EPS STILL HOPES TO STITCH TOGETHER A MEGA ALLIANCE 06 JULY 2025 RELIGION OF ECI IS TO FULFIL CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION: CEC GILL SLAMS ANOTHER TON AFTER DOUBLE AS INDIA DOMINATE IN 2ND TEST www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 PAGE 04 PAGE 08 PAGE 12 SINCE 1818 PAGES 12 |` 5.00 NEW DELHI | KOLKATA | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR WEATHER Generally Cloudy sky with one or two spells of light to moderate rain/ thundershower very likely to occur. Trinidad & Tobago backs India for Khemka murder sparks political UNSC permanent membership PM Modi announced OCI cards for Trinidad & Tobago diaspora up to sixth generation RAINFALL: 000.3 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 95% PM Modi arrives in Argentina for historic visit to strengthen ties Min. 82% TEMPERATURE Max: 30.6˚C (-1.9) SUN RISES 04:57 hrs MOON RISES 13:45 hrs firestorm in Bihar Min: 26.2˚C (-0.6) SUN SETS 18:25 hrs MOON SETS 00:21 hrs Full Moon on 11 July THUMBNAILS IMRAN MOJIB PATNA, 5 JULY NIKHIL VYAS NEW DELHI, 5 JULY A large number of devotees take part in 'Bahuda yatra', the return of the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings to the Puri Jagannath Temple from Shri Gundicha Temple, in Puri on Saturday. n ANI Nehal Modi held in USA following extradition request from Indian agencies: Nehal Modi, brother of fugitive economic offender Nirav Modi, has been apprehended by the authorities in the United States after an extradition request by the central agencies here. The extradition request was submitted by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). According to sources, Indian authorities were informed by the concerned authorities of the US, that Nehal Modi was apprehended on Friday. The extradition proceedings are based on money laundering and criminal conspiracy, while he is wanted in India with regard to his links to the Punjab National Bank fraud case. (Page 6) T rinidad and Tobago has reaffirmed its full support to India for permanent membership of an expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC), following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the iconic Red House in the Port of Spain. PM Modi also announced a decision of the Government of India to issue Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards up to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora of Trinidad and Tobago. Both the leaders reaffirmed the need for comprehensive reforms in the United Nations, including expansion of the United Nations Security Council, to better reflect current global realities. While recognizing the rising geopolitical tensions and global conflicts, both leaders called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward. It was also agreed that India would support Trinidad and Tobago’s candidature for a nonpermanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the period 2027-28; while Trinidad and Tobago would support India’s candidature for the period 2028-29. Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. They called upon greater cooperation to deal with contemporary challenges such as climate change, disaster manage- ment, and cyber security. PM Modi also welcomed Trinidad and Tobago’s decision to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuel Alliance, reflecting their shared commitment to climate action, resilience building, and sustainable development. Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for Trinidad and Tobago’s strong support and solidarity extended to the people of India in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They agreed to work together for greater solidarity among the countries of the Global South and to strengthen IndiaCARICOM partnership. 12 nations to get US tariff letters on Monday, says Trump AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 5 JULY US President Donald Trump has signed tariff letters on exports from 12 countries, which are expected to be sent out on 7 July (Monday). Speaking to the media aboard Air Force One, the US President said the names of the countries which will receive the letters would only be revealed on Monday. “I signed some letters and they'll go out on Monday, probably 12. Different amounts of money, different amounts of tariffs,” he told reporters. “The letters are better. It is much easier to send a letter,” Mr Trump added. Mr Trump has suggested that the reciprocal tariffs could go even higher, potentially reaching 70 per cent for some countries, and take effect from 1 August. The US President in April unveiled a base tariff of 10 per cent on most goods entering the country, along with higher rates for certain countries, including China. Those elevated tariffs were later suspended till 9 July. Washington has concluded trade agreements with two countries - the United Kingdom and Vietnam. Meanwhile, India’s highlevel official delegation, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, has returned from Washington without reaching a final agreement with US India is among world’s most equal societies, ahead of G7 & G20 nations: World Bank STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 JULY India has emerged as one of the world’s most equal societies, according to a recent World Bank report, which highlights the country’s significant strides in ensuring equitable distribution of wealth and consumption. Despite its vast size and diversity, India’s Gini Index stands at 25.5, placing it fourth globally after the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus. This makes India more equal than any G7 or G20 nation, including developed economies like the United States (41.8) and China (35.7), according to an official state- ment citing the report. The Gini Index is a widely recognised measure of inequality, ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (complete inequality). A lower score indicates a more equitable society. India’s score of 25.5 places it in the “moderately low” inequality category (scores between 25 and 30), and just a fraction away from joining the “low inequality” group, currently comprising the Slovak Republic (24.1), Slovenia (24.3), and Belarus (24.4). Out of 167 countries assessed, only these three have better scores than India. “It reflects how India’s economic progress is being shared more evenly across its population,” the statement officials on the sensitive issue of trade in agricultural and dairy products that the USA is pushing for. However, there is still a glimmer of hope that an interim bilateral trade agreement may be reached at the highest political level in the two countries before the 9 July deadline. The Indian team was in Washington for negotiations on an interim trade agreement with the USA from 26 June to 2 July. According to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, India will not hurry into signing a free trade agreement under pressure from any deadline. Speaking on the sidelines of an event in the national capital, Minister Goyal emphasised that India is ready to make trade deals in the national interest but it “never negotiates trade deals with a deadline.” The USA is seeking broader market access for its agricultural and dairy products, which is a major hurdle, as for India, this is a livelihood issue for the country’s small farmers, and hence, is considered a sensitive area. While India is looking to secure an exemption from President Trump’s 26 per cent tariffs by concluding an interim deal before 9 July, it is also pushing for significant tariff concessions for its labour-intensive exports such as textiles, leather and footwear. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 JULY Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday arrived in Buenos Aires on a twoday bilateral visit to Argentina, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in nearly six decades. “Landed in Buenos Aires for a bilateral visit which will focus on augmenting relations with Argentina. I’m eager to be meeting President Javier Milei and holding detailed talks with him,” PM Modi said in a post on the X social media platform. On his arrival, PM Modi was given a ceremonial welcome. This is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Govt slashes toll rates for highways by up to 50 pc Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years. Mr Modi had earlier visited the country in 2018 to attend the G20 Summit. The visit aims to deepen India-Argentina ties, focusing on economic and trade matters, including cooperation in defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties. Argentina’s vast reserves of lithium, copper, and shale gas are of particular interest to India, which seeks to diversify its energy sources. In the defence sector, there are exploring opportunities for joint training, co-production, and technology transfers, with Argentina showing interest in Indian-built defence systems like the Tejas The murder of prominent businessman and BJP leader Gopal Khemka in Patna has triggered a political storm in Bihar, with the Opposition blaming the Nitish KumarBJP government for complete collapse of law and order in the state where Assembly polls are due in a few months. Khemka was shot in the head at point-blank range outside his residence in central Patna late Friday night and died soon after. His murder has sent shockwaves throughout Bihar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held a meeting with top police officials on Saturday and said that maintaining law and order is the government’s top priority. He also said that those involved in the killing will not be spared. Later, a large-scale raid was carried out at Beur Jail in Patna. Sources said that the raid stemmed from new leads in the Khemka murder case, fuelling speculation Four killed in Ramgarh coal mine collapse; Marandi calls it murder, Congress hits back STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 JULY In order to lower travel costs and make road journeys more affordable for the public, the central government has reduced toll rates by up to 50 per cent on certain sections of National Highways that include structures like tunnels, bridges, flyovers, and elevated roads. The move follows the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways amending the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, an official notification said. It has notified a new formula for calculating toll that the murder was planned inside the jail or involved incarcerated individuals. Amid a surge in crime in Bihar ahead of the elections, the back-to-back killings ~ three people in Siwan followed by Khemka’s murder in Patna ~ have provided fresh ammunition to opposition leaders for a renewed offensive against the government Criticising the Bihar government, Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav said that a prominent businessman was gunned down in Patna, just steps from the police station, yet it can’t be called “Jungle Raj.” Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor compared the current situation under Nitish Kumar to Lalu Prasad Yadav’s reign, saying both are marked by lawlessness ~ criminals then, officials now. Rituraj Sinha, national secretary of the BJP, a coalition partner, too, expressed concern, saying that Khemka’s death has heightened anxieties about the safety of industrialists in Patna and across Bihar. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE RANCHI, 5 JULY At least four persons were killed and several others are feared trapped after a section of an abandoned coal mine collapsed during alleged illegal mining at the Karma Project site of Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL) in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district late Friday night. The incident occurred under Kuju outpost, prompting a rescue operation and political outrage. While police confirmed recovery of four bodies from the site, local villagers alleged that more persons were trapped and that some bodies had been removed before authorities arrived. According to the Ramgarh SP, the collapse followed recent blasting activity in the area. Eyewitnesses claimed that the site, though marked as restricted, was frequently accessed by villagers for coal collection due to poverty and lack of enforcement. Soon after the incident, angry villagers gathered at the project office, placed the bodies at the gate, and began a protest demanding compensation. One injured person’s family member accused CCL of negligence, saying the mine was left open and unsecured. CCL officials, while confirming the deaths, said a full report would follow after internal assessment. Political reactions swiftly followed. Leader of the Opposition and state BJP president Babulal Marandi expressed deep grief but went on to allege that the incident was not an accident but “murder” caused by the Uddhav hints at political alliance with Raj Thackeray’s MNS at Marathi Vijay Divas rally STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE MUMBAI, 5 JULY Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray hinted at a political alliance with Raj Thackeray and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) as he spoke at the ‘victory rally’ jointly organised by the two parties on Saturday at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) Dome auditorium at Worli. Senior leaders of other political parties like Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, Mahadev Jankar of the Rashtriya Samaj Party and former Rajya Sabha MP Bhalchandra Mungekar were present at the event. Addressing the rally, Uddhav Thackeray said: “Personally, I think that our appearance together is more important than our speech. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has removed the distance between us. We have come together, to stay together,” hinting at a political alliance with the Raj Thackeray-led MNS for the forthcoming elections to the local civic bodies and municipal corporations across Maharashtra. “We have come together to stay together. We have united to protect Marathi. I want to tell you all that both of us coming together is merely a trailer. This is just the beginning,” Uddhav said. Uddhav referred to the forthcoming elections to 29 municipal corporations in Mumbai and said: “I and Raj Thackeray will capture power in the Mumbai civic body as well as Maharashtra.” The ‘Aawaz Marathicha’ Marathi Vijay Divas victory rally event began with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) founder-president Raj Thackeray embracing Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. Raj Thackeray, who spoke first said: “I had said in one of my interviews that Maharashtra is bigger than any politics. Today after 20 years, Uddhav and I have come together. Devendra Fadnavis has managed to do what Balasaheb Thackeray himself could not, by bringing me and Uddhav together.” Referring to the Maha- rashtra government’s nowscrapped move to introduce Hindi as a third language in primary schools in Maharashtra, the MNS leader said: “Why did you force Hindi language on kids from Class 1? Did you do it simply because you have the power to do so? Your power is restricted only to the Vidhan Bhavan, but our power is on the streets.” He said: “Earlier, language was used to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra. To separate Mumbai from Maharashtra, they first tried to touch the language. But after opposition (the Samyukta Maharashtra agitation of the 1950s which led to formation of the state of Maharashtra), they backed down. I challenge them to touch the Marathi language again.” “The unity of Marathi people must remain and Balasaheb’s dream should be fulfilled,” Raj said Echoing similar sentiments, his cousin and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said: “We have come together, in order to stay together. The distance between us has been bridged by Devendra Fadnavis. Some people criticise us for abandoning Hindutva, but we are Marathi-speaking Hindus. There are no other Hindus as devout as Marathispeaking Hindus. We proved this during the 1992 riots. We do not accept the Hindi in BJP’s ‘Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan’ slogan. BJP had come up with the slogan of ‘one country, one election.’ Now they are giving slogans like ‘Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan.’ We accept Hindu and Hindustan as well, but will never accept Hindi.” “Marathi people come together after a crisis. But once the crisis is over, Marathi people tend to fight among themselves. From now onwards, we don’t want to see this history repeating,” Uddhav said. “BJP uses the policy of divide and rule. In Maharashtra too, they used the policy of dividing society. Marathi people kept fighting with each other. We carried their palanquins (palkhi). Will we just be their palanquin bearers or will we put our Marathi people on the