FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI Goyal holds talks with Israeli delegation on FTA Page 10 Thursday, 26 February 2026 SPORTS WORLD BUSINESS | Sri Lanka arrests former intelligence chief over 2019 Easter Sunday bombings NATION BJP chief calls Rahul Gandhi ‘puppet of foreign powers’ Page 5 Page 9 Battle of The Unbeatens: WI face SA in crucial Super 8 clash Page 12 PM begins Israel visit to boost strategic ties We have firm support for Gaza Peace initiative, Prime Minister Modi tells Knesset NIKHIL VYAS New Delhi, 25 February West Indies v South Africa India v Zimbabwe BRIEFLY ECI, SECs to strengthen coordination: New Delhi: The Election Commission of India and State Election Commissions have resolved to work together more closely to strengthen electoral processes and uphold national and constitutional interests, following the National Round Table Conference held at Bharat Mandapam in the national Capital. The conference, organised by the Election Commission of India, concluded on Tuesday and saw participation from SECs of 30 states. P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held wide-ranging talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at boosting bilateral ties besides regional issues, shortly after he arrived in the Jewish nation for a two-day State visit. In a post on X after a brief one-on-one meeting, PM Modi said, "Had an excellent meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Expressed gratitude to him for the warm welcome earlier in the day. It is a delight to be back in Israel after 9 years. We discussed a wide range of subjects aimed at boosting bilateral ties. Sectors such as technology, water management, agriculture, talent partnership and more offer immense scope for close collaboration. We also discussed key developments in the region." It is understood the two leaders also discussed other critical issues like defence, security and counter-terrorism. "Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by my friend, PM Netanyahu. May the India-Israel friendship continue to soar higher!'', PM Modi said in another post on X. The meeting between the two Prime Ministers was held at the Ben-Gurion International Airport shortly after PM Modi's arrival in the country. In a special gesture, on arrival at the airport in Tel Aviv, PM Modi was received by Netanyahu and his spouse Sara Netanyahu and accorded a ceremonial welcome. "You are a great leader," said Netanyahu after the two leaders exchanged a warm hug at the tarmac. A small yet striking detail drew attention as the leaders interacted with each other. PM Netanyahu pointed to the matching colour of the pocket square of Prime Minister Modi and the outfit of Sara Netanyahu. "That's saffron," PM Modi said with a smile. PM Modi was wearing a traditional Indian attire consisting of a cream-coloured kurta with white churidar. He layered a neatly tailored grey, patterned half-jacket along with the saffron pocket square. Sara Netanyahu chose a saffron pantsuit. During their interaction with PM Modi, speaking about India, Sara Netanyahu said, "wonderful country." PM Netanyahu joined in and said, "He (PM Modi) is a wonderful leader". The warm bond between the two leaders was evident at the welcome for PM Modi at the airport. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asserted that countering terrorism requires sustained and coordinated global action, because terror anywhere threatens peace everywhere. Addressing the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, PM Modi said "Nothing can justify terrorism." Noting that India has consistently supported efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability and dialogue in West Asia, the Prime Minister said, "The Gaza Peace Initiative, which was endorsed by the UN Security Council, offers a pathway. India has expressed its firm support for the initiative." "We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue. Let all our efforts be guided by wisdom, courage, and humanity. The road to peace is not always easy, but India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region," he said. "I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost, and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7. We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly, with full conviction in this moment and beyond!," PM Modi said. "No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism. India has also endured the pain of terrorism for a long time. We remember the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the innocent lives lost, including Israeli citizens. Like you, we have a consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism with no double standards," he said. "Terrorism aims to destabilise societies, to block development and to erode trust. Countering terrorism requires sustained and coordinated global action because terror anywhere threatens peace everywhere. That's why India supports all efforts that contribute to durable peace and regional stability," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi was conferred with the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal” by Israel’s Parliament on Wednesday, becoming the first Indian prime minister to receive the legislature’s highest honour. Earlier, Members of the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, gave a standing ovation and a huge round of applause to Modi as he arrived at the venue to give a landmark address - the first-ever by an Indian PM. In his address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called PM Modi "a great leader" on the world stage. SC takes suo motu cognisance of NCERT Trump reiterates claims of ending eight wars book referring to ‘corruption in judiciary’ UNITED NEWS OF INDIA FURTHER REFERENCING THE MAY 2025 STANDOFF, HE SAID THAT THE WAR BETWEEN NEW DELHI AND ISLAMABAD COULD HAVE TURNED NUCLEAR AND THAT HE SAVED THE PAKISTANI PM'S LIFE BY ALLEGEDLY PREVENTING ESCALATION. Washington, 25 February PARMOD KUMAR THE ISSUE WAS RAISED BEFORE THE BENCH BY SENIOR ADVOCATE KAPIL SIBAL IN THE COURSE OF MENTIONING AT THE START OF THE DAY, WHO EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE BEING TAUGHT ABOUT ALLEGED CORRUPTION IN THE JUDICIARY. New Delhi, 25 February The Supreme C ourt on Wednesday took strong exception to portions of a new Class 8 Social Science textb ook issued by the National C ouncil of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which reportedly carries a chapter referring to “corruption in the judiciary”. Taking suo motu cognisance of the contents, Chief Justice Surya Kant heading a bench also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, “As head of the institution. I have done my duty and I have taken cognizance. This seems to be a calculated move. I won't say much.” The issue was raised before the Bench by senior advocate Kapil Sibal in the course of mentioning at the start of the day, who expressed concern that school students were being taught about alleged corruption in the judiciary. The Chief Justice indicated that the Court would examine the matter on its own and would not permit any attempt to defame the institution. He said that both Bar, bench including High Court judges are concerned over it. Justice Joymalya Bagchi also expressed serious concern, observing that it was an attack on the basic structure of the Constitution. “The book seems to go against the basic structure itself,” he said. According to a media report brought before the Court, the chapter discusses “corruption at various levels of the judiciary” as part of a lesson on the role of the judiciary in society. It also refers to challenges such as backlogs of cases and infrastructure issues. Terming the attack as “selective”, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi pointed to other public institutions which are known for corruption, but corruption in the judiciary has been highlighted. Delivering his first State of the Union address of his second term, President Donald Trump pushed forth a message of economic strength and global leadership in his speech, blending nationalist campaign rhetoric with presidential chest thumping, in a bid to rally voters ahead of the November mid-term elections in the country. In a speech lasting nearly two hours - one of the longest of its kind in recent decades - Trump largely focused on domestic themes, framing his first year back in office as a dramatic turnaround from what he described as decline under his predecessor. "I inherited a nation in crisis," he said on Tuesday night, citing what he called a stagnant economy, high inflation, rising crime and "war and chaos all over the world". But, he added, "after just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before and a turnaround for the ages." Portraying the US as a kind of resurgent power, coming back from a time of weakness, Trump touting a "golden age" of the US, told lawmakers that the southern border was now secure, inflation had fallen sharply and the economy was "roaring like never before". He further claimed that incomes were rising and that the US was once again feared by its adversaries, while commanding respect on the global stage. "Our enemies are scared. Our military and police are stacked. And America is respected again, perhaps like never before," he said. Post the one-hour mark of his speech, Trump turned his attention to issues beyond American borders, and made sweeping claims about his role as a global peacemaker. In a rapid-fire list, he once again reiterated his claims having stopped or otherwise de-escalated eight major international conflicts, including between Thailand - Cambodia, the Israel-Hamas war, and the India-Pakistan conflict. Further referencing the May 2025 standoff, he said that the war between New Delhi and Islamabad could have turned nuclear and that he saved the Pakistani PM's life by allegedly preventing escalation. "Pakistan and India would have been [in] a nuclear war – 35 million people... the prime minister of Pakistan, would have died if it were not for my involvement," Trump claimed. He also lauded the US military's actions in Venezuela, terming them "one of the most complex, spectacular feats of military competence and power in world history". India must win big in Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe today TRIDIB BAPARNASH New Delhi, 25 February Defending champions India national cricket team find themselves in unfamiliar territory ahead of their second Super 8 fixture of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 under pressure, nursing a bruised net run rate, and searching for answers at the top of the order. India’s campaign, once built on explosive starts, has stalled due to fragility in the opening and No. 3 positions. Before the tournament, the pairing of Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma had powered India through bilateral series at home. But that rhythm has faded. Abhishek, in particular, has struggled since returning from a stomach infection. On slower surfaces, and against off-spinners angling the ball away from his hitting arc, the left-hander has looked restrained. His numbers – 15 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 75 – underline the slump. Opposition teams have exploited India’s left-heavy top order by deploying off-spin early. Conditions in Chennai could offer some respite. The Chepauk surface — the same used in the Afghanistan–New Zealand fixture earlier in the tournament — appeared truer than others seen so far, with New Zealand comfortably chasing a target of over 180. That could suit India’s stroke-makers. Zimbabwe’s spin trio of Graeme Cremer, Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl is unlikely to pose the same sustained threat India faced against stronger opposition. However, their pace attack comprising Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava and Brad Evans has the height and hit-the-deck ability to test any brittle top order. Despite the heavy defeat to South Africa, India’s bowling unit remains largely intact. Jasprit Bumrah continues to operate at peak efficiency, supported well by Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya. The likely return of vice-captain Axar Patel should further strengthen the attack and restore balance, giving India greater depth with both bat and ball. India need more than just wins to stay alive for semis: India’s thumping 76-run defeat to South Africa has turned their ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign into a tightrope walk. The loss in their opening Super 8 fixture has left the Suryakumar Yadav-led side bottom of YET, ELIMINATION IS NOT IMMINENT. INDIA STILL CONTROL PART OF THEIR DESTINY BUT THE MARGIN FOR ERROR HAS VANISHED. IF INDIA BEATS BOTH ZIMBABWE AND WEST INDIES, THEN THEY WOULD FINISH ON FOUR POINTS WHILE WEST INDIES WOULD REMAIN ON TWO, MAKING NRR IRRELEVANT. Group 1 with zero points and a damaging net run rate (NRR) of -3.800. Yet, elimination is not imminent. India still control part of their destiny but the margin for error has vanished. At present, West Indies sit atop the group with an imposing NRR of +5.350 after a 107-run demolition of Zimbabwe. South Africa are second with +3.800. India and Zimbabwe trail behind. The equations: The simplest path for India is clear — win their remaining two matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies, and hope South Africa defeat the West Indies (earlier on Thursday). If that happens, South Africa would move to four points (and potentially six if they beat Zimbabwe), leaving India and West Indies to fight for the second qualification spot. Should India beat both Zimbabwe and West Indies in that scenario, they would finish on four points while West Indies would remain on two, making NRR irrelevant. The complication arises if West Indies defeat South Africa. In that case, the group could tighten dramatically. If India win both their remaining matches, and South Africa defeat Zimbabwe, all three — India, South Africa and West Indies — could finish on four points. Qualification would then hinge on net run rate, where India are currently at a severe disadvantage. How do India repair the NRR deficit? Because India lost to South Africa by 76 runs, they would ideally need a victory of similar scale to swing their numbers back into positive territory. If Zimbabwe bat first and post 150, India would need to chase the target down in roughly 11 overs to neutralise the negative NRR. A higher total, say 180, would demand an even faster pursuit, around 11.4 overs, to produce the kind of correction required. That sort of acceleration is rare but not impossible. West Indies provided a template when they blasted 150 in 13 overs against Zimbabwe earlier in the Super 8 stage. However, India’s batting so far has struggled to maintain sustained momentum beyond the powerplay, with the exception of the Namibia fixture earlier in the tournament. For India, therefore, the equation is straightforward but unforgiving two wins are non-negotiable. Beyond that, the size and speed of those victories could determine whether the defending champions advance or bow out early. The semi-final door remains open but only just.