WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 16 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR KHARGE WRITES TO PRESIDENT MURMU ON MANIPUR CRISIS DOGE FOR INDIA P8 SENSEX 77,578.38p239.38 WEATHER SMOG/MODERATE TO DENSE FOG IS LIKELY IN THE MORNING. MAINLY CLEAR SKY. SMOG/SHALLOW FOG IS LIKELY IN THE EVENING/NIGHT. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 25 AND 12 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 100 % TEMPERATURE P10 NIFTY 23,518.50p64.70 Min: 12.3 °C (0) SUN SETS 17:26 hrs MOON SETS 11:59 hrs THUMBNAILS Migratory birds seen at the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary in Morigaon on Monday. n ANI Political row erupts over BJP's Vinod Tawde cash distribution row: A huge political row erupted on Tuesday when the Congress accused BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde of arriving with Rs 5 crore cash to distribute to their candidate Rajan Naik. The incident occurred in Mumbai’s Virar East as Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) members, led by their leader Hitendra Thakur, confronted Tawde. (Page 10) ` vs $ 84.43 GOLD 78,190.00 P16 SILVER 1,01,000 PM Modi and Starmer resolve to resume India-UK FTA talks soon They reaffirmed commitment to strengthening India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 73.00q0.30 Russian Prez Putin to visit India, dates being finalised: Kremlin press secretary AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 19 NOVEMBER Modi, Meloni announce 5-yr strategic action plan I n his first meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the importance of addressing the issue of economic offenders from India in the UK as the two leaders underlined the importance of resuming the Free Trade Agreement negotiations between their two nations at an early date. They expressed confidence in the ability of the negotiating teams, to address the remaining issues to mutual satisfaction, leading to a balanced, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking pact. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Ministry of External Affairs said Mr Modi congratulated Sir Keir on his assuming office. PM Starmer also extended warm wishes to Mr Modi on his historic third term in office. Expressing satisfaction STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 NOVEMBER Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the 19th G-20 summit, in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. n ANI at the progress in the bilateral relationship, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with a focus on economy, trade, new and emerging technologies, research and innovation, green finance, and people-topeople contacts. They exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including on international and regional issues of significance. Recognising the ample opportunities for further engagement between the two sides in the light of growing bilateral economic and business relations and with a view to better serve the consular requirements of the Indian community in the UK, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of two new Consulates General of India in the UK in Belfast and Manchester. PM Starmer welcomed the announcement. Aware of the unparalleled potential of the strategic partnership between their two countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni during their meeting at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on the margins of the G20 Summit decided to give it further impetus through focused, time-bound initiatives and a Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29. This was the fifth meeting between the two leaders in the last two years. The action plan outlines their vision for the next five years. It will pursue joint collaborations, programmes and initiatives in key sectors of trade and investment, science and technology, new and emerging technologies, clean energy, space, defence, connectivity and Stage set for face off between NDA, INDIA bloc in J'khand, Maha polls SANTU DAS NEW DELHI, 19 NOVEMBER The stage is set for another round of the electoral battle between the BJP-led NDA and Opposition's INDIA bloc in the second and final phase of voting in 38 Assembly constituencies in Jharkhand, and single phase polling in 288 seats in Maharashtra, on Wednesday. The voting is scheduled to commence at 7 a.m. in 14,218 polling stations across the 38 Assembly seats in Jharkhand, and in 1,00,186 polling stations in 288 constituencies in Maharashtra, amid tight security. In Jharkhand, a total of 528 candidates are in the fray whose fates would be decided by 1.23 crore voters. Out of these, the total number of women candidates are 55. The prestige of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana Soren are at stake in the final phase of voting in the mineral-rich state. Prominent among the candidates include former Jharkhand chief minister and state BJP chief Babulal Maran- ‘DON'T WRITE OFF CHAMPIONS’ P2 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 NOVEMBER Min. 46 % Max: 25.4 °C (-2) SUN RISES 06:49 hrs MOON RISES 21:43 hrs ‘SHOULD DELHI REMAIN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL?’ people-to-people linkages. The two sides will hold regular ministerial and official dialogues across numerous domains. coproduction, collaborations between respective industries and institutions, innovation and mobility would provide momentum and further depth to the bilateral partnership and benefit the economies and people of both countries. The two leaders looked forward to continuing their dialogue and work together on multilateral and global platforms for upholding their shared values of democracy, rule of law and sustainable development. Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India and the dates for his trip are being finalised, the Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday. Addressing via video conferencing an event in New Delhi organised by Sputnik news outlet, Mr Peskov said: "we hope soon, very soon. We are looking forward to it we will figure out the dates of President Putin to India." This will be the first visit of Mr Putin to India since the beginning of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia around three years ago. The Kremlin spokesperson said that Russian President Putin welcomed the IndiaChina talks on border deescalation, but categorically said that Russia has not played a role in this. Mr Putin also welcomed India's mediatory role in the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the Russian official said. “We value efforts from Indian prime minister and he (President Putin) is really thankful to Prime Minister. and is open for anyone able to contribute and forth" Mr Peskov said. “We don't have any specific plans... But we know that Mr Modi has a very special and pragmatic relationship with President Putin and he is also in contact with the Ukrainian side, so he is able to receive first-hand information... This is very important because it gives Prime Minister Modi the possibility to evaluate the situation objectively..."Mr Peskov said. Responding to a question on ties between India and China at today's media event in New Delhi, Mr Peskov said: “We do value our relationship, both with India and China...No one, no one would interfere in that ...America shouldn't do it. That is our understanding among most of all over the world. Regional countries are supposed to solve their problems.” “We will continue to to develop our relationship, both with India and China, and well actually a couple of weeks ago in Kazan. President Putin had a privilege of welcoming his two good friends" the Kremlin official said. Jaishankar discusses Ladakh de-escalation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 NOVEMBER di, Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Amar Kumar Bauri and All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) president Sudesh Mahto. Jharkhand is seeing a direct contest between the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress led alliance and the BJP-led NDA in the Assembly polls. It may be mentioned that in the first phase held on 13 November in 43 Assembly seats, the voter turnout was 66.65 per cent. In the 2019 Assembly polls, the JMM won 30 seats, Congress 16 and BJP 25 constituencies. In Maharashtra, the fates of 4,136 candidates would be decided by 9.70 crore voters. Of these, there are 363 women candidates. Notably, the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP-led Mahayuti Mahayuti alliance are contesting the elections together against the Congress, Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) and NCPSharadchandra Pawar (NCPSCP) alliance, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The recent de-escalation in eastern Ladakh was in focus as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the margins of the G20 Summit in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro. The two leaders noted the progress made in ending the prolonged military stand-off between their two countries since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Kazan in Russia on the margins of the BRICS Summit last month. "On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio, met CPC Politburo member and FM Wang Yi of China," Mr Jaishankar wrote in a social media post on X. He said the two leaders "noted the progress in the recent disengagement in the India-China border areas". Mr Jaishankar also said that India and China exchanged views on the next steps in the bilateral ties and had discussions on the global situation. Mr Wang is learnt to have suggested the resumption of direct flights between India and China, a move that, he said, would boost peopleto-people exchanges and trade. He also sought further cooperation in facilitating visa processes and journalist exchanges. The Chinese leader also talked of the need for "more mutual trust and less suspicion" between the two nations. Mr Jaishankar said the contribution by India and China at the BRICS and G20 Summits was notable in shaping the outcomes and also reminding the world of the importance of the two countries in international politics. ''It was also an equally significant testimony of why our bilateral relations are more important. In Kazan, our leaders reached a consensus in taking the next steps in our relations bearing in mind the understanding of 21st October,'' he said. He expressed satisfaction that the implementation of the understanding reached between their top leaders has proceeded as planned on the ground. Delhi minister writes to Centre, requests NOC for cloud seeding ‘Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more’: AGENCIES Pollution levels have reached the 'severe plus' category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting a critical 494. NEW DELHI, 19 NOVEMBER Amid worsening air quality in Delhi, Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday urged the Centre to intervene and approve artificial rain through cloud seeding as an emergency measure to combat the severe pollution crisis in the national capital. In a letter addressed to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Rai called for an urgent meeting and immediate approval for cloud seeding operations. Pollution levels have reached the 'severe plus' category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting a critical 494. Despite implementing the strictest measures under the Graded Response Action Plan Stage IV, several monitoring stations have recorded AQI levels of 500, indicating a severe-plus situation. Mr Rai's appeal came a day after the Supreme Court directed authorities not to ease GRAP Stage IV restrictions, even if AQI levels drop below 450, citing the need for sustained measures. “The nation wants to know why the BJP-led central government cannot convene a meeting. Is it so irresponsible that they won't even discuss solutions, let alone act? It's unfortunate that despite repeat- ed requests, there has been no response,” Mr Rai told IANS news agency. He said that multiple letters had been sent to the Centre requesting a discussion on artificial rain, with no reply. He stressed the dire consequences of the current smog conditions, particularly on vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly. “The situation of air medical emergency is not just for Delhi but for all of North India. Elderly people are struggling to breathe, and children are experiencing long-term negative health impacts, yet the BJP government remains inactive and indifferent,” he added. “The smog conditions currently affecting the national capital need to be addressed urgently through emergency measures. I believe that the BJP government will take action soon. If the Union Environment Minister does not respond, I urge the Prime Minister to intervene," Rai added. Mr Rai also criticised the BJP for distributing masks in Delhi while remaining inactive in addressing the root cause of the pollution crisis, stating, “Their ministers won't even hold a single meeting, yet they are distributing masks in protest.” “I urge BJP members to stop this drama and instead press their government to convene a meeting. If the Union Environment Minister is unwilling to act, he should at least distribute masks himself,” Mr Rai said. The Delhi government, Rai assured, is exploring every possible solution and consulting experts to address the crisis. "We are monitoring all aspects and will take whatever steps are necessary," he concluded. As pollution levels in Delhi remain in the severe category, the need for coordinated efforts between the central and state governments has become increasingly urgent. (See also P2) Federer’s emotional letter for retiring Nadal AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 19 NOVEMBER Swiss tennis great Roger Federer wrote an emotional letter for his close friend Rafael Nadal as the Spaniard tennis ace is set to bid adieu to the sport. Nadal, known for his dominance on the clay courts of Roland Garros, is set to retire after the Davis Cup drawing curtains to his remarkable career, which saw him win 22 Grand Slam titles. The Spaniard will be the second of the 'Big Three' of tennis to hang up his racket, next to fellow legend Federer, who retired in 2022. Federer and Nadal forged the most celebrated rivalry in sports history, amassing a staggering 42 Grand Slam titles between them. While Federer has a record eight Wimbledon titles on grass, Nadal has an incredible 14 French Open titles on clay, which has also earned him the nickname ‘King of Clay’, a record that may never be broken. "As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional. Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me reimagine my game—even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge," Federer wrote in a letter he shared on social media. "I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique— it was so you. "And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.