Morning Digest: Jaishankar denies India has lost ‘strategic autonomy’; four new astronauts arrive at ISS to replace NASA’s evacuated crew, and more

Jaishankar denies India has lost ‘strategic autonomy’

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday (February 14, 2026) denied that India’s strategic autonomy had been impacted because of claims that it was reducing the amount of Russian oil in its energy import mix due to the recent trade agreement with the United States.

Four new astronauts arrive at International Space Station to replace NASA’s evacuated crew

The International Space Station returned to full strength with the arrival of four new astronauts to replace colleagues who bailed early because of health concerns. SpaceX delivered the U.S., French and Russian astronauts on Saturday (February 14, 2026), a day after launching them from Cape Canaveral.

‘National interest’ will guide BNP on Ganga Water Treaty renewal: BNP chair’s foreign affairs adviser