the game in America’s favour.

For regular India vs Pakistan LIVE, click here

USA sets a monster total

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the USA came out swinging. Openers Monank Patel and Shayan Jahangir looked like men on a mission putting together a dazzling 68-run partnership. The duo ensured the powerplay ended at 65 without loss giving the USA a rock-solid start.

Namibia finally broke through in the seventh over. Shayan Jahangir fell for 22 off 18 balls, nicking one to the fielders courtesy of debutant Willem Myburgh. But skipper Monank Patel was unstoppable. He raced to 50 in just 27 balls, becoming the first USA batter to score 1000 T20I runs,

The innings had its bumps, though. Namibia fought back with two quick wickets in consecutive overs, dismissing Monank for 52 and Saiteja Mukkamalla for 17. Yet the middle-order duo of Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi stepped up in style rebuilding the innings with an 87-run partnership that completely shifted momentum.

Dealing in sixes, USA’s Sanjay Krishnamurthi races to a half-century against Namibia

It is one of the @marriottbonvoy Milestones of the #T20WorldCup 2026.

: https://t.co/8TCNm3ABpy pic.twitter.com/XQrbqoCXDb

— ICC (@ICC) February 15, 2026

Sanjay was pure fireworks. His 68 not out came off a mere 33 balls featuring four boundaries and six massive sixes, and he carried the USA to a mammoth 199/4 in 20 overs. Milind chipped in with a brisk 28 before falling in the final over.

Brief Score (USA innings): 199/4 in 20 overs (Sanjay Krishnamurthi 68*, Monank Patel 52, Milind Kumar 28; Willem Myburgh 2-22, Gerhard Erasmus 2-27).

Namibia’s strong start

Chasing a daunting 200, Namibia looked determined. Openers Jan Frylink and Louren Steenkamp got off to a flying start, racing at a run rate of over 10 per over. By the end of the powerplay, Namibia were 57/1.

But the USA had other plans. In the fifth over, Van Schalkwyk struck first, removing Frylink for 19 off 15 balls with a neat caught-and-bowled. The big-hitting Louren, however, kept the Namibian hopes alive, forging a 45-run stand with Loftie-Eaton, who made 28 off 17 balls.

Louren brought up a sparkling 50 in just 33 balls, hitting five boundaries and three sixes, making it look like Namibia might pull off a miracle.

Van Schalkwyk turns the tide

As Louren looked to finish things off, Shubham Ranjane pulled a rabbit out of the hat with a clever slower ball in the 13th over, sending Louren back for 58 off 39 balls. Just when Namibia’s captain Gerhard Erasmus tried to steady the ship, Van Schalkwyk struck again in the 15th over, dismissing him for a mere six.

After that, Namibia never recovered. JJ Smit and wicketkeeper Zane Green couldn’t match the escalating required run rate. Zane even retired out in the 18th over.

Van Schalkwyk ended with impressive figures of 2/30, while Ranjane, Sourabh Netravalkar, and Ali Khan chipped in with a wicket each keeping the USA in complete control.

Brief Score (Namibia innings): 168/6 in 20 overs (Louren Steenkamp 58, JJ Smit 31; Van Schalkwyk 2-30, Shubham Ranjane 1-6).

Player of the match: Shadley van Schalkwyk

It’s rare for a bowler to steal the spotlight in high-scoring T20 games. But Van Schalkwyk did just that.

With two crucial wickets at the perfect moments, he broke partnerships but also controlled flow of the game.

His caught-and-bowled to dismiss Frylink and the strategic dismissal of Erasmus turned the tide decisively in the USA’s favour.

Highlights that stole the show

– Monank Patel’s 1000 T20I runs milestone: first USA batter to reach the mark.

– Sanjay Krishnamurthi’s explosive 68* off 33 balls, including six towering sixes.

– Van Schalkwyk’s 2/30 breaking Namibia’s key partnerships and keeping the USA in control.

– Milind Kumar and Sanjay’s 87-run partnership stabilising innings after quick wickets.

The USA now face a waiting game. Their Super 8 dreams hinge on other results.

The highly anticipated India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash scheduled for Sunday has triggered sharp political reactions in India, with opposition leaders questioning the very decision to play Pakistan amid ongoing security concerns and strained bilateral ties.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut launched a scathing attack, alleging that the fixture serves vested interests rather than public sentiment.

“This is not an India-Pakistan match. This is a Jay Shah vs Pakistan match. The people of India do not want it,” Raut said at a press conference in Mumbai. He further claimed that such high-profile matches fuel massive betting networks that ultimately benefit political figures and even flow to Pakistan.

Congress leaders echoed similar concerns, strongly opposing sporting engagement with Pakistan in the current security climate. Punjab Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa asserted that Pakistan should be treated strictly as an adversary, citing alleged proxy warfare along the border.

“Pakistan is the enemy of our country. Those who live on the border know how Pakistan is fighting a proxy war against India,” he said.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi went a step further, calling for a complete halt to sporting ties.

“No match should be played with Pakistan. A game is played with friends. With enemies, Holi is played and that too, a Holi of blood,” Alvi told reporters.

Senior Congress leader T.S. Singh Deo questioned the rationale behind continuing cricketing ties without diplomatic engagement.

“Why should there be a cricket match if we are not having diplomatic talks with the terror state Pakistan?” he asked.

The CPI(M), however, adopted a more conciliatory tone, arguing that sports should remain separate from politics. CPI(M) leader Hannan Mollah said that sporting ties should not be dragged into geopolitical disputes, calling cricket a part of civilisation and people-to-people engagement.

As India and Pakistan prepare to face off in Colombo, the match has once again transcended sport, reigniting debates over diplomacy, security, and nationalism back home.

Mahashivratri is the 44th and final day of the world’s largest religious and spiritual annual Magh Mela, held on the sands of the Sangam in Uttar Pradesh.

A large number of devotees had gathered at the Triveni Sangam on Mahashivratri, the sixth and final bathing festival of the Magh Mela.

A large number of devotees have been taking a holy dip at various ghats of the Triveni Sangam since Brahmamuhurta.

According to Mela officer Rishiraj, more than two million devotees have taken a holy dip since morning, and over eight million more are expected during the day.

The remarkable alignment of planets and stars makes Mahashivratri a multi-fold, fruitful festival. Donating food, clothing, and gold holds special significance on this day.

The fair administration has made special arrangements for Mahashivratri, anticipating approximately 10 million devotees taking a bath today. Strict security arrangements are in place, with senior police and administrative officials on the ground.

Devotees are bathing at the three-and-a-half-kilometre-long ghat constructed for the Magh Mela. While the UP Police, PAC, and RAF have been deployed for security at the fair, ATS commandos are also keeping a close watch on every aspect of the event. The fair is being secured with 400 CCTV cameras, including over 150 AI-enabled cameras.

On the occasion of Mahashivratri, devotees bathe at the Triveni Sangam and perform abhishekam to Lord Shiva at Shiva temples, where special security arrangements have also been made. Notably, more than 220 million devotees have taken a holy dip at the Magh Mela so far, the highest recorded attendance for the festival to date.

With the sixth and final bathing festival on Mahashivratri, the Magh Mela 2026 will officially conclude

India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs in their third group-stage match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, posting their highest-ever winning margin against Pakistan in T20 World Cups. The victory also secures India’s place in the Super 8 stage, extending their dominance over Pakistan in T20 World Cups from 7-1 to 8-1.

After being invited to bat, India posted a competitive 175/7. The innings saw early drama as Abhishek Sharma fell for a duck in the first over, but Ishan Kishan counter-attacked with a blazing 77 off 40 balls to anchor the innings. The middle order struggled to maintain momentum, with Tilak Varma (25 off 24 balls), Hardik Pandya, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav falling in quick succession. Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh provided late fireworks to help India reach a strong total.

Pakistan’s reply never gained momentum. Early strikes from Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah reduced them to 13/3 in the powerplay. Usman Khan tried to keep the chase alive with a six, but wickets kept tumbling as Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Varun Chakaravarthy ran through the lower order. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 114, leaving India triumphant.

#INDvsPAK | India beat Pakistan by 61 runs to lead the head-to-head 8–1, and with this win, India qualified for the Super 8s.
Read More-https://t.co/tUBSq32Tcw#JaspritBumrah #AxarPatel #SuryakumarYadav #HardikPandya #IshanKishan #BabarAzam #T20WorldCup2026 #TheStatesman pic.twitter.com/9RADyTvWK8

— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) February 15, 2026

During the toss ceremony, India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha did not exchange the customary handshake, with the “no-handshake policy” remaining in effect.

The investigation into the ‘white-collar’ terror module linked to the recent Delhi Red Fort bomb blast has revealed that the doctors had been radicalised since 2016 and formed their own terror outfit named “Ansar Interim”.

According to a report, the main motive of the ‘Ansar Interim’ was to carry out terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.

Citing officials involved in the investigation, the report claimed that Dr Umer-un Nabi, the man who blew the explosive-laden Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort on November 10 had joined the terror outfit in 2016.

Ansar Interim – from formation to Red Fort blast

Nabi had met accused Ansar Interim members – Dr Muzamil Gannie, Dr Adeel Rather, his absconding brother Muzzafar Rather, Maulvi Irfan, Qari Aamir, and Tufail Gazi had met at Srinagar Eidgah in April 2022 to form the organisation.

Adeel was chosen as the ‘Ameer’ or chief of the Ansar Interim, with Irfan serving as his deputy. Dr Gannie was the treasurer of the organisation, which, according to the officials, was associated with Al-Qaeda.

During the interrogation, the accused doctors told the investigators that they formed the new outfit because their contacts with already active terrorists had been severed.

Red Fort bomber Umar was the most radicalised member of the outfit and assumed the role of coordinator. He, along with Dr Gannie, also handled the finances and weapons procurement for Ansar Interim.

They began to source fertiliser from Sohna and Nuh in Haryana in 2023. The group bought Potassium Nitrate or NPK from a chemical shop in Faridabad. The NPK was reportedly used in the Red Fort blast.

Umar learned to make Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from YouTube. He managed to prepare Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) — a highly volatile peroxide explosive frequently used in terror attacks worldwide.

Dr Adeel and one Danish helped Umar and Gannie as they prepared TATP that was used in the blast. Initially, Umar had tried to convince Danish to carry out the suicide bombing but the latter backed out at the 11th hour, citing that suicide is considered forbidden in Islam.

As per the report, the investigation has suggested that Umar originally planned to use the Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED). Some religious sites were also on his target.

However, the plan failed after Jammu and Kashmir police arrested Dr Gannie and seized the explosives. This triggered a panic among the accused doctors and Umar improvised the plan, which ended in the Red Fort blast.

How J&K police busted the terror module?

The white-collar terror module was busted after Jammu and Kashmir police registered a case following the appearance of JeM posters in Bunpora, Nowgam on October 19.

During the investigation, the police examined the CCTV footage of the area where JeM posters were found. This led to the arrest of Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid.

During the interrogation they named Maulvi Irfan, who had allegedly supplied posters to them. Irfan had also played a key role in the radicalisation of the doctors. Subsequently, the terror module was busted in Faridabad’s Al-Falah University.

India and Pakistan are set to lock horns in their third group-stage match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, but the blockbuster encounter could be heavily impacted by rain and adverse weather conditions.

The rivalry, often dubbed cricket’s biggest spectacle, carries massive stakes this time. Both teams have won their first two matches and are tied on four points, meaning a win would all but seal a Super 8 berth.

Historically, India have dominated the rivalry in the shortest format, winning 13 of the 16 T20Is between the two sides. In T20 World Cups, India boasts a commanding 7-1 head-to-head record against Pakistan.

Weather Could Play Spoilsport in Colombo

The weather in Colombo is expected to play a decisive role in the contest. According to Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology, the city is likely to experience showers or thundershowers after 2:00 PM local time, with rain chances peaking around match time.

Colombo is expected to record a high of 34°C and a low of 24°C, with humidity levels ranging between 85% and 50%. Forecasts suggest warm and humid conditions with a strong possibility of passing showers and afternoon thunderstorms.

Rain is particularly expected between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM IST, raising concerns over interruptions or a shortened match. With no reserve day scheduled for group-stage matches, a washout would see both teams share one point each.

At the moment, the conditions at the stadium are overcast and windy, with dark clouds hovering over Colombo. However, there is no rain currently, and floodlights are already on at the venue.

High stakes for Super 8 Qualification

The winner of the India vs Pakistan clash will clinch qualification for the Super 8 stage, while the loser will need to win their final group match to guarantee progression.

India enter the contest on the back of wins against the USA and Namibia, while Pakistan defeated the Netherlands and the USA in their opening two fixtures.

Suryakumar Yadav’s India sit atop Group A with a Net Run Rate of +3.050, while Pakistan are second with an NRR of +0.932.

Team news and likely line-up changes

India captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that opener Abhishek Sharma will return to the playing XI after missing the Namibia match due to illness. He also hinted at Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion, making a cheeky remark at the press conference:

“Do you want him to play? Okay then he will play.”

India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup Squads

India:
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (wk), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma.

Pakistan:
Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Babar Azam, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (c), Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Mizra, Khawaja Nafay (wk).

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent the Government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-elected government of Bangladesh led by Mr. Tarique Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, in Dhaka on Tuesday, it was officially announced on Sunday.

‘’The Hon’ble Speaker’s participation at this important event underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh, reaffirming India’s steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind our two nations,’’ the Ministry of External Affairs said.

As neighbours united by a shared history, culture, and mutual respect, India welcomes Bangladesh’s transition to an elected government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, whose vision and values have received an overwhelming mandate from the people, the MEA added. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is likely to accompany the Lok Sabha Speaker to Dhaka, it is learnt.

Bangladesh had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the swearing-in ceremony of the new government. However, the India leader will be occupied with the AI Impact Summit and the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India on that day.

Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched a sharp critique of the Centre’s proposed trade agreement with the United States, alleging that it could compromise the interests of Indian farmers.

In a post on X, Gandhi said, “In the name of a US trade deal, we are witnessing a betrayal of India’s farmers,” while posing pointed questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the possible implications of agricultural imports under the proposed pact.

Referring to the reported import of Distillers Dried Grains (DDG), Gandhi asked, “What does importing DDG actually mean? Does it mean Indian cattle will be fed distillers grain made from genetically modified (GM) American corn? Would this not make our dairy products dependent on the US agricultural industry?”

He also expressed concern over the potential import of genetically modified soybean oil, warning of possible price shocks for domestic producers. “If GM soybean oil imports are allowed, what will happen to soybean farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and across India? How will they cope with another price shock?” he asked.

Raising further questions about the scope of the negotiations, Gandhi sought clarity on the term “additional products,” asking whether it could lead to future pressure to allow imports of pulses and other crops.

He also voiced apprehension about the removal of “non-trade barriers,” questioning whether India might be asked to dilute its policies on GM crops, procurement systems, minimum support price (MSP), and bonuses.

Highlighting long-term concerns, Gandhi said, “Once the door is opened, how will we stop it from being pushed wider each year? Will safeguards be in place, or will more crops be added to negotiations over time?”

He concluded his remarks with the hashtag #FarmersFirst, urging transparency and clear assurances for farmers.

India and the United States are continuing discussions to expand bilateral trade, including in the agricultural sector. While the government maintains that trade agreements are designed to protect national interests, opposition parties have expressed concerns over their potential impact on domestic farmers, particularly in dairy, edible oils, and pulses.

Continuing its streak of operational excellence, the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) has achieved its highest-ever single-day thermal coal unloading milestone, reinforcing its key role in India’s energy logistics network.

On February 14, 2026, the port successfully unloaded a record 47 rakes of thermal coal in a single day. This included 41 BOBRN (Bogie Open Bottom Rapid Discharge) rakes and 6 BOXN (Bogie Open High-Sided) rakes, marking an unprecedented achievement in the port’s operational history.

PPA Chairman P L Haranadh congratulated the workforce, praising “Team PPA” for their dedication and efficiency. He said the milestone reflects not just a numerical accomplishment but the result of sustained efforts, meticulous planning, and strong operational infrastructure at the port.

He further highlighted that improvements in turnaround time and streamlined cargo handling processes have enabled the port to achieve greater efficiency and productivity.

Paradip Port Authority has been consistently enhancing its cargo handling capacity and operational performance. This latest record further strengthens its position as a vital gateway for thermal coal imports, playing a crucial role in supporting India’s power generation sector and overall energy security.

The combined market valuation of six of India’s top 10 most valued companies declined by more than Rs 3 lakh crore last week, reflecting a broader bearish trend in the equity markets.

IT majors Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys emerged as the biggest laggards during the week.

Apart from TCS and Infosys, other firms that witnessed erosion in their market capitalisation included HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries, Life Insurance Corporation of India, and Bharti Airtel. Meanwhile, gainers among the top firms were State Bank of India, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, and ICICI Bank.

TCS saw its market valuation tumble by Rs 90,198.92 crore to Rs 9,74,043.43 crore, while Infosys lost Rs 70,780.23 crore, taking its valuation to Rs 5,55,287.72 crore.

Among the gainers, SBI’s market capitalisation surged by Rs 1,22,213.38 crore to Rs 11,06,566.44 crore, and Bajaj Finance added Rs 26,414.44 crore to reach Rs 6,37,244.64 crore.

ICICI Bank’s valuation rose by Rs 5,719.95 crore to Rs 10,11,978.77 crore, while Larsen & Toubro gained Rs 14,483.9 crore to Rs 5,74,028.93 crore.

On the losing side, HDFC Bank’s valuation declined by Rs 54,627.71 crore to Rs 13,93,621.92 crore. Bharti Airtel lost Rs 19,244.61 crore to Rs 11,43,044.03 crore, while Reliance Industries’ market capitalisation dropped by Rs 41,883 crore to Rs 19,21,475.79 crore.

Reliance Industries remained the country’s most valued firm, followed by HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, SBI, ICICI Bank, TCS, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, Infosys, and LIC.

On Friday, the Indian stock market ended lower by over one per cent in a highly volatile session. The BSE Sensex fell 1,048.16 points, or 1.25 per cent, to close at 82,626.76, while the Nifty 50 declined 336.10 points, or 1.30 per cent, to settle at 25,471.10.

In a strategic move following the finalisation of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, in Munich, Germany, to explore deeper financial cooperation and the ECB’s potential role in facilitating trade flows under the agreement.

The Finance Ministry said on X that both leaders expressed satisfaction over the conclusion of the India-EU FTA, scheduled to take effect from January 2026. During the meeting, Sitharaman underlined the importance of financial sector support in ensuring smooth trade and investment flows as the agreement moves towards implementation.

According to the ministry, both sides welcomed the landmark trade pact, with the Finance Minister highlighting the ECB’s potential contribution in strengthening financial mechanisms to promote bilateral commerce.

In a key announcement, Sitharaman said India would permit European Union banks to open up to 15 branches in the country over the next four years under the FTA framework. The initiative will be facilitated through provisions in the Union Budgets for FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27.

The India-EU FTA, finalised after prolonged negotiations, is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers and encouraging greater investment flows between India and the 27-nation European bloc. Financial cooperation is seen as critical for enabling efficient payment systems, regulatory coordination, and expanded banking access to support growing trade volumes.

The Munich meeting reflects India’s broader push to deepen its strategic and economic partnership with the European Union, with the FTA emerging as a cornerstone of its global trade strategy.

Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav has sharply reacted to a media report stating that Kannauj railway station would be developed on the lines of the Gorakhpur model.

Akhilesh Yadav, who is the Lok Sabha MP from Kannauj, raised several concerns over railway infrastructure projects in Uttar Pradesh in a social media post on Sunday, tagging Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Referring to reported infrastructure lapses, he wrote, “The railway station wall that collapsed in Ayodhya was built on which model — the BJP’s ‘corrupt model’?” He went on to make a series of remarks, calling for durable construction, properly functioning elevators and escalators, reliable waiting areas, better parking facilities, and hygienic toilets at Kannauj railway station. He also stressed the need for accountability and quality standards in railway projects.

According to the media report, Kannauj railway station will be redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme on the lines of Gorakhpur railway station, with world-class passenger amenities. The project aims to improve travel experience and enhance connectivity and tourism in Kannauj, popularly known as the perfume city.

The redevelopment proposal was also mentioned by Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna during the presentation of the state budget on February 11.

Earlier, the government had allocated Rs 13.50 crore for the project. In view of its importance and the addition of modern amenities, the allocation has now been increased by Rs 3.5 crore.

Senior Congress leaders on Sunday extended warm greetings to citizens across the country on the occasion of Mahashivratri, praying for peace, prosperity and collective progress.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took to X to share his message, stating, “Heartfelt greetings to all countrymen on the sacred festival of Mahashivratri. May the blessings of Devadhidev Mahadev always remain upon everyone. May the light of happiness, prosperity, progress, and joy continue to illuminate your lives—this is my sincere wish.”

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also conveyed his wishes through the social media platform. In his post, he said, “Heartfelt greetings to all citizens of the country on the occasion of Mahashivratri. May the blessings of Shiva and Shakti always bring happiness, peace, and prosperity into your lives.”

Mahashivratri is among the most revered festivals in Hindu tradition, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The festival is marked by fasting, night-long prayers, devotional music and special rituals in temples across the country. Devotees offer milk, water and bilva leaves to the Shivling and chant sacred hymns, seeking spiritual upliftment and divine blessings.

It is customary for political leaders across party lines to share greetings on major religious occasions, reflecting India’s pluralistic ethos and shared cultural traditions. The messages from Kharge and Gandhi underscore the Congress party’s emphasis on unity, harmony and inclusive progress during significant national celebrations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam here on Monday.

The India AI Impact Expo 2026 will be held from 16th to 20th February 2026, alongside the India AI Impact Summit, to be attended by top global leaders.

The expo will serve as a national demonstration of AI in action, where policy meets practice, innovation meets scale, and technology meets the everyday citizen.

Spread across ten arenas covering more than 70,000 square metres, the expo will bring together global technology firms, startups, academia and research institutions, Union ministries, state governments, and international partners.

The expo will also feature 13 country pavilions, showcasing international collaboration in the AI ecosystem. These include pavilions from Australia, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan and Africa.

The expo will host over 300 curated exhibition pavilions and live demonstrations, structured across three thematic chakras – People, Planet and Progress. In addition, the expo will feature over 600 high-potential startups, many of them building globally relevant and population-scale solutions. These startups will demonstrate working solutions that are already deployed in real-world settings.

The India AI Impact Expo 2026 is expected to witness participation of over 2.5 lakh visitors, including international delegates. The event aims to foster new partnerships and create business opportunities within the global AI ecosystem.

Over 500 sessions will be organised, featuring more than 3250 visionary speakers and panel members. These sessions will focus on acknowledging the transformative impact of AI across sectors and deliberating on future actions to ensure that AI benefits every global citizen.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva are the global leaders who will attend the summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel later this month as the two countries seek to further deepen bilateral ties in key areas, especially defence, agriculture and counter-terrorism, official sources confirmed on Sunday.

Though the exact dates of the much-anticipated visit are yet to be announced, indications are the Indian leader will travel to the Jewish nation on 27-28 February.

This will be Modi’s third first visit to Israel during his third term in office. It comes nearly nine years after Modi visited the country last. He will hold extensive talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom he enjoys a close personal relationship. The two leaders are expected not only to discuss bilateral cooperation but also regional and global developments, including the security situation in West Asia.

The two leaders had an animated discussion last month during which Netanyahu extended an invitation to the PM to visit his country.

The visit comes at a time when both countries are keen to clinch a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar recently said the two countries are set to fast-track negotiations for an FTA.

India and Israel have steadily upgraded their ties over the past decade, with defence and security cooperation emerging as one of the central pillars of the partnership.

Israel is among India’s key defence technology partners, supplying critical systems ranging from missiles and drones to surveillance and air defence platforms. The two countries have also expanded cooperation in cyber security, space and innovation ecosystems.

The Gaza Peace Plan, the multilateral agreement between Israel and Hamas that aims to address the ongoing Gaza war, will obviously figure during the talks between the two sides.

Netanyahu has already briefed the Indian leadership on the implementation and progress of the Gaza Peace Plan even as Modi reiterated India’s consistent support for a just, durable peace in the region.

The two countries, both victims of terrorism, have solidly backed each other in the global fight against the menace. India was among the first countries to condemn the October 7, 2023, terror attack by Hamas while Israel came in full support of India’s stand against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in April last year.

PM Modi is expected to be accompanied by a high-powered delegation during his visit, including important ministers and business leaders.