Daily Current Affairs- 20th February 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 20th February 2026

India Joins 100+ Nations in Strong Stand Against Israel’s West Bank Actions

In the News: India joined over 100 countries and global organisations in signing a joint statement issued at the United Nations, condemning Israel's "unilateral decisions and measures" aimed at expanding its presence in the West Bank. The statement, issued by the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations, strongly opposed any actions altering the status of occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

Key Points:

• The Joint Statement: The statement "strongly condemns unilateral Israeli decisions and measures" in the West Bank, terming them contrary to international law. It urges the immediate reversal of such actions and reiterates strong opposition to annexation. The statement was initially signed by 85 nations on February 17, with India joining later when the total number of signatories exceeded 100.
• What the Statement Opposes: The signatories collectively rejected any changes to the demographic composition of Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, measures altering the character and status of East Jerusalem, and steps that undermine ongoing peace efforts. The statement noted that such measures violate international law, undermine peace and stability, and jeopardise the prospect of a negotiated settlement.
• Frameworks Reaffirmed: The joint statement reaffirmed support for relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid Terms of Reference (1991 peace conference framework), the Arab Peace Initiative (2002), and the principle of "land for peace" — all of which support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
• Background — The West Bank Issue: The West Bank has been under Israeli control since the 1967 Six-Day War. The international community largely considers Israeli settlements in the area illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this interpretation. The occupied territories include the West Bank and East Jerusalem, whose final status remains a core issue in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
• India's Position on Israel-Palestine: India has historically maintained a balanced and independent approach to the conflict. India supports a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine, advocates peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine within secure and recognised borders, and backs the two-State solution as the only viable path to lasting peace. Notably, India was the first non-Arab country to recognise the State of Palestine in 1988.

India Joins Trump’s Gaza Peace Board as Observer Amid Global Diplomacy Push

In the News: India participated as an observer in US President Donald Trump's inaugural Board of Peace meeting focused on Gaza reconstruction and stabilisation. Represented by Namgya C Khampa, Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington DC, India joined over 40 countries and the European Union at the event hosted at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace .

Key Points:

• Trump's Gaza Board of Peace: US President Donald Trump convened the inaugural Board of Peace meeting to focus on Gaza reconstruction, mobilise an international stabilisation force, and promote a structured peace framework. The meeting brought together leaders from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with over 40 nations and the European Union in attendance.
• India's Observer Status: India opted to attend as an observer rather than a formal board member, represented by Namgya C Khampa, Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington DC. Other observer nations included Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. India's observer role reflects its characteristically cautious and balanced diplomatic approach — engaging in dialogue without formal alignment on the Israel-Palestine issue.
• India's Traditional Diplomatic Position on Gaza: India has consistently supported a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, peaceful dialogue between parties, and the provision of humanitarian assistance to affected populations. Its participation as an observer is consistent with this long-standing independent foreign policy stance.
• Pakistan's Participation: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the meeting as a formal participating board member, in contrast to India's observer status. Trump praised Sharif and Pakistan's military leadership during the event, highlighting the complex and sensitive South Asian geopolitical dynamics playing out within this broader global diplomatic platform.
• Global Participation and Key Agenda: More than 40 countries and the European Union confirmed attendance at the Board of Peace meeting. The key agenda items included post-conflict reconstruction in Gaza, stabilisation and peacekeeping mechanisms, and international funding mobilisation for long-term regional stability.

Trump Announces 10% Global Tariff After Supreme Court Setback

In the News: US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a 10% global tariff on imports from all countries, effective February 24, 2026 — hours after the US Supreme Court struck down his earlier emergency-based tariff regime in a 6-3 ruling. The move marks a sharp escalation in US trade policy and a significant constitutional confrontation between the executive and judicial branches.

Key Points:

• Supreme Court Ruling: In a 6-3 verdict, the US Supreme Court invalidated Trump's earlier sweeping tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), ruling that the IEEPA does not authorise the President to impose tariffs without Congressional approval.
• Trump's Executive Order — 10% Global Tariff: Reacting swiftly to the ruling, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 10% tariff on imports from all countries under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The tariff came into effect on February 24, 2026. Under Section 122, these tariffs are capped at 15% and limited to a maximum duration of 150 days (approximately 5 months), during which new investigations will determine future tariff levels.
• Additional Trade Investigations: Trump simultaneously announced the initiation of investigations under Section 301 of the US Trade Act to counter unfair foreign trading practices, and signalled potential future action under Section 232 (national security grounds). US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer described the Section 301 measures as "incredibly legally durable."
• Tariff Revenue and Economic Impact: The Congressional Budget Office had projected existing tariffs could raise around $3 trillion over a decade, though this would still be insufficient to eliminate long-term budget deficits. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the shift to Section 122, Section 232, and Section 301 measures is expected to keep 2026 tariff revenues "virtually unchanged." Separately, tariff payments by mid-sized American firms — collectively employing around 48 million people — have tripled over the past year, prompting many to raise prices, curtail hiring, or accept reduced profit margins.
• Refund Uncertainty: The Supreme Court ruling has cast uncertainty over approximately $170 billion in tariff revenue collected under IEEPA over the past year, which may now be subject to refunds. Trump indicated the issue would need to be "litigated for the next two years," while Bessent noted it could be "dragged out for weeks, months, years."
• Key Legal Provisions to Remember: The US Constitution grants Congress — not the President — the power to levy taxes and tariffs. The IEEPA limits executive authority in trade matters and does not authorise unilateral tariff imposition. Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 allows temporary tariffs up to 15% for up to 150 days. Section 301 addresses unfair foreign trade practices, and Section 232 covers national security-based trade actions. Tariffs are paid by importers, not exporting governments, and costs are often passed on to consumers.

India Joins Pax Silica Alliance with the United States

In the News: India formally joined the Pax Silica coalition at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The signing ceremony marked a significant milestone in India-US strategic technology cooperation, with Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and senior US officials in attendance.

Key Points:

• What is Pax Silica? Pax Silica is a US-led strategic coalition of trusted, democratic nations aimed at securing the full "silicon stack" — from critical minerals and semiconductor fabrication to advanced AI systems and deployment infrastructure. It seeks to reduce overconcentration in global supply chains, prevent economic coercion, and ensure emerging technologies are governed by open, democratic societies.
• India's Formal Entry: India joined the Pax Silica declaration on Day 5 of the India AI Impact Summit 2026. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor welcomed the move as a "fantastic partnership," and described it as both "strategic and essential." Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called it highly significant for India's growing semiconductor and electronics ecosystem.
• India's Semiconductor Ambitions: Vaishnaw highlighted India's compounding growth since Independence and its rising semiconductor capabilities, noting that Indian engineers are today designing the world's most advanced two-nanometer chips. He added that the semiconductor industry will require around one million new skilled professionals — a major opportunity for India's youth. Ten semiconductor plants are already being established, with the first set to begin commercial production soon.
• US Perspective: Jacob Helberg, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, described the declaration as "not merely an agreement on paper, but a roadmap for a shared future," adding that economic security is national security. Ambassador Gor stated that Pax Silica is about ensuring free societies control the commanding heights of the global economy.
• High-Level Fireside Chat: Following the signing, a fireside chat featured MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan, Ambassador Sergio Gor, Micron Technology CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, and Tata Electronics CEO Randhir Thakur. Key themes included resilient AI-semiconductor supply chains, trusted partnerships, and India's coordinated push across AI, semiconductors, and critical minerals. Mehrotra called it a "win-win ecosystem to advance AI for good," while Thakur described it as "a timely and strategic step."
• Current Member Nations: The Pax Silica alliance currently includes the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Israel, and Australia as founding members. The UAE, Qatar, and Greece joined last month, and India has now become the latest member.

GalaxEye's AI-Powered OptoSAR Satellite 'Mission Drishti' to Transform Earth Data Analysis

In the News: Bengaluru-based space technology startup GalaxEye announced that its upcoming satellite, Mission Drishti, will feature NVIDIA Jetson Orin — a powerful compact AI computer — to process and interpret Earth observation data directly in space. The mission will also carry the world's first SyncFused OptoSAR architecture, combining Electro-Optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar sensors on a single satellite platform.

Key Points:

• Mission Drishti Overview: GalaxEye's Mission Drishti is an AI-enabled OptoSAR satellite designed to revolutionize Earth observation. CEO Suyash Singh described it as a defining milestone, building on the company's successful in-space demonstration in 2024.
• NVIDIA Jetson Orin in Space: Mission Drishti will carry the NVIDIA Jetson Orin module — a compact yet powerful AI computer — into orbit. It will run complex AI models, accelerate in-space data processing, reduce dependency on ground-based analysis, and deliver faster intelligence to customers.
• World's First SyncFused OptoSAR Technology: The satellite will feature GalaxEye's proprietary SyncFused OptoSAR architecture, which integrates Electro-Optical (EO) sensors — which capture high-resolution images during daylight and clear weather — with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors — which use radar pulses to image Earth in all weather conditions, including at night. This combination eliminates the traditional trade-off between image resolution and all-weather capability.
• Key Application Areas: The AI-enabled satellite will generate consistent, actionable intelligence for agriculture monitoring, disaster response and early warning systems, natural resource management, and infrastructure and environmental monitoring.
• Orbital Data Centres (ODC): Mission Drishti will also explore the feasibility of Orbital Data Centres, where multiple satellites operate as interconnected compute nodes, processing data collaboratively in orbit to improve scalability and operational efficiency. Insights from this mission are expected to shape future satellite constellation designs.

Harmanpreet Kaur Creates History: Becomes Most-Capped Player in Women’s Cricket

In the News: India captain Harmanpreet Kaur created history by becoming the most-capped player in women's international cricket, surpassing New Zealand legend Suzie Bates during the second T20I against Australia in Canberra. With her 356th international appearance, she set a new benchmark in women's cricket globally.

Key Points:

• Historic Milestone: Harmanpreet Kaur played her 356th international match during the second T20I against Australia in Canberra on February 20, 2026, surpassing Suzie Bates (355 matches) to become the most-capped women's international cricketer of all time.
• Top 5 Most-Capped Women Cricketers: Harmanpreet Kaur (India) – 356, Suzie Bates (New Zealand) – 355, Ellyse Perry (Australia) – 349, Mithali Raj (India) – 333, and Charlotte Edwards (England) – 309. Notably, Bates and Perry are still active, so the rankings may change over time.
• Career Overview: The Punjab-born cricketer made her international debut in March 2009 at the age of 19. She has since played 6 Tests, 161 ODIs, and 189 T20Is, scoring 200, 4409, and 3784 runs respectively, with 8 centuries and 38 fifties across formats.
• World Cup Glory: Harmanpreet led India to their maiden ICC Women's ODI World Cup title in 2025, defeating South Africa in the final — a historic turning point for Indian women's cricket. She also oversaw a 3-2 T20I series win in England.
• Match Context: Despite the historic occasion, India lost the second T20I to Australia. Georgia Voll (88) and Beth Mooney (46) put on a 128-run opening stand, powering Australia to 163/5. India were bowled out for 144/9 in reply, with Harmanpreet top-scoring with 36. The series is now level 1-1, with the decider scheduled in Adelaide on February 22, 2026.