FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 BRIEFLY ‘99 pc chance of India-Pak match’ Lahore: A crucial meeting between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and the International Cricket Council (ICC) deputy chairman Imran Khawaja was on in Lahore on the issue of Pakistan’s previously announced boycott of its T20 World Cup match against India scheduled for 15 February. News agencies quoted sources in the PCB as saying that there is a “99 per cent chance” the India-Pakistan match will take place as scheduled, although there has been no official word on the matter till the time of going to press. The PCB is said to have softened its stance on the boycott, after it was informed of the severity of the potential financial and other damage should it go ahead with the boycott decision. • Details on Page 12 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW New Delhi, 8 February India is finding itself in a tricky situation over oil imports following the Donald Trump administration’s claim that the country will stop importing oil directly or indirectly from Russia. Multiple sources in the government contacted by The Statesman were evasive on the issue, merely stating that things are still hazy. While not denying what US President Donald Trump has publicly stated, New Delhi’s response SILIGURI | Monday, 09 February 2026 PM Modi announces ‘new phase’ in India-Malaysia partnership Cong demands judicial intervention after ‘point blank’ video shared by BJP STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 8 February Kuala Lumpur/New Delhi, 8 February I ndia and Malaysia on Sunday agreed to fast-track their strategic partnership, expand defence and security cooperation, and deepen collaboration in emerging areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and digital payments, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined a “new speed and depth” in bilateral relations during his first foreign visit of 2026. Speaking at a joint Press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Mr Modi said the two countries had agreed to take their partnership forward in an “unprecedented manner”, building on growing cooperation across energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and technology. “Inspired by our achievements, today we have decided to bring unprecedented speed and depth to our partnership,” Mr Modi said, while crediting Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership for giving renewed momentum to bilateral ties. A major outcome of the talks was the decision to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and maritime security, reflecting shared strategic concerns in the Indo-Pacific region. Mr Modi said defence ties would also be expanded to enhance regional peace and stability. “In the field of security, we will strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and maritime security,” he said, adding that defence cooperation would be made “more comprehensive”. The two leaders also agreed to advance partnerships in semiconductors, health and food security, alongside cooperation in AI and digital technologies. Mr Modi highlighted the CEO Forum held on the sidelines of the visit, saying it had opened new avenues for trade and investment. He said India and Malaysia would pursue economic growth anchored in mutual confidence. “We will chart a path of economic transformation based on strategic trust,” he said. Bilateral cooperation has expanded steadily in recent years, with rising investments in the digital economy, biotechnology and IT, while tourism and people-to-people ties have also grown stronger. Emphasising the role of the Indian community in Malaysia, Mr Modi described the nearly three-million-strong diaspora as a “living bridge” connecting the two nations. “This living bridge of three million people is one of our greatest strengths,” he said, noting that welfare-oriented initiatives lend a “humane foundation” to bilateral relations. He cited the Social Security Agreement for Indian workers Will India jettison ties with Russia by halting oil purchases? ASHOK TUTEJA | has been quite ambiguous in the matter so far, raising more questions than the answers that are available. Asked about Mr Trump’s statement, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal last week preferred not to give a straight reply. “Insofar as India’s energy sourcing is concerned, the government has stated publicly on several occasions that ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indians is the supreme priority of the government. Diversifying our energy sourcing in keeping with objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics is at the core of our strategy to ensure this. ’All of India’s actions are taken and will be taken with this in mind,” he said, not ruling out the possibility of India continuing to purchase oil from Russia. Relations between India and the USA, which went through intense strain last year over India’s oil purchases from Russia, have started looking up again after President Trump and PM Modi reached the trade deal on Monday. The two countries have, meanwhile, announced a framework for an interim agreement which will eventually lead to the signing of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). One sticking point between the two countries that delayed the much-anticipated trade deal between the two countries was India’s oil purchases from Russia. President Trump had charged India with funding the Russian war-machine by purchasing oil amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. New Delhi’s contention was that it was buying oil from Russia since Moscow was giving it a heavy discount as also to maintain stability in the global energy market. However, President Trump refused to buy New Delhi’s argument and imposed a 25 per cent punitive tariff on India in addition to the 25 per cent tax he had already slapped on Indian imports. The total tariff on India has now been reduced from 50 per cent to 18 per cent. But the million dollar question is whether India will halt oil supplies from Russia and jettison its time-tested relationship with Moscow. Indian imports of Russian crude have already gone down due to the impact of US-imposed sanctions on Russian companies Rosneft and Luoil. According to available figures, India’s imports of Russian crude in December 2025 were worth $2.7 billion, the lowest monthly figure since February 2025. The supplies in December were nearly 27 per cent lower compared with imports worth $3.7 billion in November. New Delhi has already been doing a tightrope walk in ties with major world powers in the wake of an uncertain global scenario and the tariff wall erected by President Trump. Moscow has been closely monitoring the developments with regard to the much-touted Indo-US trade deal and its implications on its own ties with New Delhi. Russia has already stated publicly that it has not received any communication from India on oil purchases. While playing down President Trump’s claim, Russia said it is well aware that it is not the only supplier of crude to India, which has always purchased its products from other nations also. Former diplomats say India will never officially confirm the halting of petroleum products from Russia, despite the current situation in which it is becoming more and more difficult for New Delhi to continue these purchases. in Malaysia, the introduction of a gratis e-visa for tourists, and the rollout of India’s UPI digital payment system in Malaysia as people-centric measures that would simplify everyday life. “Any partnership succeeds only when its benefits reach the people directly,” Mr Modi said. Mr Modi also highlighted the cultural bonds between the two countries, particularly their shared affection for the Tamil language, which has a strong presence in Malaysia’s education, media and cultural life. He said a new audio-visual agreement would further strengthen ties through cinema and music, especially Tamil films. The two sides will expand university exchanges, start-up collaboration and skill development initiatives for youth. Modi also announced that India would open a new consulate in Malaysia to support growing bilateral engagement. UNITED NEWS OF INDIA A political storm erupted on Sunday after an official Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) social media handle shared a video that Congress said depicts the targeted, “point-blank” killing of minorities, prompting sharp accusations that the post amounts to an open call for genocide and demands for immediate judicial intervention. The video, which circulated widely on social media before being taken down, shows graphic violence and appears to glorify the killing of individuals identified by critics as belonging to minority communities. The Congress described the content as “deeply disturbing” and accused the ruling party of promoting hate and normalising extreme violence. “This is not a stray troll post or an anonymous provocation,” said Congress general secretary K C Venugopal (photo). “This is poison being spread from the very top. Sharing visuals of point-blank murder is a call to genocide ~ something this fascist regime has ideologically nurtured for decades,” he said in a post on handle X. Several opposition leaders also argued that the post cannot be dismissed as a mistake or misjudgment, given that it originated from a verified party handle. “When an official political platform circulates such content, it signals impunity and encouragement. This is not free speech ~ it is incitement.” another opposition spokesperson said. Legal experts also weighed in, noting that Indian law places restrictions on content that promotes enmity or incites violence. India-AI Impact Summit 2026 to be first global AI summit to be hosted in Global South STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 8 February The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is slated to take place in New Delhi from 16–20 February, and will be the first-ever global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South, the government said on Sunday. India is at a pivotal stage in its development journey, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerging as a key enabler. For India, AI functions as a strategic national tool to drive the democratisation of technology, ensuring access, inclusion, and equity at scale. This technological revolution has opened vast opportunities for advancements across every domain of human endeavour. India’s role in global te chnology and governance forums continues to expand, reflecting its growing engagement in shaping international policy discourse on emerging technologies. The Summit will serve as an impact-focused global platform, shaping AI into measurable outcomes across economies, aligning with the national vision of Welfare for All, Happiness of All and global principle of AI for Humanity. It will bring together global leaders, policymakers, innovators, and experts to showcase applications and define AI pathways across governance, innovation, and sustainable development. The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 strengthens India’s role as a key platform for shaping the global AI agenda. Anchored in the Seven Chakras and the Three Sutras of People, Planet, and Progress, the Summit advances a development-oriented framework for artificial intelligence. By linking policy with implementation and innovation with public purpose, the Summit establishes a structured approach to responsible AI deployment . It aligns technological advancement with inclusive growth and sustainable development. The Summit positions India as a convenor and partner in global AI cooperation, supporting shared standards, collaborative frameworks, and scalable solutions for public good. It marks a transition from dialogue to delivery, reinforcing India’s commitment to responsible, inclusive, and developmentfocused AI pathways. The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is guided by three foundational pillars, referred to as Sutras, which articulate the core principles guiding global cooperation on AI. Pe ople : Promo ting human- centric AI that safeguards rights, enhances access to services, builds trust, and ensures equitable benefits across societies. Celebrating history on wheels, 59th Edition of The Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally held in Delhi NIKHIL VYAS/RAMESH BHAN New Delhi, 8 February The air was thick with the rich aroma of aged metal and the rhythmic thrum of historic engines as the 59th Edition of The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally rolled through the heart of the city on Sunday morning . “The Maharanis of Yesteryears” were flagged off by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena from The Statesman House at Barakhamba Road in Delhi at a glittering ceremony in presence of The Statesman Ltd Chairman R P Gupta, Editor and Managing Director Ravindra Kumar, and Director Vineet Gupta. Before flagging off the car rally, the dignitaries, accompanied by Mr R P Gupta, had a look at the classic beauties and posed for photographs with their Delhi Lieutenant Governor by The Statesman. Delhi. how enthusiastically they are team for organising such a proud owners. noted this is the 59th edition “I believe that more such The people here are very participating. I want to congratulate beautiful event,” he said. Talking to mediapersons, the of the vintage car rally organised programmes should be held in passionate, and you can see The Statesman and its entire PAGE-13