Catch up on the day’s must-read stories with Swarajya’s roundup of the morning’s headlines.
F-35 Jets Offered By Trump An ‘Option’ For India, Says Defence Secretary
India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has said that it is important for India to have an “option” like the F-35 fighter jet. However, he confirmed that no formal proposal has been made by the US for the sale of the stealth fighter to India. “It is not an offer yet… We will look into the offer after it becomes a firm offer. In any case, our procurements are done through a process… Creating an option of this type is important for us and we will look into it with an open mind,” Singh told ANI.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US, President Donald Trump has said that his administration is paving the way to provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters. He also announced plans to increase military sales to India by “many billions of dollars.” Meanwhile, India is working on developing its own fifth-generation fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), but its first flight is still years away. China is already deploying its fifth-generation fighter, and reports suggest that the Pakistan Air Force may also acquire stealth fighters from Beijing.
Indian Infra Cos Are Going Global For Bigger Gains
Indian infrastructure companies are expanding globally, with firms like Larsen & Toubro, Afcons, KEC International, and Tata Projects increasing their international order books to reduce business risks and tap into high-margin projects. Faster execution and fewer bureaucratic hurdles abroad are prompting these companies to bid aggressively for overseas contracts. The Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, is emerging as a key market, while Africa, Europe, and the Americas are also gaining traction.
L&T’s international orders accounted for 42 per cent of its $65-billion order book by December, with projects ranging from $500 million to $3 billion. KEC International’s transmission and distribution order book has grown significantly, with over 55 per cent now coming from global markets, driven by expansion in the Middle East, CIS, Saarc, and the Americas.
Hasina Accuses Yunus Of Chaos, Declares Comeback
Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has slammed the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government and vowed to return to ensure justice for victims of political violence. She accused Yunus of being unfit to govern, citing attacks on government installations and ongoing mob violence. Hasina also alleged that Yunus orchestrated the burning of her ancestral home in Dhaka, including the Bangabandhu residence. She criticized the government’s handling of the economy and security. The ousted Prime Minister declared her comeback, saying, “I shall return. Perhaps that’s why Allah has kept me alive.” This comes just days after Trump, speaking to the media alongside Modi, quipped, “I’ll leave Bangladesh to PM Modi,” suggesting that the US would not interfere as India deals with the situation in the country.
Other Developments
SC Limits Applications In Places of Worship Act Case
The Supreme Court on Monday (17 February) stated that there should be a limit on the applications being filed in support of or against the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, as the case continues to draw attention. “Enough is enough. There has to be an end to this,” the apex court said. The court deferred the case to April for a hearing by a three-judge bench, saying that only applications raising new grounds would be considered.
The petitions challenge the validity of the Act, which bars any change in the character of religious places after Independence, and seeks to unlock litigation over disputed sites like Kashi and Mathura. In December 2024, the court had directed trial courts to refrain from taking substantive actions or conducting surveys of religious structures until the validity of the Act is decided.
UK Hindus Protest Labour Govt’s ‘Islamophobia Council’
British Hindu groups have raised concerns about the UK government’s plan to establish an Islamophobia council, arguing it should be expanded to address hatred against all religions, not just Islam. The council, proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, aims to create an official definition of Islamophobia and advise ministers on tackling anti-Muslim discrimination. However, Hindu groups fear that such a definition could suppress legitimate criticism of Islam and lead to restrictions on free speech.
The Hindu Council UK advocates for a broader “religious hate crime prevention council” to address rising anti-Hindu and anti-Sikh hate crimes. In response, a government spokesperson assured that no blasphemy laws would be introduced, emphasizing a commitment to tackling all forms of religious hatred while protecting freedom of speech.
India To Centralise Antibiotic Approval To Tackle AMR
India is planning to remove the power of state drug regulators to approve antibiotic manufacturing as part of efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Under the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019, antibiotics will be classified as “new drugs,” making the central government the sole authority to approve their manufacture.
This decision comes as India faces the world’s highest burden of drug-resistant infections, with AMR being labeled by the WHO as one of the top 10 global public health threats. The move is aimed at controlling the overuse and abuse of antimicrobial medicines, which contribute to the development of resistance. According to the government, approximately 600,000 lives are lost in India annually due to drug-resistant infections.
Tesla Begins Hiring In India After Modi-Musk Meet
Tesla is hiring in India, signalling its imminent entry into the market after CEO Elon Musk’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US. The company posted advertisements for 13 roles, including customer-facing and back-end positions, on LinkedIn. Five of the positions, such as service technician and advisory roles, are available in both Mumbai and Delhi, while others, like customer engagement manager and delivery operations specialist, are specifically for Mumbai.
Tesla had avoided entering India due to high import duties, but recent reductions in the basic customs duty on high-end cars have made the market more attractive. Although India’s EV market is still smaller than China’s, it presents an opportunity for Tesla to address slowing sales.
From The States
Maharashtra: Fadnavis-Shinde Rift Deepens
The rift between Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Eknath Shinde deepened as the home department downgraded security for over 20 Shiv Sena MLAs and withdrew cover for some. While security was also cut for a few BJP and NCP leaders, more Sena members were affected. Shinde reviewed the industries department’s work despite Fadnavis having done so earlier, amid complaints from Sena minister Uday Samant. Their tussle, which began over guardian minister posts, has spread to other governance issues. Shinde also set up a Deputy CM’s Medical Aid Cell, while a bureaucrat was appointed MSRTC chairperson instead of the Sena transport minister.
Kerala: Congress Mouthpiece Attacks Tharoor Over LDF Praise
Shashi Tharoor faced backlash from Congress’s mouthpiece in Kerala, Veekshanam, after his praise for the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s handling of the economy. The editorial criticised Tharoor for creating unnecessary controversy and warned against harming the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) prospects in the upcoming local body elections. Tharoor’s comments, made in an opinion piece, praised the LDF government for economic innovation and sustainable growth, which drew criticism from within his party. The Veekshanam editorial called Tharoor’s remarks “ridiculous” and accused the government of making Kerala a “graveyard for industries.”
Uddhav Struggles To Keep His Flock Together
Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena UBT is facing internal turmoil following defections after its poor showing in the recent Assembly elections. To address the crisis, the party has called meetings of its MPs and MLAs on February 20 and 25, where Thackeray and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut will discuss leadership issues and strategies to prevent further exits. The party is also focusing on regaining ground in the Konkan region, once a stronghold, after key leaders like Rajan Salvi joined Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena.
Follow along for more updates throughout the day.
