French President Emmanuel Macron addressed Mumbai's India-France Innovation Forum with a resounding "Jai Ho," reaffirming France as India's most committed innovation partner. Macron boldly declared the question is no longer whether India innovates but who innovates alongside it, positioning France as the unequivocal answer. Highlighting India's global leadership, he noted Indian-origin CEOs helm Alphabet, Microsoft, IBM, Adobe, and Palo Alto Networks. Defence cooperation covering next-generation engines, submarines, multirole helicopters, and advanced combat aircraft was celebrated as a cornerstone of the Special Global Strategic Partnership. Space collaboration through the TRISHNA satellite and civilian nuclear initiatives further cement bilateral ties. PM Modi and Macron shared a car ride, visibly symbolising their personal rapport.

India and France elevated bilateral ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership as PM Modi and President Macron met in Mumbai, projecting the alliance as a cornerstone of global stability amid worldwide turbulence. Key outcomes included renewal of a defence cooperation agreement, inauguration of the H125 helicopter assembly line in Karnataka by Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus, and a Bharat Electronics Limited-Safran joint venture to produce Hammer missiles. Both leaders championed a multipolar world, opposing hegemony. Additional highlights included the India-France Year of Innovation, Indo-French Centres for AI in Health and Digital Sciences, cooperation in critical minerals, and Macron's invitation to Modi for France's upcoming G7 Summit cementing 21 wide-ranging agreements overall. (PC: X)

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla represented India as special envoy at the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh's new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka, delivering a personal letter from PM Narendra Modi inviting Rahman for an official visit to India at the earliest convenience. Birla conveyed Modi's warm greetings, reaffirming India's commitment to supporting Bangladesh's journey toward a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation. He emphasised the deep historical, cultural and people-to-people bonds shared between both neighbouring countries. On the sidelines, Birla also held productive meetings with the President of Maldives and Prime Minister of Bhutan, discussing regional cooperation and matters of mutual interest, signalling India's active diplomatic engagement across South Asia. (PC: X)

Bengaluru police's Central Crime Branch narcotics wing, alongside multiple city units, arrested 15 individuals including three foreign nationals for drug trafficking across six police station jurisdictions: Amruthahalli, Hebbagodi, JB Nagar, Sheshadripuram, Mahalakshmi Layout, and Govindapura. Acting on specific intelligence, officers registered cases under the NDPS Act and conducted coordinated raids on multiple dates. Seized contraband included 9.46 kg hydro ganja, 34 kg ganja, 5.67 kg MDMA, 131 g cocaine, 29 LSD pills, 27 g LSD strips, and 462 ml hashish oil. Additional items confiscated included a car, two-wheeler, four mobile phones, and ₹24,500 cash. The estimated contraband value stands at ₹10.59 crore, with potential street value reaching ₹21.5 crore. (PC: The Indian Express)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron elevated India-France ties to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership" during Macron's three-day India visit. In Mumbai, the two leaders jointly inaugurated the H-125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly Line at Tata Airbus's facility in Vemagal, Karnataka,  a helicopter capable of flying at the altitude of Mount Everest. Modi declared the partnership has "no boundaries," spanning deep oceans to the tallest mountains, calling France a "special partner" and a pillar of global stability. Macron is also scheduled to attend the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on February 18–19, further cementing India-France strategic and technological collaboration. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron announced a Special Global Strategic Partnership during Macron’s visit to Mumbai on Tuesday. The visit marks the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, which aims to highlight growing cooperation in strategy and technology. Both leaders also inaugurated the year of innovation and are holding talks to strengthen ties in defence, trade, climate and new technologies. The visit includes meetings with business leaders, researchers and start-ups to expand collaboration. Macron’s three-day visit will also cover the AI Impact Summit and further bilateral talks in New Delhi. (PC: NDTV)

Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, met Narendra Modi in Mumbai during his three-day visit to India. The talks focused on artificial intelligence cooperation and a possible major Dassault Rafale fighter jet deal. Officials said both sides reviewed progress in the India–France strategic partnership. They discussed expanding ties in new and future technology sectors. Macron is visiting at Modi’s invitation to attend the AI Impact Summit. The Prime Minister’s Office said the leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues. A proposal to buy 114 more Rafale jets is expected to be discussed. (PC: NDTV)

India’s chief negotiator will visit the United States next week to finalise the legal framework of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA). Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said a delegation led by Joint Secretary Darpan Jain will hold talks. India and the US had announced an interim trade deal on February 7. Under the deal, the US will cut tariffs on Indian exports to 18%. In return, India may reduce or remove tariffs on selected US imports. Agrawal said exports from April 2025 to January 2026 rose to $720.76 billion, marking a 6.15% increase over last year. (PC: PTI)

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested an Indian “illegal alien” accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. The agency identified the man as Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli. ICE said he faces charges of sexual assault and larceny in New Jersey. He is also accused of shoplifting and public disorder. The agency stated that he will remain in custody during removal proceedings under US immigration law. ICE did not share details about the date of arrest. The case comes during a wider immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump’s administration in the United States.

India has detained three oil tankers sanctioned by the United States and linked to Iran near the Mumbai coast, according to a Reuters report citing a source. The vessels were stopped about 100 nautical miles offshore and taken to Mumbai for checks. Officials suspect attempts to hide the origin of oil through ship-to-ship transfers. The source said the ships often changed identity details to avoid tracking. Iran’s state media said the tankers have no link to its national oil company. After the action, authorities increased sea monitoring. Around 55 ships and 10–12 aircraft are now on round-the-clock patrol, the source said. (PC: India Today)