FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | India poised to lead AI globally: Sam Altman Page 12 | Friday, 20 February 2026 SPORTS WORLD BUSINESS SILIGURI Trump gathers members of Board of Peace for first meeting NATION PM, Abu Dhabi crown prince make AI core of India-UAE ties Page 5 Page 11 T20 WC: Zimbabwe enter Super 8s undefeated Page 16 India set to lead global AI era, says PM Modi Australia v Oman BRIEFLY King Charles’ brother held for Epstein links: London: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (photo) , the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth and brother to King Charles, has been arrested by UK police on suspicion of misconduct while holding public office, amid ongoing investigations linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Police arrived at Mountbatten-Windsor’s residence at Sandringham, the Norfolk estate of King Charles, early Thursday morning. ECI orders time-bound preparations for SIR: New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated preparatory steps for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 23 states and Union Territories, underscoring its focus on ensuring accurate and updated voter lists ahead of key electoral activities in the coming years. The Commission noted that ensuring updated and error-free electoral rolls is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, particularly with several states set to witness important electoral activities in the coming years. Mamata criticises PM Modi for calling Sri Ramakrishna ‘Swami’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday voiced strong disapproval of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reference to the 19th- century mystic Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa as “Swami” in a message commemorating his birth anniversary. Banerjee described the term as “culturally insensitive” and “improper.” In a statement posted on her WhatsApp channel, Banerjee expressed shock, accusing the Prime Minister of repeatedly showing disregard for Bengal’s revered cultural figures. She pointed out that while honoring the saint—whom followers regard as “Yugavatara,” or a divine incarnation of God for the modern age era, Modi used an “unprecedented and improper prefix” before his name. Banerjee highlighted the traditional nomenclature followed by the Ramakrishna New Delhi, 19 February D eclaring India ready to lead the global artificial intelligence revolution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stated unequivocally that “any AI model that succeeds in India can be deployed anywhere in the world”, positioning the country as a vital proving ground for inclusive, scalable and ethical AI innovation. Speaking at the inauguration of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, Modi laid out an ambitious vision to democratise AI while ensuring it remains secure, transparent and accessible to all. “Some people fear AI, some see the future in it. India sees the future in AI,” Modi said in his keynote address, as the world’s largest and most historic AI summit brought together global leaders, innovators and policymakers from over 100 countries. “India, with its unparalleled diversity and scale, is the ideal testing ground for AI. If it works in India, it can work anywhere.” Highlighting India’s strengths, the Prime Minister emphasised the country’s growing capabilities across the entire AI value chain — from semiconductor manufacturing and chip design to quantum computing. “India is getting stronger in all these areas. Let us make AI in India affordable and secure. AI designed and developed here can set an example for the world: designed and developed in India, delivered to the world, delivered to humanity.” Modi underscored the summit’s theme, Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya (Welfare for All, Happiness for All), as the benchmark for India’s AI ambitions. “AI must be democratised so that humans do not become mere India wants to co-produce Rafale, handle more maintenance which is legitimate, says President Macron STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 19 February French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that India wants to coproduce Rafale jets with his country, describing it as a "legitimate" ambition of New Delhi. "The Indians, who are currently customers, want to co-produce with us; we have seen the Rafale here, but they want to co-produce combat aircraft in India. They want to handle more of the maintenance, which is legitimate," he was quoted as saying by the French media on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit here. The French leader emphasised the long-term necessity of this partnership, predicting that India's requirement for advanced aviation will only grow in the coming decades. "Looking ahead to 2040 and 2050, I am telling you, India will need combat aviation. This is the direction of history," he added. Macron used the Indian example to urge European nations to consolidate their own defence industries and move toward a "European standard" to remain competitive on the global stage. He argued that strategic state decisions must take precedence over corporate interests to ensure Europe does not become irrelevant. "So we Europeans, if we have a sense of history, have an interest in reaching an agreement right now, and therefore in having a common model. So, first we have the strategic decision, and then we have discussions about the companies," Macron said. Warning against fragmentation within Europe, Macron stressed the importance of unity in the face of rising global competition. "There is a need to have a European standard…we must create a standard together; otherwise, we will have nothing," he said. This is taxpayers’ money: SC questions poll-time freebies, flags strain on economy PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 19 February The Supreme Court on Thursday raised serious concerns over the growing practice of state governments announcing freebies and subsidies, particularly in the run-up to elections, cautioning that the financial burden ultimately falls on taxpayers and may hamper long-term economic development. A Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, while hearing a petition by Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) challenging Rule 23 of the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2024, questioned the fiscal prudence behind such largesse amid mounting revenue deficits. “But this money which the State says it will pay now, who will pay for it? This is taxpayers’ money,” Chief Justice Surya Kant observed, underlining that so-called “free” benefits are funded from the public exchequer. Warning of the broader consequences, CJI Kant remarked that “the economic development of the nation will be hampered with this kind of largesse distribution.” He pointed out that several states continue to expand welfare schemes despite running into revenue deficits, raising concerns that development expenditure would inevitably suffer. While acknowledging that the State has a duty to help those who cannot afford basic necessities such as education or a dignified life, the Court questioned whether subsidies were being properly targeted. It noted that benefits often reach those who are not genuinely in need. Referring specifically to free electricity schemes, the Bench flagged indiscriminate subsidies, observing that in some states even large landowners receive free power, enabling them to run lights and machinery without cost. “If you want to have a facility, you pay for it,” the Chief Justice said. The Court also drew attention to the timing of such announcements. “We are not on Tamil Nadu context only. We are on the fact that why are schemes being announced just before elections. All political parties, sociologists need to revisit ideology. How long will this continue?” CJI Kant asked. Justice Bagchi raised concerns about fiscal planning and regulatory integrity, noting instances where governments step in after electricity tariffs have been fixed by statutory regulators. If such benefits are to be extended, he suggested, they must be reflected transparently in budgetary allocations. “If you really want to do all this, put it in the budgetary allocation and then justify how will you do so,” he said, cautioning against unplanned expenditure. The Court issued notice to the Central government and others and sought their replies. data points or raw material for AI,” he said. “It must serve as a tool for inclusion and empowerment, especially for the Global South.” The Prime Minister called for AI to be developed and shared as a global common good. “We believe AI will benefit the world only when it is shared openly. We should resolve to develop AI as a global common good,” he added. At the same time, Modi cautioned against unchecked AI growth. “We must give AI an open sky but keep the reins in human hands,” he said, likening AI’s role to a GPS that suggests routes but leaves the final decision to the user. He expressed concern over the destabilising potential of deepfakes and fabricated content, proposing “authenticity labels” akin to nutrition labels on food packets to help distinguish real from AI-generated material. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 19 February movement, explaining that Sri Ramakrishna has long been venerated as “Thakur,” meaning God, and that the title “Swami” is reserved for his monastic disciples. Following Sri Ramakrishna’s death in 1886, his disciples established the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, where monks are customarily addressed as “Swami.” Banerjee referenced the revered “holy trinity” of the tradition: Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna), Ma (Holy Mother Sarada Devi), and Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda), noting that the master himself continued to be called Thakur. She urged the Prime Minister to refrain from inventing new titles for Bengal’s great Renaissance icons who contributed to shaping modern India. Sri Ramakrishna, a priest at Dakshineswar Kali Temple near Kolkata, is a pivotal figure in the 19th-century Bengal Renaissance. His teachings on religious unity and spiritual enlightenment significantly influenced Swami Vivekananda, who later popularized Vedanta philosophy in the West. The Ramakrishna Math and Mission currently run numerous educational, medical, and charitable institutions across India and internationally. This episode further intensifies political tensions between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal, where cultural identity and heritage remain central themes in public debate.