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February 21, 2026 February 21, 2026 - Current affairs for all the Exams: India Joins Global 'Pax Silica' Alliance as AI Impact Summit 2026 Concludes in New Delhi

India has formally joined the U.S.-led <b>Pax Silica</b> initiative to secure semiconductor and AI supply chains, marking a major strategic shift in its high-tech diplomacy. The five-day <b>India AI Impact Summit</b> concluded with a global endorsement of India's "AI for All" vision, alongside significant bilateral progress on trade and energy security.

In a landmark move for India's technological and strategic autonomy, the Union Government formally signed the agreement to join Pax Silica, a U.S.-led global coalition. This initiative is designed to build resilient, secure supply chains for critical minerals and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, aimed at reducing global dependence on a single source and fostering a robust semiconductor ecosystem within India.

Key Highlights of the India AI Impact Summit 2026:

  • Global Declaration: The summit, held from February 16–20 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, concluded with all major participating countries signing the AI Impact Summit Declaration, endorsing India’s framework for Responsible AI.

  • Diplomatic Engagements: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on the sidelines. Key discussions were held with the President of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

  • UN Cooperation: During a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, India emphasized the need for UN reforms to give a greater voice to the Global South in the digital age.

India-U.S. Trade and Energy Dynamics:

Parallel to the summit, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that the interim trade deal with India remains "on track" despite recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings on general tariffs. Under the agreement, Washington will lower tariffs on Indian goods to 18%. In a significant shift for energy security, reports indicate that India is in active negotiations to diversify its crude oil sources by potentially increasing imports from Venezuela and the U.S., as part of a broader commitment to reduce reliance on Russian oil.

Other Significant National Developments:

  • Kerala DA Hike: The Kerala government announced a substantial increase in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for state employees and teachers, raising it from 25% to 35%.

  • 15th Indian Student Parliament: The inaugural session of the 15th Indian Student Parliament commenced in Pune on February 21, focusing on the integration of sportsmanship into political statesmanship.

  • Statehood Day: On February 21, the nation commemorated the Statehood Days of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram, highlighting their contributions to national integration.

This summary is curated for students appearing in competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and Banking, focusing on international relations, policy shifts, and national milestones.

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