WEDNESDAY 04 SEPTEMBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR P4 SENSEX 82,555.44q4.41 WEATHER GENERALLY CLOUDY SKY. LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN/THUNDERSHOWERS. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 35 AND 26 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 91 % TEMPERATURE P9 ` vs $ 83.95 GOLD 73,645.00 PM Modi arrives in Brunei on 2-day visit Mr Modi will hold talks with the Sultan on the India-Brunei relationship STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 3 SEPTEMBER Min. 57 % Max: 36.2 °C (+2) SUN RISES 06:01 hrs MOON RISES 07:46 hrs P10 NIFTY 25,279.85p1.15 Min: 29.9 °C (+1) SUN SETS 18:39 hrs MOON SETS 19:23 hrs THUMBNAILS Devotees perform during the 'Kali and Pili Marbat' procession as part of Pola festival celebrations, in Nagpur on Tuesday. n ANI Netflix updates web series disclaimer After the Netflix series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' triggered a row on social media over the names of the hijackers in the series, Netflix has updated its disclaimer to include the real and code names of the hijackers involved in the December 1999 incident. It also clarified that the (Hindusounding) code names in the series reflect those used during the actual event. P rime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan, the Capital of Brunei on an official visit on Tuesday at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. This is the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei. The historic visit of the Prime Minister coincides with the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei. The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome on arrival and warmly received by Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Crown Prince and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei. Indians in Brunei, accompanied by their children carrying drawings of Mr Modi’s pictures, gave a heartwarming welcome to the Prime Minister at his hotel, shouting “suswagatam” (welcome) amid the beating of a “dhol.” Children chanted “Modi, Modi” as he signed Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being received by Brunei Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah upon his arrival on Tuesday. This is the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian PM and comes as the two countries celebrate 40 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties. n ANI the drawings for them. After inaugurating a new chancery of the Indian High Commission of India and visiting an iconic mosque built by the father of the Sultan of Brunei, Mr Modi will hold talks with the Sultan tomorrow on the way forward for the India-Brunei relationship. Brunei is an important partner in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy and IndoPacific Vision. India and Brunei enjoy a friendly relationship which is marked by mutual respect and understanding on bilateral and multilateral JAVELIN THROWER SUMIT ANTIL WINS HISTORIC GOLD MEDAL NETANYAHU PUSHES BACK AGAINST NEW PRESSURE OVER GAZA ‘CHASE EXCELLENCE & SUCCESS WILL FOLLOW’ ‘WILL ABIDE BY HIGH COMMAND’S DECISION’ issues. The two countries are linked by history, culture and tradition spanning a millennium. Mr Modi will be in Brunei Darussalam during 3-4 September. Earlier, as he embarked on a threeday visit to Brunei and Singapore, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that his visits would further strengthen India’s partnership with the two countries and the larger ASEAN region. In a departure statement, he said “As we celebrate the 40 years of our diplomatic relations, I look forward to my meet- ings with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other esteemed members of the Royal family to advance our historical relationship to new heights.” Mr Modi said: “From Brunei, I will travel to Singapore on 4 September. I look forward to the opportunity to meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. I will also meet with leaders of Singapore's vibrant business community.” The Prime Minister said: “I look forward to my discussions to deepen our Strategic Partnership with Singapore, particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalisation, and sustainable development.” “Both countries are important partners in our Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific Vision. I am confident that my visits would further strengthen our partnership with Brunei, Singapore and the larger ASEAN region,” the Prime Minister said. SILVER 86,000 P12 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 74.08q2.16 West Bengal Legislative Assembly passes stringent anti-rape Bill STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 3 SEPTEMBER The West Bengal Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024’, providing for a mandatory death penalty for the crime of rape and murder, on Tuesday. The Bill seeks to make amendments in the existing provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 to provide for enhanced punishment and shorter timelines for investigation and trial relating to the crimes of rape or rape and murder. The Mamata Banerjee government tabled the Bill amid the nationwide protests against the rape and murder of a woman doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, participating in the debate on the Bill, said it was being brought in to secure the dignity of women. She said that it “was a matter of shame that the Prime Minister could not do what her government did”. Since the Prime Minister could not take any initiative in protecting women in the country, Miss Banerjee said, he should resign and the Union Home Minister should also resign. She was responding after BJP legislators raised slogans in the Assembly demanding her resignation over the RG Kar rape-and-murder incident. “Let the Prime Minister first put in his papers,” she said, citing burgeoning cases of rape all over the country and the way perpetrators are let off the hook in BJP-ruled states despite committing heinous crimes. Miss Banerjee said: “Rape is a crime against humanity. We want exemplary punishment for the perpetrators through speedy trial. To ensure that this new Bill had been tabled.” “Some are saying that we can’t bring in new legislation. We are telling them that the Constitution has given us the right to legislate a new law. Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, have already passed such Bills, she said. She said that the Governor should promptly clear the bill from his end so that it could be sent to the office of the President for final clearance there. “Thereafter enforcing and making that effective will be our responsibility. So I am requesting the leader of the Opposition in the House to tell the Governor to clear the Bill at the earliest,” the Chief Minister said. She said: “The three significant purposes of the Bill are stringent punishment swift investigation and speedy justice. We have brought in the amendments to plug the holes in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).” She also observed: “Bengal was not consulted before passing BNS, we wanted discussions on it after new govt formation.” While speaking about the RG Kar incident, she said: "On the 12th, I visited the family of the victim. I told the family that today is Monday, give me time till Sunday. If we cannot arrest all the accused, then the case would be transferred to CBI, and they agreed. Police took 12 hours to arrest the main accused. A cybercrime team was formed. We had also directed fast track court to give the verdict but the case was transferred to CBI. Now we want justice from CBI. We have been seeking capital punishment since the beginning,” she said. Singapore has central role to play in India’s ‘Act East’ policy: Jaishankar Nine LWE killed DAC approves acquisition proposals worth in Chhattisgarh `1.45 lakh cr to enhance defence preparedness encounter STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 3 SEPTEMBER RAIPUR, 3 SEPTEMBER NEW DELHI, 3 SEPTEMBER Nine Left-wing extremist (LWE) insurgents were killed in a fierce encounter on the Dantewada-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. The operation, conducted in the dense forests of Bailadila within Kirandul police station limits, also led to the seizure of several weapons, including SLR rifles, 0.303 and 0.315 bore rifles, and explosives. The encounter lasted over 13 hours. All security personnel involved in the operation are reported to be safe. Officials expect to provide more detailed information once the forces return from the field. Dantewada Superintendent of Police, Gaurav Rai, said that intelligence had indicated the presence of Maoist operatives from the West Bastar Division in the Purangel and Loha villages at the base of the Bailadila hills. SNS (See Page 5) The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Tuesday accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for ten capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 1,44,716 crore. Of the total, 99 per cent is from indigenous sources under Buy (Indian) and Buy (lndian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) categories. For modernisation of the tank fleet of the Indian Army, the proposal for procurement of Future Ready Combat Vehi- Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that the Southeast Asian island nation has a central role to play in India's 'Act East' policy. “Singapore, which was at the core of our Look East policy, has an equally central role in the Act East policy as well. If you look at the new domains that reflect this evolution, Singapore's partnership in security, connectivity, technology, and sustainability is evident," he said in an interview with Singapore-based The Strait Times. "The Act East policy is certainly very active for a variety of reasons. Southeast Asia itself has much untapped potential. Its demographics and growth prospects make it a long-term partner," Mr Jaishankar said. Outlining an example, he said: "Imagine, for example, what a change the Trilateral Highway (planned to connect India with Myanmar and Thailand) can make when completed. It is also a relationship that is indispensable for India's Indo-Pacific engagement. I would confidently predict a bright future.” The minister also highlighted the significant progress made in India's relationship with Gulf nations over the past decade. Unlike in the past under previous governments, the policies under the Modi government have extended to include investments, technology, security, and connectivity with Gulf countries, he said. When it was pointed out that there is a perception that India's principal focus in its extended neighbourhood is now the Gulf, not ASEAN, he said: “I would not take an either/or approach. Certainly, in the last decade, India's ties with Gulf nations have really taken off. Earlier governments used to view them more narrowly from the perspective of trade, energy and diaspora. In contrast, the Modi government's policies have extended to investments, technology, security and connectivity.” Mr Jaishankar also noted that India feels that the contributions of the Indian community are more acknowledged in the Gulf. “We definitely feel that the contributions of our community are more strongly recognised (in the Gulf). Both the economic and demographic complementarities are today coming into much greater play. But because of this, I would not draw any conclusions in regard to ASEAN. Our ties have deepened as well in this very period.” He said that India being the fifth largest economy will necessarily have multi-directional engagements. He said: “The fact is that India - as the most populous country and currently the fifth-largest economy - will necessarily have multi-directional engagements. The world is not a zero-sum game for us.” STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE World Bank raises India’s growth forecast to 7 pc, up from 6.6 pc STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE This revision comes amid expectations of stronger economic performance, driven by key factors such as private consumption and investment. NEW DELHI, 3 SEPTEMBER The World Bank raised growth forecast for India's economy to 7 per cent for the current financial year, up from an earlier projection of 6.6 per cent. This revision comes amid expectations of stronger economic performance, driven by key factors such as private consumption and investment. As per the World Bank report, while the economy remains resilient, achieving the ambitious goal of $1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030 will require strategic diversification and deeper integration into global value chains. It expects a gradual increase in private investment and a recovery in consumption. Meanwhile, it pointed out that job creation remains the main challenge to India's economic growth. The World Bank said the urban unemployment rate remains high at an average of 17 per cent. Despite global economic uncertainties, India’s growth prospects continue to be resilient. As per the World Bank’s latest India Development Update (IDU), the country's economy has maintained strength, driven by factors such as improved monsoon conditions and a recovery in private consumption. Ran Li, a senior economist at the World Bank, highlighted that these factors have contributed to an upward revision of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) forecast. “India's robust growth prospects, along with declining inflation, will contribute to reducing extreme poverty,” said Auguste Tano Kouame, the World Bank's country director in India. “To further accelerate growth, India needs to harness its global trade potential. Beyond its strengths in IT, business services, and pharmaceuticals, India should diversify its export basket by expanding in sectors such as textiles, apparel, footwear, electronics, and green technology products,” Mr Kouame said. The World Bank report said India's external economic indicators have shown improvement. The current account deficit has narrowed, and foreign exchange reserves reached an unprecedented high of $670.1 billion in early August, equivalent to over 11 months of import cover. These positive trends reflect India's growing economic stability, even as it navigates a complex global environment. Further, the World Bank projects India's mediumterm economic outlook will remain positive, with growth expected to reach 7% in FY25 and maintain strength in subsequent years. Fiscal consolidation efforts and robust revenue growth are expected to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio from 83.9 per cent in FY24 to 82 per cent by FY27. The current account deficit is forecast to remain between 1 per cent and 1.6 per cent of GDP through FY27. cles (FRCVs) has been cleared. The FRCV will be a futuristic Main Battle Tank with superior mobility, all-terrain ability, multilayered protections, precision and lethal firepower and real-time situational awareness. The AoN was also accorded for procurement of Air Defence Fire Control Radars, which will detect & track aerial target and provide firing solution. The proposal has also been approved for Forward Repair Team (Tracked) which has suitable cross country mobility for carrying out in-situ repair during mechanised operations. This equipment is designed & developed by Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited, and is authorised for both mechanised infantry battalions and armoured regiments. Three AoNs have been accorded to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).