www.thestatesman.com | FOLLOW US: India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | @TheStatesmanLtd Pages 20 | 8th Day @thestatesmanltd ` 5.00 | People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | Evolve | LUCKNOW STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 14 February P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a blistering attack on the Congress, accusing the opposition party of “neglecting” the North-East and attempting to destabilise Assam by promoting insurgency for political gains. Addressing a rally in the poll-bound state, PM Modi alleged that while the Congress treated the Pannun assassination plot: Indian national faces 40 years in jail New York: Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who pleaded guilty in a Manhattan court to an alleged plot to assassinate Sikh separatist leader and American citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, faces 40 years in jail. However, the US government has recommended a sen tence of 21 to 24 years. The formal sentencing of Gupta (54), is scheduled for 29 May 2026, before US District Judge Victor Marrero. Earlier, Gupta admitted to charges of murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy in the case. Prosecutors allege Gupta was directed by an Indian government official to carry out the killing. India has denied having anything to do with the alleged plot. Page 9 North-East as a burden, the BJP considers the region as ‘Ashtalakshmi’. Congress leaders have “lost their sleep” due to his growing popularity and the BJP’s expanding support base in Assam, he said in the rally in Guwahati. He also warned voters that the Congress, “desperate after being out of power for 10 years, wants to push Assam back into instability”. The Congress is “more dangerous out of power than when it was in power, and this is evident from the venomous statements made by its leaders,” he said. The next five years are crucial, and only a strong double-engine BJP government can ensure fast-paced development for Assam, the PM said. “The Congress indulged in polarisation and votebank politics, and took decisions that promoted these,” he said, accusing the principal opposition party in Assam of protecting infiltrators. The BJP is “committed to ending illegal immigration, and therefore the next five years are very important for the state”, he said. The Prime Minister inaugurated several projects in Assam, including a bridge over the Brahmaputra River. Rolled out ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, the projects aim to boost connectivity, strengthen digital infrastructure, promote higher education and enhance public transport. West Indies v Nepal USA v Namibia India v Pakistan TRIDIB BAPARNASH New Delhi, 14 February The build-up has been dramatic, the anticipation relentless. After weeks of uncertainty triggered by off-field theatrics in Pakistan, the marquee clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is finally upon us as arch-rivals India and Pakistan prepare to face off Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated several infrastructure projects in Assam, including a bridge over the Brahmaputra, the Indian Institute of Management, Guwahati and a National Data Centre. He also inaugurated north-east India’s first highway-based emergency landing facility, flying in on an IAF aircraft that landed on the DibrugarhMoran Highway 2. Page 7 ‘Dhaka’s foreign policy will prioritise national interest, people’s welfare’ UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Dhaka, 14 February Bangladesh's incoming Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, said on Saturday that his government’s foreign policy, including in dealings with India, will prioritise the nation's interests and the people’s welfare, stating “people come first.” Speaking at a news conference here at a hotel, Mr Rahman, the chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, set out an ambitious agenda in his first public remarks since his party's landslide victory in elections held earlier this week. He described the challenges ahead as "very serious," pointing to inflation which has been above 8 per cent for several months, weak growth with GDP expected to expand by a lowly 4 per cent, and eroded public trust in state institutions. “We have very serious challenges to face…tackle the economy of the country, (and) to ensure good governance,” he said. His party won some 213 seats in an election, to a Parliament with 300 seats, which saw lower-than-usual voting, after a boycott call by the Awami League which had been banned from fielding candidates for the elections and fears of violence during the polls. Mr Rahman said his administration would pursue a foreign policy rooted in national interest, particularly in its dealings with China, India and Pakistan. “We will Defending champs India look to extend dominance over unpredictable Pakistan Today’s Matches PM inaugurates `3,000 cr bridge, IIM Guwahati and key projects: at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. With a looming threat of rain and global eyeballs locked in, this promises to be the most watched group-stage encounter of the tournament. Both sides enter the contest with four points from two matches, having defeated Associate opponents. However, defending champions India sit atop Group A courtesy of a vastly superior net run rate of 3.050 compared to Pakistan’s 0.932. The numbers reflect not just the results, but differing levels of dominance. India have held the upper hand in T20 World Cups, winning seven of the eight meetings between the two sides. Pakistan’s lone victory came in 2021, but overall the head-to-head narrative heavily favours the Men in Blue. India arrive in Colombo brimming with confidence. A 29-run win over the USA in their campaign opener in Mumbai, powered by a Suryakumar Yadav masterclass, was followed by a crushing 93-run victory against Namibia. India’s momentum: • Turn to Page 19 try to protect the interests of the people of Bangladesh,” he said. “If something is not in Bangladesh's interest, naturally we cannot pursue it. I am certain that mutual interests will be our first priority.” On the Belt and Road Initiative, he added: “If it benefits Bangladesh and supports the economy, we will make a decision.” Mr Rahman also expressed support for reviving the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, known as SAARC, which was founded at Bangladesh’s initiative but has remained largely dormant amid regional tensions. Asked whether his government would seek the extradition of former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, from India, Mr Rahman said that issue would depend on legal procedures. • Related report: Page 17 SILIGURI | 15 February 2026 Abhishek set to return to action against Pakistan, confirms SKY Page 20 Congress ‘neglected’, ‘destabilised’ Assam: PM | S P O RT S Day of love: A family story Legends of the Lord on Maha Shiv Ratri BHUBANESWAR
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