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 | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | SPORTS NATION NATION Kerala writes to Centre to halt PM SHRI implementation Page 8 BRIEFLY Retail inflation in October eases to 0.25 pc: Army chief: India rising in multipolar world Trump eases H-1B stance, says US needs foreign talent Page 9 Those behind Delhi blast will be brought to justice: PM Modi IN A STRONGLY WORDED RESOLUTION, THE CABINET CONDEMNED THE “HEINOUS TERROR INCIDENT PERPETRATED BY ANTI-NATIONAL FORCES” AND EXTENDED HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FAMILIES. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 12 November P New Delhi: Retail inflation in October eased to 0.25 per cent, the lowest level in the current series that began in 2013, down from 1.44 per cent in September. The moderation was led by a continued decline in food prices. As per the data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the food index fell to -5.02 per cent in October from -2.3 per cent in the previous month, reflecting a broad-based softening in key staples and edible items. Year-on-year inflation rate based on Consumer Food Price Index for October 2025 over October 2024 is -5.02 per cent (Provisional). (Page 10) Doeschate confirms Jurel will partner Pant in 1st Test WORLD Page 5 rime Minister Narendra Modi, who had been on a two-day official visit to Bhutan, landed in the capital on Wednesday afternoon and immediately headed to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital, a release from his office said. There, he met the victims of the deadly blast that rocked central Delhi near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, claiming 13 lives and injuring 24 others. During his visit, the Prime Minister interacted with the injured, offering words of comfort and wishing them a swift recovery. He was briefed by hospital officials and a team of doctors about the medical condition of the patients and the treatment being provided. “Went to LNJP Hospital and met those injured during the blast in Delhi. Praying for everyone’s quick recovery. Those behind the conspiracy Thursday, 13 November 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets those injured in the car blast near Red Fort at Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi on Wednesday. SNS will be brought to justice!,” the Prime Minister said in a post on the X social media platform. The Prime Minister later in the day chaired a meeting of the Union Cabinet, which condemned the Red Fort car blast as a “heinous terror incident perpetrated by anti-national forces”. The Cabinet expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives in the terror attack and observed two minutes of silence in honour of the victims who were killed in the car explosion, which also injured several others, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while reading out a resolution adopted at the meeting. In thestrongly worded resolution, the Cabinet condemned the “heinous terror incident perpetrated by anti-national forces” and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The resolution also commended the swift response of medical personnel, emergency responders, and security agencies, whose “courage and compassion” were acknowledged as exemplary. Reiterating India’s unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism in all its forms, the Cabinet welcomed the solidarity expressed by several governments worldwide. It directed that the ongoing investigation be pursued with utmost urgency and professionalism to ensure that the perpetrators, collaborators, and sponsors are identified and brought to justice without delay. The resolution reaffirmed the government’s steadfast resolve to safeguard the lives and well-being of all citizens, in keeping with its enduring commitment to national security. Page 12 Probe agencies find evidence of JeM's role in Delhi blast: 15 arrested, 3 detained; 'doctor terror module' under scanner ATUL KRISHAN New Delhi, 12 November The investigation into the Delhi Red Fort blast case has turned up evidence indicating that Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad handlers were in touch with the 'Terror Doctor Module', which was allegedly behind the blast on 10 November. The investigation agencies are now saying that a modified explosive might have been used in the blast. The agencies are also examining do c uments containing information about white-collar educated radicals who have been arrested between 2001 and 2025. According to the documents, also accessed by this reporter, 36 terror incidents involved educated Muslims, including doctors, engineers, professors, and journalists. Sources said that Jaish- e-Mohammed also wanted to take revenge for 'Operation Sindoor', in which their ultras were killed. The JK Police have, as of now, arrested 15 doctors from different parts of the nation, and a total of 56 doctors have been questioned so far. Those arrested in this pan-India operation include five from Jammu & Kashmir ~ Arif, Yasir, Maqsood, Irfan, and Zameer ~ along with one more from J&K, Dr. Sajjad. Arrests from other regions include Dr. Adeel Raider from Saharanpur, Dr. Mozammil Ahmad and Dr. Shaheen Shahid from Faridabad, and Dr Pervez from Lucknow. Additionally, one doctor from Sector 56 in Faridabad and four lab technicians from Al Falah University have been detained, while three individuals from J&K ~ Tariq, Amir, and Umar ~ are currently under questioning but have not been formally arrested. Bihar: Tejashwi rejects exit polls, says surge of 72 lakh votes signals change India among top ten countries affected by climate change: Report Threat to blow up five airports declared hoax BISWENDU BHATTACHARJEE New Delhi, 12 November IMRAN MOJIB Two days after the car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort, a threat to blow up five airports across the country with bombs surfaced on Wednesday. However, investigations later confirmed that the threat was a hoax. Sources from Indigo said that on Wednesday the airline received an email threatening to bomb five airports. The email was reportedly received at around 3:15 p.m. Another source said that the email specifically named the airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Trivandrum. The email claimed that bombs would explode within 24 hours, targeting all fiveairports.Aftercomprehensive inspections, the bomb threat was declared to be fake. The INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday rejected the exit polls of the Bihar Assembly elections, claiming that the opposition alliance will form the government in the state after the counting of votes on 14 November. Speaking to the media here, he said compared to 2020, 72 lakh more people voted this time. In every Assembly constituency, more than 30,000 additional voters turned out. “These votes were not cast to save the government of Nitish Kumar. People voted to change it,” he asserted. Commenting on the exit polls, the RJD leader said: “We neither live in any illusion nor any delusion regarding such Belem, 12 November India ranks among the top ten countries globally most affected by climate change, as detailed in a report released in Belem on Wednesday. The report highlights the toll that extreme weather events including heat waves, storms, and floods have taken on vulnerable nations, including India. According to the 2026 Climate Risk Index by German watch, Dominica, Myanmar, and Honduras are listed as the three countries most impacted by extreme weather over the last three decades. While the majority of countries in the top rankings are in the Global South, several European nations and the United States are also included in the top 30, showcasing the widespread effects of climate change. The report indicates that about 40 per cent of the world's population, over three billion people resides in the eleven countries most severely affected by climate related extreme weather in the past 30 years. India, ranked 9th overall, has a significant population of approximately 1.4 billion affected individuals, while China, which holds the 11th position, contributes notably as well. Libya and Haiti follow closely with the Philippines, recently impacted by severe typhoons Kalmaegi and Fung-wong, in 7th place. Developed nations are not exempt from these challenges - France ranks 12th, the highest among industrialised countries, with Italy at 16th and United States, under the leadership of Donald Trump and currently in a state of climate denial, at 18th. The index records over 9,700 extreme weather events occurring between 1995 and 2024, resulting in more than 830,000 fatalities and over USD 4.5 trillion in direct damages, adjusted for inflation. According to the report, heat waves and storms are the most significant threats to human life posed by these events and cause the highest monetary damages, while floods have affected the most people. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Patna, 12 November Chicken’s Neck: India’s strategic reinforcement along eastern frontier PARWINDER SANDHU New Delhi, 12 November Attention has once again turned to the “Chicken’s Neck” ~ the narrow Siliguri Corridor that connects India’s northeast to the mainland ~ with the construction of three new military garrisons and an air power demonstration by the Indian Air Force in Guwahati. Given the evolving dynamics between China and India, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India’s increased military presence along the eastern frontier is being viewed as a strategic response to China’s construction of missile silos and fortified villages near the border. The Siliguri Corridor, which runs through West Bengal and borders Bangladesh, Nepal, China’s Chumbi Valley in Tibet, and the Kingdom of Bhutan, is just 17 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. As the sole land link between India and its eight northeastern states, the Siliguri Corridor ~ stretching from the Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Terai regions of West Bengal towards the northeast ~ holds immense strategic importance. Beijing is reportedly constructing at least two fortified air defence installations in the Tibet Autonomous Region, according to recent reports backed by satellite imagery and analysis from Planet Labs, a commercial geospatial intelligence company. Retractable roof shelters designed to conceal missile launch systems are being incorporated into these structures. By allowing launches from within, these shelters provide significant protection against detection and possible enemy strikes. China’s increasing defence cooperation with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor has also raised concern among Indian defence planners. Speaking to the media, Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief Top sources have said that doctors Muzammil Shakeel and Umar Nabi had conducted a recce of the Red Fort. The module’s plan was to target the Red Fort on 26 January (Republic Day). Furthermore, the group had planned to target a crowded place during Diwali. On Wednesday, Delhi Police were looking for a Ford EcoSport car, which was later found in Faridabad. This was allegedly being used by Dr Umar's associate. "A red Ford EcoSport (registration number DL 10 CK 0458) linked to the Delhi blast case has been recovered near Khadawali village," the police said. Top hospital sources told the reporter there were no traces of explosives on the bodies of the victims killed in the Red Fort Blast. Al-Falah University in Faridabad, where several of those linked to the so-called ‘Terror Doctor Module’ were employed, on Wednesday also released a press note that condemned the attack. The note said that the University had nothing to do with any sort of terror activities. of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), observed that the China–Pakistan defence partnership has advanced beyond traditional arms transfers. He expressed concern that Beijing appears to be using its close relationship with Islamabad as a testing ground for new technologies including advanced weapons platforms and surveillance systems in real-world combat situations. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently described the corridor, often called India’s “chokepoint” due to its critical position, as the nation’s “strongest defence corridor.” surveys. We are receiving extremely positive feedback from across the state. Results will be announced on 14 November, and the oath-taking will be on 18 November — that’s certain.” According to the exit polls, the NDA appears to have the lead in Bihar, while the INDIA bloc is trailing. This time, Bihar recorded a 66.9 per cent voter turnout, with significant participation from women and youth. Questioning the credibility of the exit polls, Mr Yadav said: “Nobody is disclosing the survey’s sample size or its methodology. Surprisingly, the exit polls were released even before voting had ended. These surveys are purely psychological tactics meant to put pressure on officials involved in conducting the elections.” Expressing concern over the counting process, he added: “These surveys have been used to create a narrative, and every effort will be made to slow down the counting process. The entire procedure will be deliberately delayed. They may even deploy the army to conduct flag marches across districts to create fear among people.” Mr Yadav further said: “We are determined to foil such attempts. Our people will prevent vote theft, no matter what sacrifice it takes. We will not allow any dishonesty in the counting. If there is any malpractice, the public will give a fitting reply. The people of Bihar will not allow democracy to be undermined.” EAM holds bilateral talks with global counterparts in Niagara, discusses trade, strategic ties STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 12 November External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has held a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Canada, Germany, South Africa, Mexico, Premier of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, France and Brazil on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Niagara, Canada During the meetings, he reviewed strategic partnership with the leaders and also discussed ways to deepen ties across various sectors including trade and technology. Mr Jaishankar on Tuesday met with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand and discussed the progress in bilateral cooperation under the India-Canada Roadmap 2025. In a post on X, Mr Jaishankar expressed his pleasure at meeting Anand and acknowledged Canada's role in hosting the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. "Delighted to meet with FM Anita Anand of Canada today. Congratulated her on hosting the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Appreciated the progress in implementation of the New Roadmap 2025. Look forward to the further rebuilding of our bilateral partnership," Mr Jaishankar posted. Last month, following a meeting between Me Jaishankar and Ms Anand during her official visit to India, the leaders reached a consensus on a New Roadmap for India-Canada relations, based on mutual respect for shared democratic values, the rule of law, and a commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, as per a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.