Morning Digest: Jaishankar denies India has lost ‘strategic autonomy’; four new astronauts arrive at ISS to replace NASA’s evacuated crew, and more

Jaishankar denies India has lost ‘strategic autonomy’

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday (February 14, 2026) denied that India’s strategic autonomy had been impacted because of claims that it was reducing the amount of Russian oil in its energy import mix due to the recent trade agreement with the United States.

Four new astronauts arrive at International Space Station to replace NASA’s evacuated crew

The International Space Station returned to full strength with the arrival of four new astronauts to replace colleagues who bailed early because of health concerns. SpaceX delivered the U.S., French and Russian astronauts on Saturday (February 14, 2026), a day after launching them from Cape Canaveral.

‘National interest’ will guide BNP on Ganga Water Treaty renewal: BNP chair’s foreign affairs adviser

Bangladesh will take a decision on the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty based on its “national interest”, according to Humaiun Kobir, foreign affairs adviser to Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Bangladesh’s Prime Minister-designate following the BNP’s landslide victory in this week’s election. Speaking to The Hindu in an exclusive interview, Mr. Kobir urged India to “break from the past”, adding that communal incidents in India are a “matter of concern” for Bangladesh.

Union Cabinet clears ‘Urban Challenge Fund’ for cities

The Union Cabinet on Friday (February 13, 2026) approved the launch of the ‘Urban Challenge Fund’ (UCF), a new Centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, with a total Central assistance of ₹1 lakh crore. It aims to support transformative and bankable urban projects through a competitive “challenge-mode” as urban infrastructure cannot be funded by public finance alone.

U.S., Iran to hold new round of nuclear talks in Geneva this week, Swiss government says

Iran and the United States will hold a second round of talks over Tehran’s nuclear program next week, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said on Saturday (February 14, 2026). Oman, which welcomed the first round of indirect talks on February 6, will host the talks in Geneva, the Swiss Ministry said, without specifying which days.

U.S. military reports series of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria

The U.S. military on Saturday (February 14, 2026 reported a series of strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria in retaliation for the December ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter. U.S. Central Command said in a statement that American aircraft had conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 IS targets between February 3 and Thursday (February 12, 2026), hitting weapons storage facilities and other infrastructure.

Atishi video row: Delhi Assembly again seeks FIR details from Punjab Police

The Delhi Assembly has again sought documents related to an FIR registered by the Punjab police in connection with the alleged doctored video clip of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi that was posted on X by Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra.

Strong Opposition set to test BNP’s dominance as Bangladesh’s new Parliament takes shape

Bangladesh’s 13th Parliament is set to be one of the country’s most politically contested in nearly three decades, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) forming the government after winning a two-thirds majority and the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance emerging as the strongest Opposition bloc since the 1996 elections. The BNP secured 209 of 297 seats in the February 12 parliamentary polls, while the Jamaat-led alliance won 77 seats, positioning itself as the principal Opposition.

Bangladesh’s newly elected MPs to take oath on February 17

Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner is expected to administer the oath of office to the new government led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Tarique Rahman on February 17, the party said on Saturday (February 14, 2026) .“The individuals elected in the 13th National Parliamentary Election will take their oath of office on Tuesday, 17 February. The oath will be administered in the morning by the Chief Election Commissioner, Mr. A.M.M. Nasir Uddin,” a statement from the BNP’s press team read.

Supreme Court to hear Sabarimala review pleas on February 16

The Supreme Court is scheduled on February 16 to hear a series of review and writ petitions concerning a September 2018 judgment allowing women of menstruating age entry into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has scheduled the petitions for hearing on Monday (February 16, 2026).

Police put up posters seeking information on JeM ‘commander’ in Kishtwar amid reports of escape attempt

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday (February 14, 2026) raised an alert on Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) ‘commander’ Saifullah, active in the Chenab Valley’s Kishtwar, amid reports of him escaping from the region. Meanwhile, “unnecessary movement” has been barred within five kilometres from the International Border (IB) in Kathua district owing to ”sensitive situation” and possibility of cross-border firing.

T20 World Cup: Jansen and Markram deliver as SA decimates NZ

After surviving a mighty Afghan scare by the barest of margins, South Africa left nothing to chance in its seven-wicket demolition of New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday (February 14, 2026). The result extended the Proteas’ winning run in the T20 World Cup.