Bangladesh Elections, India’s Inflation Rise, and Defence Deals News

On February 12, 2026, Bangladesh conducted its important 13th parliamentary elections amid reports of minor violence. Polling took place in 299 out of 300 constituencies, coinciding with a referendum on an extensive 84-point reform package. This election comes after the fall of the Awami League administration in August 2024. The counting of votes is currently underway, with preliminary results expected shortly.

In related news, India's key inflation rate has risen to 2.75% in January 2026, as per the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. This is the first report under a revised data series that introduces a new base year of 2024, changing the weighting of components such as food and housing. The increase is notable as it places the inflation rate back within the Reserve Bank of India's target range for the first time since August 2025.

On the international front, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced that recent updates to the White House factsheet regarding the framework for the India-U.S. interim trade agreement reflect a mutual understanding between the countries. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that both nations are committed to the implementation of this framework and the completion of the interim agreement.

In defence news, the Defence Acquisition Council has authorised the purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation. This approval precedes the anticipated visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India for an Artificial Intelligence Summit. Reports indicate that approximately 18 of these jets are to be acquired in ready-to-fly condition to meet the immediate needs of the Indian Air Force, while the remaining aircraft will be manufactured in India.

Additionally, under the recent trade agreement with the U.S., India will gain concessional duty access for garments made from American yarn and cotton, similar to the benefits provided to Bangladesh. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed this development, which is expected to bolster India's garment sector.

In internal political news, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Nishikant Dubey has initiated a motion against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, seeking to revoke his membership in the Lok Sabha and bar him from future elections.

In a separate judicial matter, Shivam Mishra, son of a prominent local businessman, was granted bail following his arrest linked to a high-profile accident involving a Lamborghini that resulted in injuries earlier this week.

A notable objection has arisen from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board regarding the Union government’s directive mandating the recitation of verses from Vande Mataram before the national anthem in official functions. The board labelled this requirement as unconstitutional and opposed to religious freedom, claiming it contradicts the beliefs of many Muslims in the country.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the establishment of a medical board to assess the eye condition of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, amid reports of vision loss. The court also ruled that Khan should be allowed to communicate with his children.

In entertainment news, the Indian Supreme Court has issued notices regarding the film 'Ghooskhor Pandat', with Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan commenting that certain titles should not denigrate any segment of society.

Research published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research indicates that shorter, all-oral treatment regimens for multidrug-resistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis are more cost-effective in India than the traditional longer therapies currently in use.

Finally, Aminul Islam, chief of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, is set to attend the upcoming India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match in Colombo. He expressed hope of improving strained relations with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following recent tensions.