The Hindu Morning Digest: February 18, 2026

IT Minister apologises for AI summit troubles; Kharge slams ‘mismanagement’

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) apologised for the difficulties faced by attendees on the opening day of the India AI Impact Summit, even as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Modi Government for the “utter chaos and rank mismanagement”.

Hardeep Puri must clarify his ‘62 email exchanges, 14 meetings’ with Epstein: Congress

The Congress on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) accused Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri of “lying” on the controversy surrounding the ‘Epstein files’ and asked him to explain the “62 email exchanges” with convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2014 and 2017. The party reiterated its demand for the Minister’s resignation.

Black box of aircraft from Ajit Pawar’s crash sustained damage

The black box of the aircraft involved in the crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others was exposed to intense heat and sustained fire damage. As a result, the cockpit voice recording is yet to be retrieved, according to the probe agency.

Kharge, Rahul to meet Congress leaders from five States, J&K on February 20 to plan strategy against India-U.S. trade deal

Seeking to increase pressure on the Narendra Modi Government regarding the interim Indo-U.S. trade agreement, the Congress has planned a meeting of leaders from five States and a Union Territory with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on February 20 to chart its political strategy.

Unnao custodial death: Delhi HC says Jaideep Sengar should surrender

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) said Jaideep Sengar, brother of expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kuldeep Sengar, should surrender in the absence of any order extending the earlier interim bail granted to him on medical grounds in the case pertaining to the custodial death of the father of the Unnao rape survivor.

My statements are always within constitutional limits, have no fear: Assam CM on viral video row

Amid the row over a viral video purportedly showing him taking aim and firing with a rifle at members of a particular community, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that he always makes statements within constitutional limits, and that’s why he has nothing to fear.

Bangladesh reform agenda wins voters’ backing, but rifts remain among parties

Bangladesh’s landmark referendum on constitutional reforms delivered a decisive mandate in favour of the July National Charter 2025, setting the stage for the most far-reaching reformation of the country’s governance framework since independence. According to official results published by the Election Commission, more than 48 million voters backed the Charter in the February 12 referendum, with 60.26% of participants voting “Yes”.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri holds talks with Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) held a courtesy meeting with the Leader of Opposition of Bangladesh and Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, Shafiqur Rahman, on the margins of the swearing-in ceremony of the new Bangladesh Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman.

Tina Ambani skips ED summons for the second time

Reliance Group chairperson Anil Ambani’s wife, Tina Ambani, on Tuesday (February 18, 2026) skipped the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons for the second time. The former actor, summoned in connection with a money laundering case, did not appear before the probe agency on February 10, following which she was issued the fresh notice.

Trump unveils first Japan investments under trade pact

President Donald Trump on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) announced Japan’s planned investments in U.S. energy and critical minerals projects, the first tranche under a bilateral trade pact, ahead of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Washington visit. The commitments amount to $36 billion, the U.S. Commerce Department said in a separate statement.

Former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah to join BJP on February 22

Former Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah will join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on February 22, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said after visiting his residence in Guwahati on Tuesday (February 17, 2026). The announcement ended speculations about which way Mr. Borah would go — remain with the grand old party by withdrawing his resignation or join another political party ahead of the upcoming elections to the 126-member Assembly.

Agreement on guiding principles reached with U.S.: Araghchi

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) that a general agreement on guiding principles for future talks has been reached in the second round of discussions with the U.S. in Geneva. The talks were “serious and more constructive” than the previous round, Mr. Araghchi told reporters in Geneva, adding that various proposals were presented and examined, reported the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

Om Birla attends swearing-in of new Bangladesh PM; invites Tarique Rahman to India on PM Modi’s behalf

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India and conveyed his best wishes to the newly sworn-in Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader. The invitation was extended to Mr. Rahman through a letter handed over by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who called on Rahman in Dhaka after the latter took charge as the Prime Minister on Tuesday (February 17, 2026), officials said.