Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (February 12, 2026)

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I welcome you to this press conference.

I will begin with an announcement. This is in regard to the visit of the President of Brazil for the AI Summit. At the invitation of Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, will be paying a State Visit to India from 18th to 22nd February 2026. President Lula will be participating in the second AI Summit, which is to be held from 19th to 20th February here in Delhi. The main day of the Brazilian state visit, the bilateral talks, will be on 21st February.

President Lula will be hosted by our Honorable President, on 21st and there will be several other dignitaries who will be calling on him, including Honorable Vice President of India. President Lula will be accompanied by several ministers and a business delegation, and there are several events that have been planned engaging the business delegation as well. For more details, you can refer to the press release that will be shortly issued on the visit of President of Brazil.

We have also announced the visit of President of France for the AI Summit. So with this, we have made announcement for the second leader who will be visiting India for the AI Summit and for bilateral talks. We will be giving you more details of other leaders who are coming for the AI Summit, and hopefully that you should have soon. It will help you in preparing your engagement for the AI summit as also for you to write as to how you look at international engagement in this AI summit, which is going to be at scale here in New Delhi.

With that, I open the floor for questions.

Rishabh, Times Now:Sir, good evening. Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, there were changes that were made to the fact sheet that was issued by White House between 9th of February and 10th of February. Was there any discussion between India and US regarding that Fact Sheet, given that there was a departure from the Joint Statement?

Keshav Padmanabhan, The Print:Thank you, sir. Keshav Padmanabhan from The Print. My first question is, in the last few weeks we've seen increasing attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine. Now I understand the position of dialogue and diplomacy is the answer to the Russia-Ukraine war. However, this is targeted attacks on civilian energy infrastructure. Does the MEA have any comment or statement to make on this?

And if I may, the second question was on the Seychelles visit. Was there any discussion held with the President of Seychelles with regards to naval cooperation that Seychelles has with China? Thank you very much.

Ayushi Agarwal, ANI:Sir, this is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. My question is related to the recent visit of our National Security Advisor to Ottawa. It was agreed during the meeting that both sides would establish security and law enforcement liaison officers. Has a time frame been finalized for that?

Nayanima Basu, Independent Journalist:Nayanima, independent journalist. Sir, I wanted to understand both Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami have in their manifestos mentioned very robust defense plans, especially defense doctrine, defense modernization plan. Is that a cause of concern for India? Are you looking at it? If you can give your views. Thank you so much.

Divya, Indian Express:Sir, Divya from Indian Express. A UN report has mentioned Pakistan-based JeM's link to Red Fort blast. So your comments, do we have more information?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:So Rishabh, first regarding your question on the fact sheet. All of you are aware that India and the United States, we had agreed to a Joint Statement on the framework for an interim agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade. This was issued on 7th February 2026. The Joint Statement is the framework, and remains the basis of our mutual understanding in this matter. Both sides will now work towards implementing this framework and finalizing the interim agreement. The amendments in the US fact sheet reflect the shared understandings contained in the Joint Statement.

Jaisa ki aap log jaante hain, Bharat aur America ke beech paarasparik roop se laabhkaari vyaapaar par ek antarim samjhote ke dhaanche hetu dono deshon ke beech mein ek joint statement 7 February ko jaari kiya gaya tha. Yeh joint statement hi woh dhaancha hai aur is maamle mein hamaari aapsi samajh ka aadhar hai. Hum dono paksh is dhaanche ko laagu karne ke liye aur antarim samjhote ko antim roop dene ke liye us disha mein kaam kar rahe hain. Jahaan tak Ameriki fact sheet ka sawaal hai, usmein kiye gaye badlav ya sanshodhan woh joint statement nihit saajha samajh ko darshati hai.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]:As you all know, India and the United States had issued a Joint Statement on 7th February 2026 on the framework for an interim agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade. The Joint Statement is the framework, and remains the basis of our mutual understanding in this matter. Both sides will now work towards implementing this framework and finalizing the interim agreement. The amendments in the US fact sheet reflect the shared understandings contained in the Joint Statement.

Rishabh, on your question regarding Russia-Ukraine. You know, I would like to refer to our position which has been stated and in which we are very clear that we want that there be cessation of hostilities and both sides come together, engage in dialogue and diplomacy so that there is peace and stability in the region.

On Seychelles, you know, this visit was a long visit. It is happening at an important time when both countries are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic ties. During the course of the visit, we've had high-level engagements, and during those high-level engagements, all aspects of this relationship have been discussed. We had a press briefing by Foreign Secretary where he also talked about defense cooperation that is happening between India and Seychelles, and what are the elements of it. So I would refer you to those documents, and to those conversations for more details that you may wish to look at.

Ayushi, yes, we had given you a readout of the National Security Advisor's visit to Canada where he met his counterpart as part of ongoing collaboration and cooperation that we have on security matters.

And this is part of our regular dialogue that we have. Yes, both countries have agreed to establish a liaison officer so that we can have clear flow of information, smoother flow of information, better coordination on matters of security such as crimes and drug trafficking, so on and so forth, and both countries can collaborate better to strengthen our joint collaboration, our fight against such menace.

So, both countries have agreed that there'll be liaison officers on both sides and as to when it is going to happen, I don't have a time framework in mind with me as at this point in time, but we'll get you an update on that.

Nayanima, yes, on your question, we have the election going on in Bangladesh. We should wait for the outcome of the elections to see as to what sort of mandate has come out and thereafter, we will look at issues that are there. On the election per se, you know what our position has been, we stand for a free, fair, inclusive and credible elections in Bangladesh.

Divya, on the report of the monitoring team, this particular report that you refer to, it is available in the public domain, it is online. This was the 37th report of the analytical and support sanctions monitoring team. This was published on 4th of February 2026. And we have seen that they have taken onboard India's inputs in regard to our concern on cross-border terrorism and also as to how we can strengthen global fight against terrorism.

Kadambini Sharma, Independent Journalist:Kadambini Sharma, independent journalist. Sir, Gaza Peace Board ka jo pehla prastaavit baithak jo hai bataya ja raha hai ki 19 February ko hai. Kya Bharat ne ismein shaamil hone ko lekar koi nirnay liya hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Sir, it is being reported that the first proposed meeting of the Gaza Peace Board is on 19 February. Has India taken any decision regarding participating in it?

Megha, Zee News:Good evening, sir. Megha from Zee News. My question is related to Bangladesh elections. Is the government of India going to recognize the election results, keeping in mind that there was a statement that was given by the government of India that there needs to be inclusion of all political parties and ensuring free and fair elections?

And also, the invite that had been sent by the Bangladesh government to countries including India to send observers to observe the elections, has India accepted that? And are there observers from India that have also traveled to Bangladesh?

Brahm Prakash Dubey, Zee News:Sir, Brahm Prakash Dubey Zee News se. Mera sawaal hai sir ki Ameriki Rashtrapati Donald Trump ka video viral ho raha hai, jismein woh kehte nazar aa rahe hain ki main chahoon toh Bhartiya Pradhan Mantri Modi ka career nasht kar doon. Toh kya yeh video farzi hai? Aur agar yeh sahi hai toh Bharat Sarkar ne kya iska sangyaan liya hai, virodh darj karaya hai?

Aur sir, doosra sawaal Epstein file ko lekar, kal Cabinet Mantri Hardeep Puri ne ek press conference bhi ki, woh diplomat rahe hain. Toh isko lekar kya hamaare jab woh diplomat the, kya zaroorat rahi hai, kya sambandh raha hai kyunki sansad mein isko lekar bhi kaafi sawaal uth rahe hain. Toh kya sthiti hai Epstein file ko lekar? Thank you.

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Brahm Prakash Dubey from Zee News. My question is that a video of former US President Donald Trump is going viral, in which he is seen saying that if he wants, he can destroy the career of Indian Prime Minister Modi. So is this video fake? And if it is genuine, has the Government of India taken cognizance of it or lodged any protest?

And sir, my second question is regarding the Epstein file. Yesterday, Cabinet Minister Hardeep Puri also held a press conference; he has been a diplomat. So what was the need for this, and what connection was there when he was a diplomat, because many questions are being raised about this in Parliament as well. So what is the situation regarding the Epstein file? Thank you.

Madhurendra, News Nation:Sir, Madhurendra main News Nation se. Jaisa ki already declare kiya ja chuka hai ki France ke Rashtrapati Emmanuel Macron Bharat ke daure par hain. Aaj DAC ke approval mein humne dekha ki 118 Rafale vimaano ki khareed ki manzoori di gayi. Saath hi Scalp misaailon ki khareed ko bhi manzoori di gayi. Toh Bharat aur France ke jo defence ties hain ya defence deal hai, uske maddenazar isko kaise aap dekhte hain?

Aur ek sawaal sir Hindi mein Bangladesh chunaav ko lekar bhi, kyunki chunaav ke theek pehle humne dekha ki kis tarah se hinsa grast ilaako mein khaas taur pe minorities ko target kiya gaya. Ab jabki chunaav ho rahe hain aur loktantra ki bahaali ka ek raasta khulta dikhayi de raha hai, toh kis tarah se Bharat ki umeedein jo hain Bangladesh ki nayi sarkar se hongi aur is chunaav se hain?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Madhurendra from News Nation. As has already been announced, French President Emmanuel Macron is on a visit to India. Today, in the DAC approvals, we saw that the procurement of 118 Rafale aircraft has been approved. Along with this, the purchase of SCALP missiles has also been approved. So, in view of the defence ties and defence deals between India and France, how do you see this development?

And sir, my second question is regarding the Bangladesh elections in Hindi as well, because just before the elections we saw how in violence-affected areas, especially minorities, were targeted. Now that elections are taking place and a path towards the restoration of democracy seems to be opening up, what kind of expectations will India have from Bangladesh's new government and from this election?

Dhairya Maheshwari, Sputnik:Dhairya Maheshwari from Sputnik, sir. Sir, we saw the meeting between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on the sidelines of the BRICS Sherpa meeting. There was a statement that said that China understands and respects India's aspirations for a UNSC membership. Should it be seen as a positive development since China has been the only P5 country which hasn't publicly supported India's UNSC membership bid?

And sir, another question. In an interview with BRICS TV, Russian Foreign Minister said that there are attempts to dictate and restrict Russia's trade investment cooperation and military-technical ties with India. How would you assess the current state of India-Russia ties amid external pressure? Thank you, sir.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:So first Kadambini, aapka sawaal. Dekhiye, Board of Peace ki jahaan tak baat hai, hum logon ke paas ek nimantran aaya Ameriki sarkar ki taraf se ki aap Board of Peace ko aap join kijiye. Hum log is par amal kar rahe hain, iski sameeksha kar rahe hain. Bharat ne aapko pata hoga ki Pashchim Asia mein shanti, sthirta aur samvaad ko badhava dene waale prayaason ka nirantar samarthan kiya hai. Hamaare Pradhan Mantri ne bhi un sabhi pehluon ka swagat kiya hai jo Gaza sahit is poore kshetra mein deerghkaaleen aur sthayi shanti ka maarg prashastha karti hai. Toh jahaan tak Board of Peace ke nimantran ka sawaal hai, uski hum log abhi sameeksha kar rahe hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]So first, Kadambini, your question. As far as the Board of Peace is concerned, we have received an invitation from the US government to join the Board of Peace. We are currently considering this proposal and reviewing it. As you are aware, India has consistently supported efforts that promote peace, stability, and dialogue in West Asia. Our Prime Minister has also welcomed all such initiatives that pave the way for long-term and lasting peace in the entire region, including Gaza. So, with regard to the invitation to join the Board of Peace, we are presently reviewing it.

We have received an invitation from the US side to join the Board of Peace. We are currently examining the proposal. As you know, India has consistently supported efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability and dialogue in West Asia. Our Prime Minister has welcomed initiatives that provide a pathway towards long-term and sustainable peace in the region including Gaza.

Brahm Prakash ji, yeh jo aap video ki baat kar rahe hain, maine toh nahi dekha hai. Lekin agar kuch is prakaar ka video hai, jo galat hai toh uspar hum log uchit kaaryavaahi karenge. Jahaan tak Epstein file ka sawaal hai aap logon ne hamaara bayaan dekha hoga. Isi manch se hum logon ne likhit mein aur maukhik dono taraf se humne us par bayaan diya tha, toh main aapka dhyaan us bayaan par aakarshit karna chahoonga.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]Brahm Prakash ji, regarding the video you are talking about, I have not seen it myself. However, if there is any such video, and if it is found to be fake, we will take appropriate action on it accordingly. As far as the Epstein file is concerned, you would have seen our statement. From this very platform, we have given our statement on it both in writing and orally. So I would like to draw your attention to that statement.

Madhu, jaisa ki aap jaante hain France ke Rashtrapati Emmanuel Macron ki Bharat ki daura hone waali hai. Is daure ke darmiyan woh dwipakshiya vaarta bhi karenge, aur saath hi saath AI Summit mein unki bhaagidaari hogi. France ke saath hamaare jo saamrik sambandh hain bahut mazboot hain aur har vishay par charcha hogi. Usmein raksha kshetra pe bhi charcha hogi aur hamaara maanna hai ki is daure se Rashtrapati Macron ke Bharat ke daure se hamaare dono deshon ke rishte aur pragaadh honge aur raksha kshetra mein bhi aur pragaadh honge.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]Madhu, as you know, French President Emmanuel Macron will be visiting India. During this visit, he will hold bilateral talks and will also participate in the AI Summit. Our strategic relations with France are very strong, and discussions will be held on all issues. Defence cooperation will also be discussed, and we believe that this visit of President Macron to India will further deepen the ties between our two countries, including in the defence sector.

Jahaan tak Bangladesh ka election ka sawaal hai, maine jaisa kaha thode der pehle ki kuch chand ghante aap log intezar karain kyuki wahan par abhi chunav chal raha hain, ek bar chunav khatam hone ke baad shayad aaj ya kal nishkarsh jab aayega uske baad hum log use aur apni baat rakhenge.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]As far as the Bangladesh election is concerned, as I said a little while ago, you should wait for a few hours because the elections are currently underway there. Once the elections are over, and perhaps the outcome comes either today or tomorrow, we will then share our views and present our position accordingly.

Dhairya, on the meeting between the Foreign Secretary and the visiting Executive Vice Foreign Minister of China. This visit was in the context of the BRICS Sherpa meeting that happened in New Delhi between 8th and 10th. During his visit, he also had strategic dialogue with the Foreign Secretary, who happens to be his counterpart, and several issues were discussed, including peace and tranquility on the border as to how important that aspect is in the progress of our ties with China. Yes, as we informed you, Executive Vice Foreign Minister conveyed that China understands and respects India's aspirations for UNSC membership.

On trade ties with, India-Russia trade ties and other aspects of our relationship. Russia - India, we have ongoing engagement and cooperation across a range of issues from trade to people-to-people cultural interaction, defence engagement. And all those ties, all those aspects of our bilateral relations continue to grow.

Kadambini Sharma, Independent Journalist: Sir about the [Inaudible]

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:Sorry, we did receive an invitation for sending observers. We have not sent our observers to Bangladesh to observe the elections.

Neeraj, News18 India: Sir, Bangladesh chunao ko lekar Bharat ka stand saaf hai free, fair aur samaveshi chunao hone chahiye. Aapne ek word credible joda hai. Uske maayne kya honge aane wale waqt mein?

Dusra ye ki Commerce Ministry ki taraf se ek baar fir kaha gaya hai ki Roos se tel kharid ko lekar Videsh Mantralay ki taraf se bayan diya jayega aur Trump ke executive order mein bhi ye likha gaya hai ki Bharat is baat ko raazi hua hai ki Roos se tel nahi khareedega. Videsh Mantralay ka kya paksh hai in dono bayano par?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, regarding the Bangladesh elections, India's stand is clear that elections should be free, fair, and inclusive. You have added the word "credible." What will its meaning be in the coming time?

Secondly, the Commerce Ministry has once again said that the Ministry of External Affairs will give a statement regarding the purchase of oil from Russia, and in President Trump's executive order it has also been written that India has agreed that it will not buy oil from Russia. What is the Ministry of External Affairs' position on these two statements?

Suhasini Haidar, The Hindu:I won't ask you to repeat the statement on India-US trade. But we do have a statement from the US Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur and he says, "The Indians have been reducing their purchases of Russian oil and diversifying away from it, which is what we wanted them to do, and they've been buying US energy." This is something that the US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has said, and of course President Trump himself has said it. It's a simple yes or no question. Is India reducing its oil imports from Russia on the say-so of the US?

Unidentified Speaker:Thank you. As you must know, the people of Cuba are facing a very hard situation with the US oil blockade, which has resulted in prolonged power outages and that have affected all services in the island. So, we would like to know the position of the Indian government on this matter.

Siddhant, CNN-News18:Hi sir, I'm Siddhant from CNN-News18. Sir, government is building mega dam project on Chenab after pausing Indus Waters Treaty. NHPC invites tenders for constructing Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. Your comments on this, Sir.

Yeshi Seli, Business India:This is Yeshi Seli from Business India. Just a related question to Russian oil. Of course you've said that this is an interim agreement, so negotiations are possibly going to continue. What was the last percentage of import of Russian oil when we if we calculate in say December of last year?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:So first Neeraj. Dekhiye, jahan tak Bangladesh ke chunao ka sawal hai, chand ghanto ki baat hai. Aap thoda intezaar kariye toh ek baar jo nishkarsh nikal kar aa jayega uske baad hum log dekhte hain us par kis prakar se isko, humko apni samajh us par banani hai.

Jahan tak Roos tel ka sawal hai, shayad aap Seychelles wale briefing mein nahi aaye the, wahan par hamare Foreign Secretary ne is baat ka khulasa kiya aur jo hamari soch hai, jo hamara approach hai, uske bare mein bataya aur kaafi bahut saare mudde par charcha kiya unhone, jahan tak hamare energy sourcing ki baat hai. Toh main chahunga ki jo itna detail aur vistar mein unhone baat kahi hai, us par aap nazar daliye.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]So first, Neeraj. As far as the Bangladesh elections are concerned, it is a matter of a few hours. Please wait a little. Once the outcome comes out, we will then see how we should assess it and form our understanding on it.

As far as the issue of purchasing oil from Russia is concerned, perhaps you were not present in the special briefing session on Seychelles. In that session, our Foreign Secretary clarified this matter and explained our thinking and our approach. He also discussed many issues in detail, including our energy sourcing. So I would request you to refer to what he said in detail and at length.

Suhasini, your statement regarding Russian oil, the kind of commentary, conversations that we are hearing. Exactly, to clarify matters, our Foreign Secretary has made a detailed statement on what is our energy sourcing. I would say that please do have a look at that, wherein he is highlighting the various aspects of what our approach to energy sourcing remains.

Regarding Cuba, yes, we have seen reports that there are issues in regard to energy requirements of Cuba, and we are closely following these developments.

Siddhant, any development project that happens in India is based on our understanding of what our development requirements are, what is the need that we have to meet the aspirations of people. And that is how we look at this particular project as well.

Yeshi, again on Russian oil, I've said, you know, Foreign Secretary has made an elaborate statement. Please do look at that. That will give you an idea of what our approach is. I've also spoken from this podium on several occasions and otherwise also, what remains our approach to energy sourcing. On your question regarding numerical value and what were the imports from Russia earlier, these are details that are available in the public domain. So, please do have a look. They are available on several websites also. So you can have a look and get those details.

Sanjeev Trivedi, News24:Sir main Sanjeev Trivedi hoon News24 se. Aapne sir pehle bhi is prashn ka jawab diya hai. Hamare naavik Iran mein fase hue hain aur wo giraftar hain. Toh is baare mein kya koi consular access aapko mil paya hai aur agar nahi mil paya hai toh ye jo prolonged deri ho rahi hai iski kya wajah hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Sir, I am Sanjeev Trivedi from News24. You have already answered this question earlier as well. Our sailors are stuck in Iran and they are under arrest. So regarding this, have you been able to get any consular access? And if not, what is the reason for this prolonged delay?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:Nahi, consular access mil paya hai. Hum log jaa kar un sabhi logon se mil paaye hain. Us solah logon mein se aath logon ko chhod diya gaya hai. Wo aath logon ko wapas laane ke liye prakriya chal rahi thi. Shayad, main poore daave ke saath nahi keh sakta hoon, lekin mera ye maan-na hai aur mujhe bataya gaya tha ki wo kal shayad Bharat pahunch gaye hain. Kal shayad Bharat pahunch gaye hain ya aaj pahunchne waale hain. Toh ye doori hai unke aane ki khabar mein. Aur jo aath log jiske baare mein baat kar rahe hain aap log … solah mein se aath log jo bache hue hain unke baare mein hamare Bhartiya dootavas wahan par, wahan ki sarkar se baat kar rahi hai. Kis prakar se unko madad kiya jaye, kis prakar se unki dekhrekh kiya jaye aur kaise unka masla ko suljhaya jaye.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]No, consular access has been obtained. We have been able to go and meet all those individuals. Out of the sixteen people, eight have been released. The process to bring those eight back was underway. I cannot say this with complete certainty, but my understanding-and what I was informed-is that they may have reached India yesterday. Either they arrived yesterday or they are expected to arrive today. And regarding the remaining eight people you are talking about-those who are still left out of the sixteen-our Indian Embassy there is in touch with the local government. They are discussing how to assist them, how to ensure their well-being, and how to resolve their matter.

With that let's come to the close of this press briefing. Thank you very much for your attention.

New Delhi
February 12, 2026