ADAPTIVE REUSE OF HERITAGE PROPERTIES 03 NOVEMBER 2024 LETTER FROM NEW YORK MUMBAI TEST: JADEJA, ASHWIN BOOST INDIA WITH LATE CHARGE www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 PAGE 16 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 PAGES 20 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR Mainly clear sky. Mist in the morning. Maximum and Minimum Temperature most likely to be around 31˚C and 24˚C respectively. Ottawa’s charges against Shah baseless, absurd: Govt RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY ASHOK TUTEJA Max. 90 % Min. 44 % NEW DELHI, 2 NOVEMBER Min: 24.6˚C (+2.0) SUN SETS 16:57 hrs MOON SETS 18:00 hrs I WEATHER New Delhi has lodged strong protest, such actions will have serious consequences, says MEA INDIA-CANADA COLD WAR TEMPERATURE Max: 31.6˚C (+0.3) SUN RISES 05:42 hrs MOON RISES 07:07 hrs Full Moon on 16 November THUMBNAILS Workers spray chemicals to dissolve the toxic foam accumulating along the Yamuna River near Kalindi Kunj, in the capital on Saturday. n SNS UK Conservatives pick Kemi Badenoch as new leader: Britain’s Conservative Party on Saturday elected Kemi Badenoch as its new leader as it tries to rebound from a crushing election defeat that ended 14 years in power. The first Black woman to lead a major British political party, Badenoch defeated rival lawmaker Robert Jenrick in a vote of almost 100,000 members of the Conservative Party. (Page 10) ndia has lodged a strong protest with Canada over the ‘absurd and baseless’ allegation made by Ottawa that Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered a campaign of violence, intimidation and intelligence-gathering targeting Sikh separatists in Canada, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Saturday. At a media briefing here, he said: “Regarding the latest Canadian target, we summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission yesterday. A diplomatic note was handed over in reference to the proceedings of the (Canadian) Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in Ottawa on October 29, 2024. It was conveyed in the note that the Government of India protests in the strongest terms to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister of India before the Committee by Deputy Minister David Morrison.” Mr Jaiswal said that the revelation that high Canadian officials deliberately leak unfounded insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other nations only confirms the 8Top Canadian government officials had claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered a ‘campaign of violence, intimidation and intelligence­gathering’ targeting Sikh separatists in Canada. This was stated by Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison to the Canadian Parliament’s national security committee. Mr Morrison also admitted to naming Mr Shah to The Washington Post in relation to the allegations. 8New Delhi on Friday summoned representatives of the Canadian High Commission and handed over a diplomatic note protesting in the strongest terms the absurd and baseless references made to Mr Shah by Mr Morrison. 8An MEA spokesperson said that India has also lodged a formal protest with Ottawa after revelations that its consular officials in Canada were subjected to audio and video surveillance. 8 On Canada labelling India as an ‘adversary’ in its National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025­26, the spokesperson said this appears to be another strategy by Canada to attack India. view that the Government of India has long held about the current Canadian government's political agenda and behavioural pattern. “Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties,” he added. About Canada’s New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh's statement his party will seek “official recognition” of the ‘1984 Sikh genocide’ in the country’s Parliament, the spokesperson said the promotion of extremism and violence by Ottawa has been a core concern for India. India, he said, hopes Canada will take appropriate action in the matter. On Canada labelling India as an “adversary” in its National Cyber Threat Assessment 20252026, Mr Jaiswal said this appears to be part of another strategy by Ottawa to attack India. He noted that senior Canadian officials Army begins verification patrolling at Depsang: MEA STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 2 NOVEMBER The Indian Army has commenced verification patrolling at Depsang, the second friction point between India and China in eastern Ladakh, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Patrolling at Demchok had begun on Friday, a day after the Indian and Chinese troops completed disengagement at the two friction points in eastern Ladakh. At a media briefing here on saturday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that following the disengagement agreement with China, the verification patrolling has begun on mutually agreed terms in both Demchok and Depsang. “On October 21, 2024, the last phase of disengagement was agreed upon between India andChina.Asaresult,verification patrolling has commenced on mutually agreed terms in Demchok and Depsang. We will keep you updated," the spokesperson added. On Thursday, Indian and Chinese troops also exchanged sweets at several border points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the occasion of Diwali. The traditional practice was observed a day after both countries completed troop disengagement at the two friction points, bringing a fresh thaw in Sino-Indian ties. ‘Modi Ki Guarantee a cruel joke on 140 cr Indians’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 2 NOVEMBER A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congresspartyofmaking“false promises”whichitwasunable to deliver, Congress President MallikrajunKhargeonSaturday said “lies, deceit, fakery, loot & publicity”arethefiveadjectives which best describe the Modi government. In a post on microblogging platform 'X' , he said: “Modi ji, before finger-pointing, please note that - MODI KI GUARANTEE is a cruel joke on 140 Crore Indians!” The Congress chief said the government's drumbeating regarding a 100-day plan was a cheap PR stunt. Hesaidthe'B'inBJPstands for Betrayal, while the 'J' stands for JUMLA. He wondered whathappenedtothepromise of two crore jobs per year. “WhyisIndia'sunemployment rate at a 45-year high? Why are stampedes witnessed wherever there are vacancies for a handful of jobs? Who is responsible for 70 paper leaks in 7 years? Who snatched 5 Lakh Govt jobs by selling stake in PSUs?” he asked. Referring to inflation, he asked why household savings have plunged to a 50-year low. “Why has the cost of a common thali increased by 52% in just last year? TOP — Tomato Prices increased by 247%, Potato by 180% and Onion by 60%? Who levied GST on essential food items such as Milk, Curd, Atta, Dal? Who is penalising Middle Class through LTCG by indulging in Tax Terrorism?” have gone on record to say that they are manipulating global opinion against India. He also stated that some Indian Consular officials were recently told by the Canadian government that they have been and continue to be under audio and video surveillance. Their communications have also been intercepted. “We have formally protested to the Canadian Government as we deem these actions to be a flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions.” “Our diplomatic and consular personnel are already functioning in an environment of extremism and violence. This action of the Canadian Government aggravates the situation and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices,” he added. Regarding reports about the cancellation of Diwali celebrations at Canada's Parliament Hill in the wake of the diplomatic row between the countries, he said: “It is unfortunate that the prevailing atmosphere in Canada has reached high levels of intolerance and extremism.” On the reduction in the number of visas by the Canadian government, Mr Jaiswal said: “We are monitoring the well-being of our students and professionals who are working in Canada. Our concern for their safety and security remains strong.” US-sanctioned firms did not violate national law: MEA STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 2 NOVEMBER Reacting to the recent U.S. sanctions on 19 Indian entities and two Indian nationals for helping Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine, India on Saturday asserted that Indian companies have not violated any national law. “We have seen reports on U.S. sanctions. India has a robust legal and regulatory framework on strategic trade and non-proliferation controls. We are also a member of three key multilateral non- proliferation export control regimes - the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Australia Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime, and have been effectively implementing relevant UNSC sanctions and UNSC resolution 1540 on non- proliferation,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal pointed out at a media briefing here. “Our understanding is that the sanctioned transactions and companies are not in violation of Indian laws. Nevertheless, in keeping with India's established non-proliferation credentials, we are working with all the relevant Indian departments and agencies to sensitise Indian com- 8Earlier, Washington had announced sweeping sanc­ tions on around 400 entities and individuals globally, including 19 from India, for their alleged roles in ‘supporting Russia's ongo­ ing war’ against Ukraine. panies on applicable export control provisions, as well as inform them on new measures being implemented that could impact Indian companies in certain circumstances,” Mr Jaiswal told reporters. “Regular strategic trade/export control outreach events for Indian industries and stakeholders are being carried out by agencies of the Government of India. We are also in touch with the US authorities to clarify issues.” the spokesperson said. Earlier, Washington had announced sweeping sanctions on around 400 entities and individuals globally, including 19 from India, for their alleged roles in "supporting Russia's ongoing war" against Ukraine. The sanctions aim to disrupt Russia's ability to procure key technologies and components from third-party countries.