FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | SPORTS EDITORIAL Unsafe plates NATION WORLD Nabin steps up attack on K’taka govt, calls for WB-style agitation Suspect shot dead in firing incident near White House Page 8 Page 6 Fresh momentum in ties: Rubio says India-US trade deal soon New Delhi, 24 May I ndia and the United States on Sunday signalled fresh “momentum” in their expanding strategic partnership, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing confidence that the two sides would conclude a bilateral trade agreement “soon”, while External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar underscored New Delhi’s policy of maintaining strong ties across multiple global power centres. Following wide-ranging talks in New Delhi, the two leaders highlighted growing cooperation in trade, defence, energy, critical minerals, technology, and counterterrorism, reflecting the broadening scope of a relationship that both sides described as increasingly consequential for regional and global stability. “We hope to seal a trade agreement with India soon,” Mr Rubio said, while reaffirming that India remains one of America’s most important strategic partners and a key actor in addressing major international challenges. Mr Jaishankar, meanwhile, said India’s foreign policy is guided by a doctrine of “multialignment”, enabling it to pursue strong partnerships with the USA, Europe, Russia, West Asia, and other stakeholders without viewing global affairs through a zero-sum lens. Both countries have pushed in more efforts to deepen BJP sweeps Falta repoll by 1.09 lakh votes, TMC in fourth place STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 24 May The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registered a landslide victory in the Falta Assembly repoll on Sunday, defeating its nearest rival by 1,09,021 votes votes in a contest marked by the conspicuous absence of the Trinamul Congress (TMC) from the field. With this, the BJP’s tally in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly has now risen to 208 seats. According to the Election Commission of India, BJP candidate Debanshu Panda, after a total of 22 rounds of counting, secured 1,49,666 votes defeating his nearest rival, CPI-M candidate Shambhunath Kurmi, by a margin of 1,09,021 votes. The CPI-M candidate polled 40,645 votes to finish second. The Congress’ Abdur Razzak Molla was third with 10,084 votes. Trinamul C ongress candidate Jahangir Sheikh (Jahangir Khan) finished fourth and forfeited his security deposit after polling only 7,783 votes. He had earlier announced that he was withdrawing from the contest. commercial engagement as global supply chains undergo significant realignment. Mr Rubio described India as one of Washington’s most important strategic partners and rejected suggestions that bilateral ties required a “reset” or “reinvigoration” following recent trade frictions and tariff-related debates. “This is not about restoring or reinvigorating. I’ve seen people use that terminology. This is about continuing to build on what is already a very solid and strong strategic partnership ~ one of the most important ones that we have,” he said. Emphasising the strategic depth of the relationship, Mr Rubio said India-US ties were fundamentally different from many other international partnerships because they were rooted in shared democratic values and converging long-term interests. Speaking alongside Mr Rubio, Mr Jaishankar said India's foreign policy is based on managing multiple strategic relationships without viewing international affairs as a "zerosum game". He noted that India maintains strong ties simultaneously with the United States, Israel, Iran, Gulf countries, Russia, Europe, and Ukraine. “Today's India has that range of interests which require us to manage multiple accounts,” he said, describing the approach as one of multi-alignment. • Related reports: Pg 5,10 Rubio: US ties with Pak ‘not at the expense’ of strategic alliance with India New Delhi: Seeking to allay concerns in New Delhi over Washington’s expanding engagement with Islamabad, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday asserted that America’s relations with Pakistan would not come “at the expense” of its strategic alliance with India, stressing that the India-US partnership remains strong, steady and poised to deepen further in the years ahead. Responding to a media query, along with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Rubio declined to be drawn into military matters but firmly defended Washington’s broader diplomatic approach in South Asia. Page 5 UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Washington, 24 May US President Donald Trump said that a deal between the USA and Iran has been “largely negotiated,” raising cautious hopes that months of conflict could finally be winding down and that one of the world's most critical shipping lanes Strait of Hormuz might soon reopen. Mr Trump shared the update on Truth Social, saying the agreement involves the US, Iran, and several other countries, though he acknowledged some details still need to be worked out. “Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed and will be announced shortly,” he wrote. “In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this earlier Sunday while speaking in New Delhi, indicating that “significant progress” had been made in the negotiations, and suggesting that a breakthrough could be announced within hours ~ though he was careful to note that nothing is finalised yet. People familiar with the talks say the deal would pause hostilities, gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ease restrictions on Iranian ports, and unlock some Iranian assets frozen overseas. It would also kick off a fresh round of talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, which remains the thorniest issue on the table. One sticking point is what to do with Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The current proposal reportedly Twisha Sharma cremated after 2nd postmortem STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 24 May criminal, and to make personal appearances before all Tribunal/Courts/Judicial/Qu asi-Judicial/other Forums/Public or other Authorities in India in actions arising out of order No. L-II(B)-17(9)99/137 of Mr. Suchit Goyal, Competent Authority, Deputy Land & Development Office.’’ The governing body of the club is also sending a communication to the Housing & Urban Affairs Ministry, seeking an urgent meeting with ministry No UCC restrictions to be imposed on tribal communities: Amit Shah AGRAJ PRATAP SINGH New Delhi, 24 May Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured tribal communities that no restrictions will be imposed on the ‘Vanvasi’ world and the Vanvasi society under the Union Common Civil Code (UCC) nor will there to be any encroachment on their rights. Addressing a large gathering of tribals from different parts of the country at the Janjati Sanskriti Samagam, organised by Janjati Suraksha Manch at the Red Fort grounds here on Sunday to mark celebrations of Birsa Munda’s 150th birth year, Mr Shah said the government will make all efforts to preserve and protect tribal culture. Pointing out that the tribal people worship nature, he said it is nature worship that connects everyone to Sanatan dharma. Citing the example of Lord Ram and Shabari, Mr Shah said by eating the half-eaten berries of Shabari, Lord Ram made it abundantly clear that all are equal and one. Furthermore, PHOTO BY SUBRATA DUTTA by washing the feet of Nishadraj, he honoured the forest dwellers. He said everyone must resolve to connect with religion to remain connected to culture. Remembering Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Shah stated that despite there being no communication facilities available in his times, he conveyed this message to the tribes across India, “this is our country, our religion is the true religion, and no one can occupy our forests.” Lashing out at the Congress party, Mr Shah alleged that during its regime, the total budget for tribal welfare was just Rs 28,000 crores, whereas the Modi government has increased it to Rs 1,50,000 crores. The conclave was held under the chairmanship of National Convenor of Janjati Suraksha Manch Ganesh Ram Bhagat in the presence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. On the occasion, the Union home minister reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to connect tribal society with the mainstream of the country’s development. Trump says US-Iran agreement largely negotiated, signals reopening of Strait of Hormuz Gymkhana Club members weigh legal, other options after Centre’s notice to vacate premises Members of the prestigious Delhi Gymkhana Club are in shock after the Central government issued a notice to the club to vacate its premises located close to the Prime Minister’s residence in Lutyens’ Delhi by 5 June for defence-related projects. The matter has become a talk of the town, especially amongst the capital’s elite, given the fact that it is one of the oldest clubs in the country. Sources said the club members and the governing body held a meeting today to consider various legal and other options to deal with the situation. The meeting authorised club member Vijay Khurana ‘‘to appear in all Tribunals/ Courts/ Judicial/ Quasi-judicial/other Forums/ Public or other Authorities in India and to sign papers for consulting and defending legal proceedings, civil or Archer’s brilliant all-round show seals playoff berth for Rajasthan Royals Page 12 Page 9 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Monday, 25 May 2026 officials. The club, which sits on around 27 acres of land, employs a large number of people, who now fear that they might lose their jobs. The institution that came into being in 1913 has elaborate sports facilities, including grass tennis courts, squash courts, billiards room, swimming pool, lounge bars, and cottages. It is considered a preferred destination for bureaucrats, industrialists, and the elite, with the membership considered highly prestigious, and something not very easy to get. The notice from the Land and Development Office says since the site is located in a highly sensitive and strategic area, it is required for institutional and governance-related purposes. Meanwhile, former Lt Governor of Puducherry and retired IPS officer Kiran Bedi, taking to social media platform X, wrote, “This is unfortunate. It is truly tragic. (Hope the proposal is reconsidered). Arun Jaitley got a new pool constructed during his life time. Some of the finest tennis matches have played here. So much history, so many memories, and generations of sporting excellence are associated with this place.” She stated that the Delhi Gymkhana Club is not just a property ~ it is part of institutional and sporting heritage. “Change may be necessary, but history and legacy deserve thoughtful preservation,” Bedi added. Bhopal, 24 May The last rites of former Miss Pune Twisha Sharma (33) were finally conducted at Bhopal on Sunday evening, 12 days after she was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her in-laws’ house in Katara Hills locality of Bhopal on the night of 12 May. Emotional scenes unfolded at the Bhadbhada Vishram Ghat in Bhopal, where the last rites were performed after 5 p.m. Twisha’s mother and other members of the family were inconsolable as the funeral pyre was lit after performing rituals. The cremation was carried out after a team of four doctors from AIIMS New Delhi conducted a second post mortem on Twisha’s body at AIIMS Bhopal, earlier in the day. The MP High Court at Jabalpur had on 22 May ordered that a second autopsy be carried out, accepting an application moved in this regard by Twisha’s parents. • Details: Page 5 carves out at least 30 days for continued diplomacy on that and other unresolved questions. Iran, for its part, has pushed back on parts of Mr Trump’s framing. State-affiliated Fars News Agency said the claim that the Strait would be “fully reopened” overstates what Iran has actually agreed to. According to the agency, Tehran has only committed to restoring shipping to pre-conflict levels, which isn’t the same as unrestricted passage. The deal is said to roll out in two stages. In the first, Iran would bring maritime traffic through the Strait back to pre-war levels, pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons, and resume fuel and oil exports. A second phase, expected to run 30 to 60 days, would dig into the harder questions around Iran’s nuclear programme and the broader regional picture. The push got a boost after mediators from Qatar and Pakistan reportedly sat down with Iranian officials in Tehran on Saturday. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Mr Trump’s “extraordinary efforts to pursue peace” after what he described as a productive call with leaders from several Gulf nations, plus Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Pakistan. Mr Trump also mentioned a separate call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which he called constructive. Israeli officials, though, are uneasy, worried that any interim deal might focus too narrowly on the ceasefire and sanctions relief without locking down commitments on Iran’s nuclear programme. Washington has reportedly been reassuring Israel that the nuclear question isn’t being sidelined. Mr Trump had previously put the odds of reaching a deal at “a solid 50-50,” warning that failed diplomacy could lead back to military action. But for now, the mood among US, Iranian, and regional officials seems guardedly optimistic, more so than at any point in recent months.