 |
India Pulse | February 26, 2026: Your Daily Digest of India's Governance, Progress, and Vision
The India Pulse Newsletter for February 26, 2026 covers Canadian PM Mark Carney beginning his first official India tour, President Murmu to witness IAF’s Vayu Shakti exercise in Jaisalmer, Ministry of Ports approving Rs 797-crore green hydrogen jetty at Paradip Port, SEBI directing regulated entities to disclose registered name/number in social media posts from May 1, 4th India-Kenya Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting conclusion, Sri Lankan PM calling for stronger trade investment tourism ties with India, UIDAI-Google agreement to display authorised Aadhaar centres on Google Maps, first round of India-Israel FTA talks concluding successfully in New Delhi, Vaishnaw unveiling Rail Tech Policy portal and e-Railway Claims Tribunal, and Indian Railways sanctioning infrastructure projects across Northern Southern Eastern zones.
NEWS IN DETAIL
Canadian PM Mark Carney To Begin His First Official Tour Of India
The Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, will pay an official visit to India from February 27, 2026 to March 2, 2026. This will be Prime Minister Carney’s first official visit to India. The External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that Prime Minister Carney will arrive in Mumbai on Friday.
Over the next two days, he will participate in separate business engagements and interact with Indian and Canadian CEOs, industry and financial experts, innovators, educators, as well as Canadian Pension Funds based in India.
Prime Minister Carney will arrive in New Delhi on 1st of March. The next day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Canadian Prime Minister will hold delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House. Both leaders will review the progress achieved till date across diverse areas of the India – Canada Strategic Partnership. They will also take stock of ongoing cooperation in key pillars including trade and investment, energy, critical minerals, agriculture, education, research and innovation, and people-to-people ties. The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global developments. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Carney are also scheduled to attend the India-Canada CEOs Forum scheduled later in the day.
The visit comes at an important juncture in the normalisation of India-Canada bilateral relations. The two Prime Ministers have earlier agreed to pursue a constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for each other’s concerns and sensitivities, strong people-to-people ties, and growing economic complementarities. The forthcoming meeting between the leaders will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the positive momentum and shared vision of India and Canada in building a forward-looking partnership.
President Murmu to Witness IAF’s ‘Vayu Shakti’ Exercise In Jaisalmer
President Droupadi Murmu will witness the Indian Air Force’s Exercise ‘Vayu Shakti’ in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on February 27, 2026.
President Murmu is on a two-day visit to Rajasthan.
The Defence Ministry has informed that prior to the exercise, the President will fly a sortie in indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) - ‘Prachand’. The mission will be undertaken as a two aircraft LCH formation, with Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amarpreet Singh, flying in the second LCH.
Notably, the LCH ‘Prachand’ is India’s first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The helicopter has been designed to operate across diverse terrains, ranging from deserts to high-altitude regions.
After this, the President will attend the Indian Air Force’s mega demonstration ‘Vayu Shakti’ at the Pokhran Field Firing Range near the India-Pakistan border in the evening. During the event, various aircraft of the Indian Air Force will showcase their operational capabilities.
Besides the President, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will also be present at the programme.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Approves Rs. 797-Crore Green Hydrogen Jetty at Paradip Port Authority
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has approved the development of a jetty with allied facilities for handling green hydrogen, ammonia and other liquid cargo at Paradip Port at an estimated cost of over 797 crore rupees. The project will be implemented by Paradip Port Authority on a build-operate-transfer basis.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said that the project will not only enhance cargo capacity but also catalyse investment, generate employment and create a robust green energy ecosystem in Eastern India.
The Ministry informed that the facility will also include provisions for handling other liquid cargo to ensure optimal utilisation during the initial growth phase of the green hydrogen sector and to diversify Paradip Port’s cargo profile.
The Ministry added that the project is aligned with the objectives of the National Green Hydrogen Mission and is expected to support investments in green energy infrastructure in Odisha while strengthening port-based logistics for clean energy commodities. Meanwhile, the proposed jetty will incorporate specialised infrastructure and advanced safety systems for handling and storing green energy derivatives and other liquid cargo, supporting the development of an integrated green hydrogen ecosystem around Paradip Port.
SEBI Directs Regulated Entities to Disclose Registered Name, Number in Social Media Posts From May 1
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has directed all entities regulated by it to prominently disclose their registered name and registration number while posting securities market-related content on social media platforms. The directive was issued through a circular yesterday. The order applies to stock brokers, portfolio managers, mutual funds, as well as intermediaries and agents, including distributors. The new norms will come into effect from 1st of May.
According to SEBI, the move will help the investors to clearly distinguish between content published by registered and regulated entities and that shared by unregistered or unregulated players operating on social media. The requirement will cover all forms of content, including videos, written posts and other published material, shared on open platforms as well as closed or semi-closed groups across platforms such as YouTube, Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn, Reddit and Threads.
4th India-Kenya Joint Defence Cooperation Committee Meeting Concludes
The 4th meeting of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) between India and Kenya concluded, with discussions focusing on promoting collaboration in defence research and development and production.
The discussions also focused on expanding service engagements, enhancing training opportunities, and strengthening maritime security cooperation. During the meeting, both sides agreed to broaden the scope of service-to-service engagements, including initiating structured interactions between their respective navies.
The two sides expressed satisfaction with the progress made since the previous JDCC meeting and agreed to formulate a five-year roadmap to further deepen and expand defence cooperation. Both countries deliberated on cooperation in customized training programmes, instituting military exercises, border management, capacity building in advanced domains such as Electronic Warfare, Cyber Security, cooperation in military medical services, including training and knowledge exchange.
The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (IC) Amitabh Prasad, and Kenya’s Assistant Chief of Defence Forces Major General Fredrick L. Leuria. The Indian delegation included senior officers from Department of Defence, Services and DGAFMS. Ambassador of India in Kenya Dr. Adarsh Swaika and India’s Defence Attache in Kenya also joined the meeting.
Sri Lankan PM Calls For Stronger Trade, Investment and Tourism Ties With India
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has welcomed stronger business ties, higher investment, and increased tourist arrivals from India, reaffirming Colombo’s commitment to deepen cooperation with New Delhi.
Addressing a commemorative dinner marking India’s 77th Republic Day and Sri Lanka’s 78th Independence Day, Dr. Amarasuriya said the island nation look forward to expanded connections with Indian businesses and greater people-to-people exchanges through tourism.
The event was organised by the Sri Lanka India Society and was attended by diplomats, business leaders and members of the Indian community.
Dr. Amarasuriya described India as Sri Lanka’s “closest partner” and acknowledged New Delhi’s consistent support during challenging times. She said her government remained committed to advancing bilateral cooperation across economic, cultural and social sectors.
The Prime Minister noted that stronger engagement with India would contribute to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and regional stability, adding that both countries shared deep historical and cultural ties that should be translated into practical collaboration and mutually beneficial growth.
The remarks come amid growing Indian investment interest in Sri Lanka and rising tourist arrivals from India, now one of the island’s largest source markets.
UIDAI And Google Sign Agreement To Display Authorised Aadhaar Centres On Google Maps
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and Google have signed an agreement to display the authorised Aadhaar centres on Google Maps. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said that this move will enhance ease of access and convenience for residents across the country.
The Ministry said it will also display information related to centre accessibility, including features such as divyang-friendly infrastructure, availability of parking facilities and operating hours to enhance convenience for residents. Chief executive officer of UIDAI, Bhuvnesh Kumar, said the collaboration will improve ease of living for Aadhaar number holders and ensure that navigating the authorised Aadhaar centres is now faster and more transparent.
The Ministry said that the facility is expected to be available in the coming months. The collaboration is designed to enhance public convenience, combat misinformation, and ensure residents have seamless access to over 60 thousand Aadhaar centres and Aadhaar Seva Kendras all over the country.
First Round of India–Israel FTA Talks Conclude Successfully In New Delhi
The first round of negotiations for the India–Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA), held from 23 to 26 February 2026 in New Delhi, concluded successfully. The Terms of Reference (ToR) was signed in November 2025, establishing a structured framework for discussions on identified areas to enhance trade and economic cooperation.
During the four-day negotiations, both countries engaged in discussions covering a wide range of areas, including trade in goods and services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, customs procedures, intellectual property rights, digital trade, and other key chapters. Discussions were held in a constructive and forward-looking manner, with both sides reaffirming their objective of negotiating a comprehensive, balanced, and mutually beneficial agreement. Both sides also agreed to continue inter-sessional engagements virtually. The next round of in-person negotiations will be held in May 2026 in Israel.
Vaishnaw Unveils Rail Tech Policy, Portal And e-Railway Claims Tribunal
The Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced two more reforms as part of Indian Railways’ resolve to undertake 52 reforms in 52 weeks this year.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Mr Vaishnaw unveiled the third reform, the Rail Tech Policy, stating that its objective is to promote the large-scale adoption of technology in the Railways.
He said the Indian Railways aims to engage innovators, startups, industry and institutions to promote innovation in Railways. The Minister said that the policy has been brought in keeping in mind how AI can be used to enhance the safety and security of passengers. He added that AI and other technologies can be used for checking the parameters of railway tracks.
Mr Vaishnaw also unveiled the Rail Tech Portal for innovation. Talking about the 4th reforms, the Minister announced the e-Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT), which is a citizen-centric reform and digital solution designed to streamline and modernise the processing of court cases in the Railway Claims Tribunal. Mr Vaishnaw added that it will improve efficiency, accountability and transparency in 23 RCT Benches.
Earlier, Mr Vaishnaw had unveiled 2 reforms, including reforms for better onboarding services and more Gati Shakti Cargo terminals with better facilities to meet fresh targets.
Indian Railways Sanctions Infrastructure Projects Across Northern, Southern And Eastern Railway Zones
Indian Railways has sanctioned a series of strategic infrastructure projects across Northern, Southern and Eastern Railway zones. The Ministry of Railways, in a statement, said that these projects aim to modernise coaching maintenance ecosystems, decongest high-density corridors, eliminate operational bottlenecks and significantly enhance both passenger and freight capacity.
Indian Railways has sanctioned the Development of Coach Maintenance Facilities at Shri Ganganagar Station in Rajasthan under Phase I at a cost of over 174 crore rupees. The project is part of the broader initiative to upgrade and develop maintenance infrastructure for modern rolling stock, including LHB and Vande Bharat trains.
Indian Railways has also sanctioned the Augmentation of Coaching Maintenance Facilities at Lalgarh, Rajasthan, under Phase II at a cost of over 139 crore rupees. This augmentation will significantly enhance maintenance preparedness for additional Vande Bharat trainsets and other rolling stock.
In a major capacity enhancement initiative in Kerala, Indian Railways has sanctioned the doubling of the 21.10-kilometre Turavur-Mararikulam section of Southern Railway at a cost of over 450 crore rupees. The section lies on the strategically important Ernakulam-Alappuzha-Kayankulam corridor, which handles substantial passenger as well as freight traffic, including port-linked cargo.
The doubling project will enable the operation of nine additional passenger trains per day in each direction and facilitate increased freight movement of approximately 2.88 million tonnes per annum.
The Ministry of Railways said that the construction of the 4.75-kilometre Kalipahari Bypass Line under Eastern Railway in West Bengal has also been sanctioned at a cost of over 107 crore rupees to address operational constraints in the Asansol area. The project is expected to save around 90 minutes of detention for approximately nine freight trains per day and about 30 minutes for eight coaching trains.