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 | Wednesday, 23 September 2026 SPORTS WORLD LOCAL CM promises major investments to restore Bengal’s lost glory Page 4 Iran warns ‘geography of the war’ could expand as Pezeshkian heads to UN EDITORIAL Nithari’s failure Page 12 Page 6 India joins global push for multilateralism STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi/New York, 22 September I ndia has joined Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, the European union and Kenya as an initial co-sponsor of the Partners for Multilateralism (P4M), a new international platform aimed at strengthening cooperation, international law, peace and sustainable development amid growing global tensions. The initiative was launched on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, bringing together countries committed to strengthening international cooperation and addressing shared global challenges. European Council President António Costa said the initiative would bring together countries committed to the principles of the United Nations Charter and to finding practical solutions to common global challenges. The P4M initiative seeks to reinforce multilateralism and promote cooperation among countries at a time of growing geopolitical tensions and complex global challenges. Speaking at the inaugural P4M summit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (photo) said the global order was under stress and the “4F” crisis of fuel, food, fertiliser and finance could not be left to itself, calling for stronger multilateral action to address growing geopolitical tensions, conflicts and global disruptions. Mr Jaishankar said extreme competition, geopolitical tensions and conflicts had given a different character to the steady rebalancing of the world witnessed over the past few decades. “If left unchecked, it would call into question the very spirit of international cooperation. And that is why it is so essential that multilateralism asserts itself strongly at this juncture,” Mr Jaishankar said. “At stake here are very real issues, not just words and expressions. The future of peace and international security, of climate action and climate justice, of emerging technologies and development finance, of countering terrorism and strengthening supply chains, and of ensuring disaster resilience and preparing for pandemics. All depend on a will to cooperate,” he said. Mr Jaishankar also highlighted the need for practical and targeted responses to ongoing conflicts and global disruptions rather than waiting for comprehensive solutions before addressing immediate challenges. He also underlined the need for international frameworks to respond to emerging technologies and new capabilities, as well as measures to reduce vulnerabilities in global supply chains. Indian women cricketers open gold account; badminton team, Roshibina assure medals Page 12 Main accused held in Jamui viral video case IMRAN MOJIB Patna, 22 September The main accused in the viral harassment and molestation video case in Bihar’s Jamui district, Nandan Yadav, was arrested on Tuesday, along with at least one associate. Bihar ADG (Law & Order) K S Anupam said Nandan Yadav sustained a leg injury during a police encounter while attempting to flee. Giving an update on the case, Ms Anupam said the names of seven to eight youths have so far emerged during the investigation. She said action would be taken against anyone found involved in the incident. The criminal histories of the accused are also being examined. An FIR has been registered at Jamui police station under the BNS/BNSS and the POCSO Act. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by SDPO Deepti Monali, is investigating the case. The ADG said the charge sheet would be filed soon and that a fast-track court would handle the case. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said the government had acted promptly in connection with the incident, and promised strict action would be taken against everyone involved, including those who committed the act, and those who made the video or circulated it. The case relates to the harassment and molestation of two Class 10 minor students by a group of men near the Kunder Dam area on the Jamui-Lakhisarai border on 19 September. A video of the incident went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage. The attackers hurled vulgar comments, slapped the male student, and sexually assaulted the female student. Keralam govt orders police probe against Vijayan, daughter & son-in-law: Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Keralam has sanctioned a comprehensive state police inquiry against former Chief Minister and current Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena Vijayan and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas in the CMRL-Exalogic monthly pay-off case. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said here on Tuesday that the state government had decided to entrust Director General of Police (DGP) Ravada Chandrasekhar with an inquiry into the matter. The DGP will decide what kind of inquiry is to be conducted, Mr Chennithala said.