FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 BRIEFLY | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI Varanasi, 11 September Orem: Charlie Kirk (photo), a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump who played an influential role in rallying young Republican voters, was shot and killed at a Utah college event in what the governor called a political assassination. Authorities say Kirk was killed with a single shot from a rooftop on Wednesday. Whoever fired the gun then slipped away amid the chaos of screams and students fleeing the Utah Valley University campus. Authorities were still searching for an unidentified shooter early Thursday and working what they called “multiple active crime scenes.” Page 9 Acharya Devvrat to hold additional charge as Maha Governor: Mumbai: President Droupadi Murmu Thursday appointed Acharya Devvrat, the current Governor of Gujarat, to discharge the functions of the Governor of Maharashtra, in addition to his own duties. This decision comes after C P Radhakrishnan, the previous Governor of Maharashtra, was elected as the Vice President of India. Acharya Devvrat will now hold additional charge as the Governor of Maharashtra, overseeing the state's administration until a new Governor is appointed. As the Governor of Gujarat, Devvrat has been actively involved in promoting social and economic development and welfare initiatives. P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India remains fully committed to strengthening the security of Mauritius’s Exclusive Economic Zone as India announced a Special Economic Package for Mauritius worth nearly USD 680 million (MUR 30 billion) across health, infrastructure, and maritime security sectors. "Today, we have announced a Special Economic Package designed to support Mauritius’ needs and priorities. This will strengthen infrastructure, create new employment opportunities, and further enhance healthcare facilities," PM Modi said while making a joint press statement after his delegation-level talks with visiting Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam in Varanasi. “This package is not an assistance. It is an investment in our shared future,” PM Modi asserted. Calling Mauritius as a key part of India's Neighbourhood First policy, PM Modi said a Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam in Varanasi on Thursday. ANI free, open, secure, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean is a shared priority of both the nations. “In this context, India remains fully committed to strengthening the security of Mauritius’s Exclusive Economic Zone, and enhancing its maritime capacity,” PM Modi said. India has always stood as the first responder and a net security provider in the Indian Ocean region, PM Modi said. “India and Mauritius are two nations, but our dreams and AAP’s Sanjay Singh under ‘house arrest’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Jammu, 11 September High drama unfolded in Srinagar on Thursday when police locked the gates of the government guest house and prevented former chief minister and president of the ruling National Conference (NC) Dr. Farooq Abdullah from meeting the AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh who was staying there. Former Delhi minister and MLA, Imran Hussain, was also with Singh. The police did not allow Dr Abdullah, a three-time chief minister of J&K and several times MP, from entering the premises after which Mr Singh climbed the gate and talked to Dr Abdullah who was standing on the other side. Videos posted by Mr Singh and NC show that the police had chained the gate of the guest house. The AAP MP was neither allowed to protest against the arrest and slapping of PSA on Mehraj Malik, AAP MLA from Doda, and also address a press conference. Mr Singh said he has been put under “house arrest” inside the guest house. He is seen in the video pleading with the policemen to let him meet Dr Abdullah and also address a press conference. An annoyed Farooq Abdullah said: “This is absolutely wrong. In a democracy, protest is the right given by the Constitution of India. The sad part is that J&K is a UT, and the LG has all the powers. He is using it for the wrong purposes. Was it important to prevent Sanjay Singh from speaking? This is not an autocratic rule.” (P3) Rahul Gandhi violating security protocols: CRPF STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 11 September The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Thursday raised the issue of ‘security breaches’ by the Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accusing him of not following security protocols. CRPF VVIP Security chief Sunil June, in a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, raised red flags over the violation. The CRPF chief said Mr Gandhi was not following security protocols and often violated them. He said that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, despite being a political SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR PM announces economic package for Mauritius NIKHIL VYAS Trump ally Charlie Kirk assassinated: | figure with a VVIP profile, was not taking his security seriously. The CRPF chief also raised concerns over Mr Gandhi’s frequent foreign tours, which were not informed and reported to his security team in advance. “In the past 9 months, Rahul violated security protocol during 6 foreign tours. All these 6 foreign tours were made without informing the security agency, causing significant problems for the agency,” the letter reportedly said. The development comes on the heels of a security breach during Mr Gandhi’s visit to Rae Bareli, the Lok Sabha constituency he represents. Notably, Rahul Gandhi comes under the VVIP category and enjoys Z+ protection cover. As per the security protocol, VVIP personalities like him, equipped with Z plus ASL security, are required to inform their security agency 15 days before a foreign tour, but the Congress leader has failed to keep the security team informed and updated. Mr Gandhi's recent visit to Malaysia was mocked by the BJP as a ‘holiday trip amidst VP polls’. destiny are one,” he said. “Mauritius is a key part of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and our Vision ‘MAHASAGAR’. In March, I had the honour of attending Mauritius’ National Day celebrations, where we elevated our ties to an ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’. Today, we reviewed all areas of our cooperation in detail, and also exchanged views on regional and global matters,” PM Modi said. Reaffirming their shared vision for peace and prosperity India schools Switzerland over minority remark STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 11 September New Delhi has condemned Switzerland’s comments on India’s treatment of minorities, calling them “surprising, shallow, and ill-informed.” India strongly rebutted Switzerland's remarks at the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) held in Geneva, where Bern has urged New Delhi to "protect minorities and uphold the rights to freedom of expression and the media." Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi firmly rejected Switzerland’s claim and suggested that Bern focus on its own domestic challenges, including racism, systemic discrimination, & xenophobia. in the Indian Ocean Region and for the Global South, the two leaders, ahead of their joint press briefing, held delegation-level talks in Varanasi. Both the nations comprehensively reviewed the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between India and Mauritius and identified new opportunities to deepen collaboration across sectors of mutual interest that will drive shared prosperity for both countries, their peoples, and the region. While addressing the joint press briefing, Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam lauded India's continuous assistance over the years, highlighting that the country has benefited from India's expertise in key sectors of national development, including health, education and capacity-building. Mr Ramgoolam thanked India for announcing a special economic package for Mauritius and recalled PM Modi's visit to Mauritius earlier this year when the two nations elevated bilateral ties to higher level with the joint document on enhanced strategic partnership. | Friday, 12 September 2025 First tranche of India-US trade agreement to be finalised by November, says Piyush Goyal STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 11 September The first tranche of the India–US trade agreement is expected to be finalised by November 2025, marking a significant step in easing tensions between the two countries over tariffs and trade barriers, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday. “In February 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump instructed that ministers of both sides should make a good agreement by November 2025. The first part of that agreement, the first tranche, should be finalised by November 2025. Since March, discussions have been going on in a very good environment, and both sides are satisfied with the progress,” the minister said. The remarks come amid renewed optimism following US President Donald Trump’s recent statement on Truth Social, where he said negotiations to address trade barriers were moving forward. “I am pleased to announce that India and the United States of America are continuing negotiations to address the trade barriers between our two nations… I feel certain there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries ! ” Mr Trump had posted. Days earlier, Mr Trump had described India–US ties as a “very special relationship” and reassured that he and Prime Minister Modi “would always be friends,” saying there was “nothing to worry about.” Prime Minister Modi endorsed Me Trump’s comments on X, expressing confidence that the ongoing talks would “unlock the limitless potential” of the partnership. “Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest,” PM Modi said, adding that he looks forward to speaking with Trump to secure a “brighter, more prosperous future” for both nations. The trade negotiations are unfolding against a backdrop of heightened global economic tensions, following the US decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports, including an additional 25 per cent penalty over India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, which Washington argues supports Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine. Nepal: Troops patrol streets, Gen Z protest leaders endorse Sushila Karki’s name for interim PM AGENCIES Kathmandu, 11 September Armed soldiers of the Nepal Army were patrolling the streets of Kathmandu, instructing residents to stay indoors, following a wave of deadly protests in the capital on Thursday. Armytroopsconductedchecks on vehicles and pedestrians amid an indefinite curfew, imposed to "normalise" the city after the chaotic mass unrest that toppled the government of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel on Thursday appealed to maintain peace, asserting that he is making "every effort" to find a way out of the current situation. Youth leaders at the forefront of the demonstrations have stated that widespread corruption and political stagnation are the core reasons behind their mass mobilisation against the government. The protest leaders in a press conference on Thursday have also collectively endorsed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as their nominee for interim Prime Minister, citing her integrity and independence, following the resignation of Mr Oli after widespread protests across the nation. "We are staging this movement against corruption, as it is rampant," said Gen Z leader Diwakar Dangal, echoing the frustrations of thousands of young Nepalese who have taken to the streets in Kathmandu and other major cities since 8 September. Another Gen Z leader, Junal Gadal, emphasised the choice of leadership for the transition phase, stating, "We should choose Sushila Karki as the best option as the guardian of the country." Karki, Nepal's first female Chief Justice, is widely regarded for her stance against judicial and political corruption. The Gen Z-led movement, which initially began as a peaceful protest, has seen moments of violence and chaos, which the leaders blame on political infiltrators. "We had called for a peaceful protest, but the political cadres caused the arson and then vandalised the infrastructure. We are not trying to change the Constitution, but to make necessary amendments to it. Through online surveys, the Gen Z leaders voted for Sushila Karki. Within six months, we will head to elections," said Gen Z leader Anil Baniya. Ojashwi Raj Thapa, another face of the youth uprising, addressed the challenges within the movement, warning against attempts by political actors to create division. "We are not capable of taking full leadership yet, and it will take us time to mature into that role," Thapa said, adding, "Some party members think they can infiltrate and divide us. This bloodshed is your doing, the doing of old leaders. We don't want violence. We want the parliament dissolved, not the constitution scrapped." In the footsteps of Saquib Nachan? Pak-linked terrorist module smashed DEEPSHIKHA VERMA New Delhi, 11 September A terror module, ‘Khilafat’, linked to Pakistan, was dismantled by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police and Central agencies with the arrest of five suspected operatives in coordinated raids across multiple states, officials said on Thursday. The suspects, said to have been radicalised online by a Pakistan-based handler, allegedly intended to acquire land, designate it as a ‘Khilafat zone’, and initiate 'jihad' in India. The arrested men were identified as Ashar Danish, alias Ashrar Qureshi (23), from Ranchi; Aftab Qureshi and Sufiyan Abubakar, both from Five suspected terrorists ~ two from Delhi, one each from Madhya Pradesh, Hyderabad (Telangana) and Ranchi (Jharkhand), arrested by Delhi police in New Delhi on Thursday. AGENCIES Mumbai; Mohammad Huzaifa from Telangana; and Kamran Qureshi from Madhya Pradesh. “Danish, the mastermind of the plot, who coordinated with other members and executed tasks on behalf of the handler, who was referred to as the ‘CEO’, and also went by the names ‘Professor’ and ‘Gazba’, was arrested in Jharkhand,” Pramod Kushwah, Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), told a press conference. “They were guided to promote the idea of ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ and initiate violent activities,” Mr Kushwah said. “Their plan was two-fold. First, to form a Khilafat-style group. They have their own team, which is called Lashkar, and after that, they were planning jihad, the Ghazwa-e-Hind type, based on their distorted concept of understanding of Islam. Plus, some targeted killings were to be tasked to them," the officer said. He said that the Pakistanbased handler shared weapon blueprints, ideological material, and directions for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) via social media chats. Police also said that the group was in the process of raising funds to purchase land to establish a so-called "Khilafat zone", a model previously attempted in Maharashtra by Saquib Nachan. Nachan was convicted for his role in the 2002 and 2003 bomb blasts at Mumbai Central railway station, Vile Parle, and Mulund. He was found guilty under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for possessing weapons and sentenced to ten years in prison. Following his release from jail, Nachan returned to his hometown of Padgha. But he again became involved in terrorist activities, conducting training sessions and even proclaiming Padgha village the hub of ISIS operations in India.