eznews.inIndia has officially joined the US-led strategic alliance, ‘Pax Silica’, aimed at enhancing supply chains for critical minerals and artificial intelligence (AI). The agreement was signed by IT Secretary S Krishnan and US Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, who emphasized the coalition's focus on building a resilient economic order. The Pax Silica initiative, which includes nations such as Australia, Japan, and the UK, seeks to foster deep economic and technological cooperation, ensuring mutual prosperity and security. Google CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the partnership's potential to democratize AI benefits globally, asserting that collaboration is essential for maximizing outcomes in this transformative field. The declaration underscores the importance of reliable supply chains and trustworthy AI systems for long-term economic security. This strategic move follows a recent bilateral trade agreement and reflects a growing commitment to innovation-driven cooperation between the US and India. 
Published: Feb 20 2026, 11 ameznews.inIndia's private sector experienced a notable acceleration in February, driven by strong demand for goods, despite steady growth in services, as indicated by HSBC’s flash India Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which rose to 59.3 from January's 58.4. This marks the highest level in three months and surpasses a Reuters poll forecast of 59.0. The increase was fueled by a significant rise in new orders, attributed to robust demand, local tourism, and marketing efforts, with international sales also seeing their fastest growth in five months. While manufacturing PMI improved to 57.5, services PMI remained stable at 58.4. However, inflationary pressures intensified, with input costs rising at the fastest rate in 15 months, prompting concerns for the Reserve Bank of India, which is expected to maintain its key policy rate at 5.25% amid rising retail inflation of 2.75%.
Published: Feb 20 2026, 10 ameznews.inCustoms officials at Nhava Sheva port have detained 46 containers from the Comoros-flagged vessel _WIV Reyfa_, which are reportedly misdeclared as Afghan walnuts but actually contain produce from China. The ship, which has been held for over two weeks, was flagged for inspection following specific intelligence from the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). An arrest has been made in connection with the case, which involves an estimated ₹50 crore in duty evasion. Traders have long exploited misdeclarations to benefit from zero-duty imports under the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), with walnuts from the US and Chile often misrepresented as Afghan to evade a 100% customs duty imposed to protect domestic growers. The CIU has noted that traders manipulate documentation to create false trails for these shipments, a practice that extends beyond walnuts to other commodities like arecanut and garlic.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 9 pmeznews.inBrazil is facing climate change challenges similar to those in India, according to Navneet Ravikar, CMD of Leads Connect, an agritech firm. On Thursday, the company launched its AI-enabled Integrated Command Centre for Risk Intelligence (ICCRI) and the Kedar–Parvati platform, designed for large-scale risk management in agriculture. These initiatives align with India's growing emphasis on artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, coinciding with the ongoing India AI Impact Summit. The Kedar–Parvati platform integrates satellite intelligence and financial risk modeling to support farmers and institutions. Brazilian Minister of Agrarian Development, Paulo Teixeira, attended the launch, expressing a commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in agricultural technology and climate-resilient practices. Ravikar noted that the solutions developed are well-suited for Brazil's agricultural ecosystem, highlighting the potential for deploying these innovations to address shared climate challenges.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIn a significant development for India's rail transport, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai has unveiled the country's first 15-car Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) rake, designed specifically for the Mumbai suburban network. This new rake, which can accommodate up to 7,555 passengers, aims to alleviate congestion during peak travel hours. Currently, the maximum number of cars in a rake operating in India is 12, making this innovation a notable advancement in commuter rail capacity. ICF plans to manufacture a total of 12 such rakes in the coming months, enhancing the efficiency and comfort of suburban rail services in Mumbai. The announcement was made on February 19, 2026, highlighting the ongoing efforts to modernize India's railway infrastructure.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 9 pmeznews.inStorage levels in India’s 166 major reservoirs have fallen to 61.65% of capacity, with all five regions reporting levels below 75% this week, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC). Current storage stands at 113.160 billion cubic metres (BCM), significantly higher than last year but 25 percentage points above the 10-year average. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a 56% deficiency in rainfall since the start of the year, with central India experiencing an 85% shortfall. While four reservoirs remain full, only 20% of reservoirs exceed 80% capacity, and over 22% are below 50%. In the southern region, storage is at 53.12%, with Andhra Pradesh at 66.5% and Tamil Nadu at 59%. The northern region's reservoirs are at 57%, while eastern reservoirs average 59%. A low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal may improve conditions in South India, but overall storage is expected to decline as summer approaches.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 9 pmeznews.inThe Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Dr Reddy’s Foundation (DRF) have formalized a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing agricultural vocational training and farmer extension services across India. The agreement, signed at the ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, seeks to build capacity in modern farming practices through strategic coordination led by Anil Kumar, Assistant Director General (Coordination) at ICAR. An ICAR official emphasized that the collaboration will integrate quality skill development in agriculture, leveraging ICAR’s research capabilities alongside DRF’s community engagement model to improve rural livelihoods and promote agricultural sustainability. Suman S., Director of Rural Livelihoods at DRF, noted that this partnership will enable the foundation to expand its impact while ensuring alignment with national agricultural frameworks. The initiative is expected to significantly contribute to the advancement of the agricultural sector in India.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 8 pmeznews.inAVPL International has partnered with DeHaat and Farmers City India Pvt Ltd to train approximately 140,000 agri and drone entrepreneurs across India over the next five years. This initiative aims to create one of the country’s largest integrated rural entrepreneurship ecosystems by combining skill development, agri retail expansion, drone technology, electric mobility, and structured credit facilitation. Training centres will be established nationwide, adhering to NSDC and ASCI standards, ensuring trainees receive nationally recognized qualifications. Successful participants will launch agri input retail stores under DeHaat’s dealership model, while drone entrepreneurs will provide services like precision spraying and crop health monitoring. The collaboration also aims to facilitate access to institutional credit for first-generation entrepreneurs, including support under Uttar Pradesh's Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan scheme. This initiative reflects a commitment to enhancing rural livelihoods and productivity through skill and technology integration.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's ethanol blending programme has seen a significant shift in feedstock dynamics during the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024-25, with maize emerging as the dominant raw material, contributing nearly 48% of total ethanol production, up from 42.6% the previous year, according to the All India Distillers Association (AIDA). This transition marks a departure from traditional sugarcane-based sources, bolstered by government policies and increased procurement prices. Cumulative ethanol supplies reached approximately 1,039 crore litres, fulfilling 89% of contracted volumes, with grain-based feedstocks, including maize and rice, accounting for 69% of the total. AIDA President Vijendra Singh highlighted the resilience of India's biofuel ecosystem, emphasizing the benefits for maize farmers and the reduced dependence on sugarcane. The industry, with a capacity of around 2,000 crore litres, is poised for further growth, advocating for higher blending mandates and the promotion of Flex-Fuel Vehicles to enhance sustainability and reduce crude oil imports.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 8 pmeznews.inFrench President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, urged India to collaborate with France in safeguarding children from the dangers of social media and artificial intelligence. Emphasizing the need for a sovereign AI strategy amid rising global competition, Macron highlighted the urgency of creating a safe online environment for minors, stating, “There is no reason our children should be exposed online to what is legally forbidden in the real world.” He called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join a new coalition aimed at protecting youth, referencing France's initiative to ban social media for children under 15. Macron underscored the importance of responsible AI development, asserting that the future of AI should prioritize accessibility and ethical considerations. He expressed confidence that France and India could jointly shape a sustainable and inclusive digital future, grounded in shared values of innovation and multilateralism.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 8 pm
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