NEW DELHI: In a day marked by high-level diplomacy and technological milestones, India has solidified its position as a global leader in both strategic alliances and emerging technology governance. The last 24 hours have seen several critical developments essential for competitive exam preparation.
1. India AI Impact Summit 2026 and the 'Delhi Declaration'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. A key outcome of the summit was the formal adoption of the 'Delhi Declaration', which world leaders are hailing as the "Magna Carta of AI."
- The Seven Sutras: The declaration is built on seven guiding principles, including trust, human dignity, accountability, and transparency.
- Global South Leadership: Unlike previous summits in the UK or South Korea that focused on existential risks, the Delhi framework prioritizes inclusive development and Sovereign AI capabilities to prevent "data extractivism."
- Compute Bank: India proposed a global "Compute Bank" to democratize access to high-end processing power for startups and researchers.
2. India-France 'Special Global Strategic Partnership'
During the official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron (February 17–19, 2026), India and France elevated their relationship to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership." This is a significant upgrade from the 1998 Strategic Partnership.
- Year of Innovation: The leaders inaugurated the 2026 India-France Year of Innovation in Mumbai.
- Key Sectors: The partnership expands cooperation in defense co-production, nuclear energy, space exploration, and green hydrogen.
- Diplomatic Milestone: This marks President Macron's fourth visit to India, reinforcing France as India's most comprehensive strategic partner in the West.
3. Agriculture: Launch of 'Bharat-VISTAAR'
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Bharat-VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) portal in Rajasthan. This digital companion integrates 10 major central schemes, including PM-KISAN and PM Fasal Bima Yojana, into a single interface to provide farmers with real-time access to subsidies, weather alerts, and credit facilities.
4. National Security and Defense
The Indian Army is currently hosting the first-ever United Nations Fellowship Training Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control for the Asia-Pacific region. The training is being held at the Military College of Materials Management (MCMM) in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, marking the first time this UN programme has been held in Asia.
5. Governance and Polity Updates
- Rajya Sabha Elections: The Election Commission of India has announced that elections for vacant seats in the Rajya Sabha across 10 states will be held on March 16, 2026.
- National Biobank: India’s first government-supported National Biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) was inaugurated at the FRIGE Institute in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
- Legal: The Supreme Court has directed its registry to halt the listing of petitions related to State Bar Council elections until further notice.
6. Sports Brief
In domestic cricket, the Jammu and Kashmir team made history by reaching their maiden Ranji Trophy final. Meanwhile, the Indian national team has expressed high confidence ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup Super Eight stage.