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 | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI India poised to lead AI globally: Sam Altman Page 13 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 12 India set to lead global AI era, says PM Modi Australia v Oman STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 19 February BRIEFLY Sensex plummets over 1,200 pts, Nifty below 25,500: Mumbai: Indian benchmark indices witnessed heavy selling pressure on Thursday, recording their sharpest decline in more than two weeks as rising geopolitical tensions and higher crude oil prices hurt investor sentiment. The Sensex closed at 82,498.14, down 1,236.11 points or 1.48 per cent. The Nifty settled at 25,454.35, falling 365 points or 1.41 per cent. The benchmarks posted their worst single-day fall since February 1 this year. Technically, price action slipped below the short-term support band of 25,645–25,660, which coincided with the 20-day EMA, experts said. “Once this support gave way, selling pressure accelerated modestly, dragging the index toward the 25,350–25,400 support region and breaching previous short-term demand levels,” an analyst stated. The market decline was largely driven by rising crude oil prices and escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, which increased global uncertainty. Investors also booked profits in heavyweights from the banking and FMCG sectors, adding to the downward pressure. (Page 10) 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 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. T20 WC: Zimbabwe enter Super 8s undefeated Page 16 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. ECI orders time-bound preparations for Supreme Court to hear challenge to CAA from 5 May SIR of electoral rolls in 23 states, UTs STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 19 February The Supreme Court on Thursday said it will commence final hearing from May 5 on a batch of around 240 petitions challenging the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 and the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. A Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi set aside eight days — from May 5 to May 12 — for the matter. The cases have been divided into two groups: those concerning Assam and Tripura, and those relating to the rest of the country. “There are two sets of cases assailing CAA 2019…,” the Bench said, directing nodal counsel to identify and segregate matters accordingly. The Court indicated that petitioners would be heard first, followed by the Union government, with rejoinder arguments concluding on May 12. The CAA was passed by Parliament on December 11, 2019 and received Presidential assent the next day. Soon after, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) moved the Supreme Court challenging its constitutional validity. Over time, hundreds of petitions were filed by political leaders, civil society groups and individuals. The Act amends the UK police arrest former British Prince Andrew over Epstein links UNITED NEWS OF INDIA AUTHORITIES STATED THEY WERE CONDUCTING SEARCHES AT LOCATIONS IN NORFOLK AND BERKSHIRE, WHERE THE FORMER PRINCE HAD LIVED BEFORE DEPARTING HIS WINDSOR HOME EARLIER THIS MONTH, ACCORDING TO SOURCES. London, 19 February Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, 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. Authorities stated they were conducting searches at locations in Norfolk and Berkshire, where the former prince had lived before departing his Windsor home earlier this month, according to sources. Thames Valley Police are reportedly examining allegations that the former British prince and trade envoy, received women trafficked to the UK Friday, 20 February 2026 SPORTS WORLD BUSINESS | by Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied all allegations, maintaining that he never saw or suspected any of the conduct for which Epstein was accused. He has not publicly commented on the recent claims of misconduct in public office. The local media reported that police arrived with six unmarked vehicles and several officers in plain clothes. Documents suggest the alleged misconduct dates back to his tenure as a trade envoy, though Mountbatten-Windsor has said he regrets his past friendship with Epstein. Thames Valley Police continue to investigate the claims. No charges have yet been formally filed, and police have not released further details on the ongoing investigation. Notably, at least seven British police forces had said they were looking into or assisting with inquiries following the disclosures within the Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice. These are London’s Metropolitan Police, Thames Valley Police, Norfolk Constabulary, Essex Police, Bedfordshire Police, West Midlands Police and Wiltshire Police. Citizenship Act, 1955 by introducing a proviso to Section 2(1)(b), which provides that Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan — who entered India on or before December 31, 2014 — were not “illegal migrants”. This enables them to apply for Indian citizenship. Muslims are not included under the proviso. Petitioners have contended that the law violates Article 14 by introducing religion as a criterion for citizenship and undermines the secular character of the Constitution. On December 18, 2019, the Supreme Court issued notice to the Central government but declined to stay the Act at that stage, as the Rules had not been framed. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 19 February 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. In a communication issued on Thursday, Commission directed thhe Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Ladakh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, NCT of Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tripura, Telangana and Uttarakhand to complete all groundwork related to the revision exercise at the earliest. The SIR in these states and UTs is expected to commence from April 2026. 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. “Timely completion of preparatory work will ensure that the Special Intensive Revision begins smoothly and achieves its objective of enhancing the accuracy of voter lists,” the Commission said in its communication. Officials said the preparatory exercise would involve rationalisation of polling stations, verification of electoral databases, logistical arrangements, training of booth-level officers, and coordination with district administrations. A senior election official said, “The SIR is a comprehensive exercise aimed at removing discrepancies, eliminating duplicate entries, and facilitating the inclusion of all eligible citizens. Early preparation is essential for effective implementation.” The Commission has also directed CEOs to closely monitor district-level preparedness and submit status reports within stipulated timelines. Regular review meetings are expected to be held to track progress and address operational challenges. Election authorities in several States confirmed that internal assessments are underway to meet the April 2026 timeline. The ECI’s move signals the beginning of groundwork for one of the most extensive voter roll updation exercises in the country, reinforcing its commitment to transparency, accuracy, and greater voter participation ahead of future elections. 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 and 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,” the 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 Rule 23 of the of the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2024, that has been challenged by the TNPDCL, mandates that electricity tariffs must reflect actual costs so that approved revenue matches expenditure, except during natural calamities. Any revenue gap cannot exceed 3% of ARR and must be recovered with carrying costs in fixed instalments. Existing gaps as of January 10, 2024 must also be cleared within a defined timeframe. The Court issued notice to the Central government and others and sought their replies.