www.thestatesman.com | FOLLOW US: India’s National Newspaper since 1818 @TheStatesmanLtd | Pages 20 | 8th Day @thestatesmanltd ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC People’s Parliament, Always in Session @thestatesman1875 | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR Evolve What is a ‘Ghost Eye’? Amitav Ghosh on his new novel | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | 22 February 2026 S P O RT S Together through thick & thin Batting concerns loom as India face South Africa in high-stakes Super Eight clash Page 20 India, Brazil target $20 billion trade, to bolster supply chain STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 21 February Sri Lanka v England India v South Africa BRIEFLY Rain washes out NZ-Pak Super 8 clash: Colombo: Spectators were left frustrated as the much-anticipated Super 8 clash between New Zealand and Pakistan was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain. Both teams were eager to get their campaigns underway in this crucial phase of the tournament, but the weather had other plans. Although there was a brief window of hope for a shortened contest if conditions improved but as time passed, the rain grew heavier, further diminishing any realistic chance of action. I ndia and Brazil on Saturday set an ambitious target to raise bilateral trade beyond $20 billion over the next five years, as the two countries expanded cooperation across technology, defence, energy, critical minerals, agriculture and global governance reforms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the growing economic engagement reflects deep mutual trust between the two democracies. “We are committed to taking our bilateral trade beyond 20 billion dollars in the next five years. Our trade is not just a number; it is a reflection of trust,” he said, noting that Brazil remains India’s largest trading partner in Latin America. The announcements came during a joint press conference held in New Delhi after delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Modi and Brazilian President Lula da Silva. Welcoming the visiting leader, Modi said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome President Lula and his delegation to India. The warmth and cordiality with which you welcomed me in Brazil last year, I reciprocate today with the same spirit here in India.” The two sides also pushed forward collaboration in emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, supercomputing, semiconductors and blockchain. “Our collaboration in technology and innovation is significant not only for both countries but also for the entire Global South. I am happy that we are working to establish a Centre of Excellence in Brazil for Digital Public Infrastructure,” the Prime Minister said, underlining that technology “must be inclusive and must become a bridge for shared progress.” In a significant step towards supply chain resilience, India and Brazil signed an agreement on critical minerals and rare earths. Modi described it as “a major step towards building resilient supply chains.” Defence ties, he added, continue to grow, reflecting “mutual trust Trump hikes global tariffs from 10pc to 15pc day after US SC order STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 21 February US President Donald Trump on Saturday increased global tariffs from 10 per cent to 15 per cent, a day after suffering a major setback in the United States Supreme Court. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said that following a “thorough, detailed and complete review” of what he described as a “ridiculous, poorly written and extraordinarily anti-American” ruling on tariffs issued by the court, he had decided to act. He stated that, with immediate effect, the 10 per cent worldwide tariff on countries — which he claimed had been “ripping” the United States off for decades — would be raised to the “fully allowed and legally tested” level of 15 per cent. Trump added that over the next few months, his administration would determine and announce new tariffs that are legally p ermissible, saying the measures would further advance what he called the successful process of “Making America Great Again — greater than ever before”. E a r l i e r, U S P re s i d e n t Donald Trump insisted that the India-US trade deal remains firmly on track and will not be affected by the Supreme C our t’s r uling against his emergency tariffs, asserting that India will continue paying tariffs under the pact while the US will not. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump h a d s a i d , " I t h i n k my relationship with India is fantastic, and we're doing trade with India. India pulled out of Russia. India was getting its oil from Russia. And they pulled way back at my request, because we want to settle that horrible war where 25,000 people are dying every month." When asked if the court ruling would affect the trade deal with India, Tr ump replied, "Nothing changes." Trump further clarified, "The India deal is on...all the deals are on, we're just going to do it" in a different way. Indian govt monitoring impact of US tariff ruling: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Saturday that it is closely analysing US Supreme Court judgement on tariffs. In a communique released here on Saturday, the Ministry said, “We have noted the US Supreme Court judgement on tariffs yesterday. President Trump has also addressed a press conference in that regard. Some steps have been a n n o u n c e d by t h e U S Administration. We are s t u dy i n g all these developments for their implications.” ‘Cyber frauds matter of concern, Judiciary will leave no stone unturned in curbing threats’, assures CJI Surya Kant STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Jaipur, 21 February Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has assured the nation that whatever role Judiciary can play in curbing and preventing cyber crimes -threats it would play to the best of its ability. "We will leave no stone unturned", he said in his address at the inaugural session of the three - day national conference on Cyber Safety here late Friday evening. The CJI said "cyber crime or threat is no more remained simply a cyber crime, it now is a loot, extortion and dacoity that has also evolved into mass phenomenon". Therefore, all stakeholders, including, police, judiciary, cyber experts, IT professionals, students, youths and even the public needed to work together in inclusive and coordinated way to mitigate the threat. Pointing at the seriousness of the situation, CJI Surya Kant said as many as 66 lakh complaint of cyber cheating, account hacking or other sorts of cyber loot/loss, involving amount of loot of around Rs 55,000 crore have been lodge in the country in the past 5 years. This mass criminal phenomenon has been engaging global attention, people from all walks - all strata falling victims, he said adding "Even I am also a victim, every alternative day a new fake site was being created in my name by fraudulent. On investigations it was revealed that those sites were created by criminals/ fraudsters in Nigeria. He said that legal institutions certainly have their role in addressing the cyber threats, however, mass awareness down to the grass roots level in the form of a moral education crusade would play the effective role. Such crusades or mass awareness drives should be spearheaded in local dialect of the people and not in any imposed language (medium). Talk to people in local dialect to listen him or her and also explain them on suggestions - solutions in their local dialect. For maintaining cautious handling-alertness at individual level one can take cue from our old time preachings that used to teach one pehle socho phir bolo (think well before uttering a word) and pehle samajho phir karo (grasp well before taking a move or action). The preachings are still relevant today, but, with little modification we have to follow pehle socho phir click karo(think cautiously before clicking the mouse), the CJI advised. The conference is being held under aegis of the Rajasthan State Legal ServicesAuthority. The seminar was attended by several Supreme Court judges, including Justices Rajesh Bindal, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, N. Kotiswar Singh, M.M. Sundresh, and P.S. Narasimha, along with High Court judges and district judiciary members. (File Photo) and strategic alignment,” with both sides determined to strengthen the “win-win partnership.” Energy cooperation featured prominently in the talks. Alongside hydrocarbons, the countries are expanding collaboration in renewable energy, ethanol blending and sustainable aviation fuel. Brazil’s active participation in the Global Bio-Fuel Alliance was cited as a sign of shared commitment to a green future. Brasília has also proposed co-chairing the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), a move welcomed by New Delhi. Agriculture, animal husbandry, and food security emerged as new pillars of engagement. The leaders discussed cooperation in climate-resilient agriculture, precision farming and bio-fertilisers. In the health sector, India will work to increase supplies of affordable and quality medicines to Brazil, while also promoting Ayurveda and traditional medicine. Mamata targets BJP over Bengali language, honours BJP MP Ananta Maharaj at Language Day event STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 21 February With the Assembly elections approaching and political tensions rising, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP without naming the party, accusing it of being hostile towards Bengal and the Bengali language. Speaking from the stage of the state government’s International Mother Language Day programme at Deshapriya Park in South Kolkata, Mamata said, “They are far too greedy when it comes to Bengal,” and alleged that Bengali speakers were being harassed in other states for speaking their mother tongue. The Chief Minister raised concerns over linguistic discrimination and asserted that Bengal respected all languages and communities. “We honour all languages because we belong to the land of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Swami Vivekananda spoke in this language. If any language is attacked, we will protest. But I must clearly say that in some places people are being tortured for speaking Bengali,” she said. Mamata pointed out that Bengal was home to people from diverse linguistic backgrounds, including Gujaratis and Marwaris, and questioned why the Bengali language was being disrespected. Referring to Bengali being accorded classical language status, Mamata thanked state education minister Bratya Basu for coordinating extensive research and documentation. She alleged a systematic attempt to undermine Bengal’s cultural identity. “Why is Bengali insulted so much? Today there is an attack on Bengali. Do you want to erase Bengali? Snatch away the rights of Bengalis?” she asked. “Bengal can tolerate everything. It can give everything for the country. But it does not bow its head before anyone. We bow only to the people and the soil, not to laddoos from Delhi,” she said, adding that Bengal could not be “conquered” from Delhi. Meanwhile, in an interesting development, Rajya Sabha BJP MP Ananta Maharaj arrived at Deshapriya Park alongside Mamata Banerjee and paid tribute at the martyrs’ memorial. Mamata herself presented Ananta Maharaj with the state’s highest civilian honour, the Bangabibhushan, recognising his efforts towards the socio-economic development of the Rajbanshi community.