Daily Current Affairs- 22nd February 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 22nd February 2026

India seeks to join IEA: Why its request for membership is not a straightforward process

In the News: At the recent annual ministerial meeting of the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol announced that "India's membership is in its final stages." IEA member governments unanimously agreed to move ahead on building deeper institutional ties with Brazil, Colombia and Vietnam India. However, India's full membership remains complex as it would require the IEA to amend its founding legal framework, which currently restricts membership to OECD countries.

Key Points:

• About the IEA: The International Energy Agency (IEA) is a Paris-based intergovernmental organisation created in 1974 as a response to the global oil crisis triggered by the Arab oil embargo during the Yom Kippur War of 1973. It was originally set up by 17 OECD countries to ensure stable oil supplies, prevent future supply disruptions, and manage dependence on imported oil. Over time, its mandate has expanded significantly to cover renewables, climate change, decarbonisation, energy transition, and critical minerals.
• IEA's Emergency Mechanism: A core feature of IEA membership is the mandatory requirement for every member country to maintain minimum strategic stocks of oil to neutralise supply disruptions. This emergency mechanism has been used several times, including during the 1991 Gulf War and following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
• Membership Structure: IEA currently has 32 full members, all of which are OECD countries. At the recent ministerial meeting, Colombia (accession country) was inducted as the 33rd full member, having joined OECD in 2020. In 2015, IEA opened its doors for non-OECD countries to become associate members, who participate in policy discussions but do not hold decision-making rights. There are currently 13 associate members. India became an associate member in 2017.
• Why India Wants Full Membership: India seeks full membership primarily to gain decision-making rights within IEA, which plays an increasingly influential role in guiding global energy policies. IEA has evolved into a leading knowledge platform on energy transitions, climate change, and clean energy technologies, and hosts one of the most reliable and comprehensive global energy databases. India submitted its formal request for full membership in October 2023, and the matter has also figured in India's bilateral discussions with the United States.
• Why India's Membership is Not Straightforward: IEA's founding charter restricts membership exclusively to OECD member countries. Since India has no inclination to seek OECD membership, the IEA would need to either amend its eligibility criteria or make a special exception for India. Current deliberations suggest that an amendment to IEA's legal framework may be on the cards. Brazil, also a non-OECD member, has similarly sought full IEA membership, adding further momentum to the push for charter reform.
• India-IEA Engagement: IEA's engagement with India has increased significantly in recent years, with several India-focused reports and data publications. India also engaged IEA to produce a special report on its LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, which revealed that widespread adoption of simple lifestyle changes could avoid up to 2 billion tonnes of global emissions by 2030.

Global economic impact of U.S. SC invalidating Trump tariffs

In the News: The United States Supreme Court in a landmark 6-3 ruling struck down President Donald Trump's sweeping "Liberation Day" tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977, finding that the President had overstepped his constitutional authority. The ruling sent shockwaves through global trade, opening the door to potentially billions of dollars in tariff refunds while simultaneously injecting fresh uncertainty into the international trade landscape.

Key Points:

• The Supreme Court Ruling: The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Trump lacked authority under the IEEPA to impose sweeping global tariffs. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, held that Congress had not explicitly delegated tariff powers under IEEPA and that when Congress delegates such powers, it does so in explicit terms with strict limits. The ruling was joined by the three liberal justices and two Trump-nominated justices — Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch. Justices Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh, and Samuel Alito dissented.
• Background — Liberation Day Tariffs: The tariffs struck down were announced on April 2, 2025, imposing a baseline 10% rate on all trading partners and country-specific "reciprocal" tariffs. The US had already collected at least $130 billion in tariffs under IEEPA before the ruling. As per the Final Monthly Treasury Statement for Fiscal Year 2025, the US raised $195 billion in total customs duties — more than twice the previous fiscal year — with a large share reflecting the post-April 2025 measures now invalidated.
• Trump's Response — Section 122 Tariffs: Hours after the ruling, Trump announced a replacement 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which he subsequently raised to 15% on February 21, 2026. The new tariffs took effect on February 24, 2026. Unlike IEEPA tariffs, Section 122 authority is explicitly temporary — capped at 15% and valid for only 150 days, after which Congressional approval is required for continuation. With mid-term elections approaching and inflation concerns persisting, Congressional approval may prove difficult to secure.
• The Refund Question: Tariff collections between April 2, 2025 and February 20, 2026 may be subject to protest and refund claims. However, under US customs law, refunds are not automatic and hinge on the technical concept of "liquidation of an entry" — the formal administrative act by which Customs finalises the duty owed on a specific shipment. Once liquidated, the importer has 180 days to file a protest; if denied, the importer may sue before the US Court of International Trade. Trump indicated refunds would not come without lengthy legal battles, and dissenting justices warned the process would create an administrative "mess."
• Who Benefits from the Ruling: Under US law, only the "importer of record" — typically a US company — may file refund claims with Customs. Foreign exporters cannot directly claim refunds. Whether exporters benefit depends on private contractual arrangements, including tariff-sharing clauses and retroactive price-adjustment mechanisms. There is no automatic government-to-government mechanism to channel refunds back to foreign exporters.
• China Stands to Gain the Most on Paper: China accounted for roughly one-third of US tariff collections in CY2025, with importers of Chinese goods paying approximately $91.8 billion in customs duties. If a significant share of post-April collections is refunded, the largest nominal relief would accrue to importers dealing in Chinese goods, though whether Chinese firms themselves benefit depends on private contractual law.

Deal in deep water

In the News: The United Kingdom's draft legislation to ratify the transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is currently progressing through Parliament. The deal has come under sharp criticism from US President Donald Trump, who called it "an act of great stupidity" and urged the UK to "not give away Diego Garcia," where a major US-UK joint military base is located in the central Indian Ocean.

Key Points:

• About the Chagos Islands: Officially referred to as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), the Chagos archipelago consists of 60 islands set in seven ring-shaped coral atolls, located in the central Indian Ocean approximately 1,600 km from the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent and about 2,000 km north-east of Mauritius. The largest island, Diego Garcia, hosts a joint US-UK military base with an airfield, a deep-water port, and communications and surveillance infrastructure. The islands currently have no permanent civilian population.
• Historical Background: The islands were uninhabited when discovered by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century. France took control in the late 18th century, treating them as dependencies of Mauritius. The UK took over in the early 19th century, and Mauritius and its dependencies were formally proclaimed British colonies under the Treaty of Paris in 1814. Seychelles was detached from Mauritius in 1903. The BIOT came into being in 1965 following a US-UK agreement. Mauritius gained independence in 1968, with the UK paying it a £3 million grant to retain control over the Chagos Islands. In 1971, a military facility was constructed on Diego Garcia and the local Chagossian population — descended from African slaves and Indian plantation workers — were relocated to Seychelles or Mauritius.
• Legal and Decolonisation Disputes: In 2000, the British High Court found the removal of Chagossians to be illegal and granted them the right to return, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2007 but reversed by the House of Lords in 2008. In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory ruling finding that the decolonisation of Mauritius was incomplete and illegal, recommending that the UK end its administration of the islands.
• The Deal: An agreement was sketched out in October 2024 and a final treaty transferring sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius was signed in May 2025 by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam. The plan, estimated to cost £3.4 billion, envisages the UK handing over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back the Diego Garcia military base for 99 years at an average cost of £101 million per year. The deal includes a £40 million trust fund to support Chagossians, who will be permitted to resettle in all islands except Diego Garcia. Before the treaty enters into force, it must be ratified through legislation currently progressing through the UK Parliament.
• Trump's Opposition: US President Donald Trump has strongly criticised the deal, calling it "an act of great stupidity" and describing the potential loss as "a blight on our Great Ally." Trump described Diego Garcia as "strategically located" and suggested the island may be needed to counter threats from Iran. He also linked the deal to his own stated desire to acquire Greenland, framing territorial control as a broader strategic priority.
• UK's Justification: The UK government has maintained that the deal is vital for its security interests. Prime Minister Starmer argued the agreement was necessary to avert the risk of a future binding legal judgment affecting the UK's ability to continue using the Diego Garcia base, which would have posed a far greater security risk.

AI Impact Summit: 85 countries, 3 bodies sign New Delhi Declaration

In the News: The AI Impact Summit 2026, held in New Delhi on February 18–19, 2026, concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact. A total of 85 countries and 3 international organisations — including both the United States and China — endorsed the Declaration, reflecting a broad-based global consensus on leveraging artificial intelligence for economic growth and social good. The Summit was organised around the guiding principle of "Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya" (Welfare for all, Happiness for all).

Key Points:

• About the New Delhi Declaration: The Declaration is a landmark outcome of the AI Impact Summit 2026 hosted by India. Endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations including the US, China, EU, and IFAD, it underscores that the benefits of AI must be equitably shared across humanity. It emphasises strengthening international cooperation, respecting national sovereignty, and advancing AI through accessible and trustworthy frameworks. As with the 2023 G20 Summit, the road to consensus was built on non-binding and voluntary commitments.
• Seven Pillars (Chakras) of the Declaration: The Declaration is structured around seven key action pillars — Democratizing AI Resources; Economic Growth and Social Good; Secure and Trusted AI; AI for Science; Access for Social Empowerment; Human Capital Development; and Resilient, Efficient and Innovative AI Systems.
• Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI: Inspired by the principle of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family), this voluntary and non-binding framework aims to promote affordable access to foundational AI resources, support locally relevant innovation, and strengthen resilient AI ecosystems while respecting national laws.
• Global AI Impact Commons: A voluntary platform introduced to encourage and enable the adoption, replication, and scale-up of successful AI use cases across regions, enabling cross-country collaboration for development impact and providing governments with practical examples to draw inspiration from.
• International Network of AI for Science Institutions: A voluntary and collaborative platform to connect scientific communities and pool AI research capabilities across regions among participating institutions, aimed at accelerating the impactful adoption of AI in scientific research and development.
• AI for Social Empowerment Platform: A voluntary and collaborative platform to facilitate exchange of learning, knowledge, and scalable practices to advance AI adoption for social empowerment, enabling individuals to access knowledge, services, and opportunities across borders.
• AI Workforce Development Playbook and Reskilling Principles: The Declaration introduced voluntary guiding principles for reskilling in the age of AI and a playbook on AI workforce development, aimed at supporting nations in expanding AI literacy, skilling and reskilling, training of public officials, and upgrading vocational ecosystems to prepare for an AI-driven economy.
• India-US Bilateral Outcome: On the margins of the Summit, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Michael Kratsios witnessed the signing of the Pax Silica Declaration and a Joint Statement on the "AI Opportunity Partnership," reflecting deepening India-US cooperation in the AI domain.

New Kashmir wheat varieties to solve crop cycle issue

In the News: Scientists at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K) have developed two new early-maturing wheat varieties — Shalimar Wheat-3 (SW-3) and Shalimar Wheat-4 (SW-4) — aimed at resolving the long-standing rice-wheat crop rotation problem in Kashmir. The varieties are designed to mature before June, enabling farmers to vacate their fields in time for paddy transplantation.

Key Points:

• The Problem — Broken Crop Cycle: Wheat is a rabi crop sown in October and typically harvested in early summer. In Kashmir, where rice is the dominant kharif crop, farmers need to vacate their fields by May-June to transplant paddy. Earlier wheat varieties, mostly sourced from sub-tropical regions like Haryana and Delhi, tended to mature late — around June or July — in Kashmir's climatic conditions, causing the rice-wheat rotation to break down and affecting food security and livelihoods.
• About the New Varieties: SKUAST-K developed two new wheat varieties after nearly a decade of research under the All India Coordinated Project on Wheat and Barley, funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Shalimar Wheat-4 (SW-4) matures by the last week of May, while Shalimar Wheat-3 (SW-3) matures in the first week of June, both fitting comfortably within the rice-wheat rotation window. The new varieties are suited for mid-altitude regions up to approximately 1,850 metres above sea level.
• Breeding Methodology: The varieties were developed using conventional breeding techniques including cross-breeding and pedigree selection. Scientists generated thousands of progenies from hundreds of crosses and screened thousands of pedigree lines before identifying promising candidates. The entire process — from lab selection to farmer field trials and official release — took approximately 9 to 10 years, involving testing at multiple university research stations and real farmers' fields with support from the Agriculture Department.
• Key Features of SW-3: Beyond early maturity, SW-3 is also biofortified with iron and zinc content of more than 40 ppm, has a protein content of 12%, is resistant to yellow rust disease, and has a potential productivity of up to 38 quintals per hectare. It represents a significant advance in combining nutritional quality with agronomic performance.
• Yellow Rust Resistance: Both varieties are resistant to yellow rust, a fungal disease that gives leaves a rusty-yellow appearance, causes stunting, and reduces yield. Yellow rust has been a recurring problem for farmers in Kashmir due to the region's climatic conditions, and resistance significantly reduces crop risk, especially in years with favourable conditions for disease outbreaks.
• Early Maturity vs Yield Trade-off: Early maturity in wheat often carries a potential yield penalty due to a negative correlation between maturity duration and yield. However, researchers have prioritised timely maturity over maximum yield because fitting into the rice-wheat cropping cycle is more critical for Kashmir's agricultural system. The new varieties are still high-yielding, but their timely maturity is considered their most valuable trait.