Nation

New Delhi: The beginning of 2026 marks a renewed focus on the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), as the United States seeks to strengthen India’s role in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s growing influence. Experts see this as part of Washington’s strategy to maintain a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific. The U.S. Push for a Stronger QUAD During the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Summit, India’s engagement with Russia and China reportedly made the U.S. uneasy, revealing a temporary weakening of the QUAD partnership, which includes Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S. In response, the U.S. is actively engaging India again, as evidenced by recent visits of U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gorr and Indo-Pacific Command Commander Samuel J. Paparo to India’s Western Command headquarters ...

New Delhi: Spanish President Pedro Sánchez arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday to participate in the ongoing India AI-Impact Summit, which began on 16 February. He was warmly received at the airport by Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary. The visit is expected to further strengthen India-Spain collaboration in culture, tourism, and AI, as part of the dual-year celebrations between the two nations. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed Sánchez’s arrival on social media and highlighted the significance of the trip in boosting bilateral ties. The World’s Largest AI Forum The India AI-Impact Summit has emerged as the world’s largest AI forum, bringing together country leaders, CEOs of technology companies, academic experts, and civil society ...

Amid growing tensions with Iran, the United States has increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying more than 50 fighter jets, including F-22s and F-35s. This move comes while nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran are ongoing, raising questions about a potential escalation. 2. Supreme Court Urges Political Leaders to Promote Brotherhood The Supreme Court of India emphasized that political leaders must promote brotherhood and constitutional values. A bench led by CJI D.Y. Suryakant refused to entertain a public interest petition seeking guidelines for political speeches, asking the petitioners to file a fresh, impartial plea. The court stressed that restraint and fairness are essential in political discourse. 3. NEET Student Case: Brother’s Phone Seized, Family Q...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday emphasized that it is the responsibility of political leaders to promote brotherhood and uphold constitutional values in the country. The observation came while hearing a public interest petition seeking guidelines for political speeches. Bench Refuses to Entertain Current Petition A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Suryakant declined to hear the petition, asking the petitioners to file a fresh, impartial plea. The petition, filed by senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, was prompted by allegations of hate speech by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The court noted that the petition appeared to target specific individuals, making it unacceptable in its current form. Call for Impartiality CJI Suryakant stated, “A petiti...

New Delhi: Weather patterns across India are showing significant changes today. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rain alert for Delhi-NCR, while snowfall is expected in the hill states. Here’s a state-wise forecast for 18 February 2026. Delhi-NCR Delhi may experience light to moderate rainfall today. The city’s daytime temperature recently reached a high of 30.9°C, but on Wednesday, the IMD forecasts a maximum of 27°C and a minimum of 14°C. Along with rain, strong winds blowing at 30-40 km/h are expected in the afternoon. Uttar Pradesh The state will see major weather changes due to an active western disturbance. Western and northwestern districts may experience light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail in some areas. Eastern and centra...

New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron, currently on a visit to India, recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and shared a photo of the two leaders on his social media, captioning it “Jai Ho.” During his visit, President Macron addressed the India-France Innovation Forum in Mumbai, underscoring the strength of the India-France strategic partnership. He described France as a committed and enduring partner, standing firmly alongside India. Innovation and Cooperation President Macron highlighted India’s growing reputation as a global hub for innovation, saying, “The debate worldwide is no longer whether India innovates, but who wants to innovate with India. France is the clear answer. We are here, and we want to be with you. Long live the India-France relationship.” He ann...

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has once again stirred controversy with his statements, this time taking aim at the party leadership. Aiyar criticized the current Congress leadership for being unable to handle dissent, calling it “destructive” for the main opposition party. He said that a party incapable of tolerating differing voices has no right to govern. Revisiting Rajiv Gandhi’s 1989 Statement Aiyar invoked a statement made by Rajiv Gandhi in 1989, urging Congress leadership to have Rahul Gandhi reiterate it: that only a secular India can endure, and if India ceases to be secular, it does not deserve to survive. Aiyar’s Consistent Critique The veteran leader has recently been making headlines for his candid remarks. Last Sunday, he praised Kerala Chief...

New Delhi: On Tuesday, Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), took oath as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh, marking a new chapter in the country’s political landscape. Representing India at the swearing-in ceremony were Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Following the ceremony, Speaker Birla met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to convey Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulations and handed him an invitation to visit India. Prime Minister Modi was invited to the ceremony but could not attend due to talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai. Courteous Meeting with Opposition Leader During his visit, Vikram Misri held a courtesy meeting with Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the leader of the opposition and Amir of Banglade...

Mumbai: French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday morning for a three-day visit to India. During his trip, several agreements were signed between India and France, reflecting deepening ties in technology, defense, and trade. President Macron is also scheduled to participate in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation At a press conference in Mumbai, Indian Ambassador to France Sanjeev Kumar Singla highlighted the key agreements. “We have decided to establish a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group focused on critical and emerging technologies. In addition, both countries issued a joint declaration of intent to cooperate in critical minerals. There is also a Letter of Intent between India’s Department of Science & Technology ...

New Delhi: The state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, recently hosted the AI Impact Summit 2026, bringing together people from across the globe. What was once considered barren land is now a venue that can accommodate more attendees than the Sydney Opera House. Spanning 123 acres in central New Delhi, this site first gained international attention in 1959 when it hosted an international agricultural fair attended by U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, amid the Cold War era. A Forum for Public Discourse Previously, the site also housed the Hall of Nations, which was controversially demolished overnight in April 2017, despite protests and court cases. The term “Mandapam” refers to a traditional pillared pavilion used in templ...