FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | Saturday, 29 November 2025 SPORTS SATURDAY INTERVIEW Ayush Mhatre to lead India in U-19 Asia Cup ‘Unity in diversity is a Hindu idea’ BUSINESS WORLD HK blaze: More bodies recovered, death toll 128 India-US trade deal likely this year: Commerce Secy Page 12 BRIEFLY Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia ‘very critical’: Page 11 Page 9 India’s GDP grows at 8.2 per cent in Q2 FY 2025-26 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Key highlights: New Delhi, 28 November Dhaka: The health condition of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is "very critical", her party said on Friday. "You all know that our leader Begum Khaleda Zia has fallen ill and been hospitalised. Last night (Thursday), doctors said her health condition is very critical,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told mediapersons in Dhaka. Reports suggest that Khaleda Zia was admitted to a hospital in Dhaka on the night of 23 November following a medical board's advice after being diagnosed with infections affecting her heart and lungs. n Nominal and real GDP: Nominal and real GDP for the first half of FY26 also showed solid growth, with real GDP increasing 8.0 per cent year-on-year, and the government announcing that the IIP data release is shifted to 1 December due to overlap with quarterly GDP releases. T he Indian economy recorded a robust 8.2 per cent growth in real GDP during the July–September quarter (Q2) of the financial year 2025–26, significantly higher than the 5.6 per cent expansion in the same period last year, according to data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The economy continues to gain momentum, supported by resilient performance in the secondary and tertiary sectors, which lifted overall growth in the first half (H1) of FY26 to 8.0 per cent, compared with 6.1 per cent in H1 FY25. Nominal GDP for Q2 FY26 stood at Rs 85.25 lakh crore, up from Rs 78.40 lakh crore in Q2 FY25, marking 8.7 per cent growth at current prices. Real GDP was estimated at Rs 48.63 lakh crore for the quarter. Both Manufacturing (9.1 per cent) and Construction (7.2 per cent ) in the secondary sector posted strong growth. In the services sector, Financial, Real Estate & Professional I will end all federal benefits and subsidies to non-citizens, denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any foreign national who is a public charge, security risk, or incompatible with Western civilization. UNITED STATES PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP Washington, 28 November Announcing sweeping plans to crack down on immigration, President Donald Trump on Friday said that his administration will “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the US system to fully recover.” Citing an argument that the current policy has eroded national progress, Mr Trump said he would terminate “millions” of admissions under his predecessor, Joe Biden. He also promised to “remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States or is incapable of loving our country,” and to “denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility.” In a Truth Social post late Thursday night in Washington, Mr Trump said he would “terminate all of the millions of Biden's illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden’s Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States or is incapable of loving our country." Services grew at 10.2 per cent, while overall tertiary sector growth stood at 9.2 per cent. Growth remained subdued in the Agriculture & Allied sector (3.5 per cent) and New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the 8.2 per cent GDP growth in Q2 of 2025-26 is very encouraging, and that the government will continue to advance reforms and ensure ease of living for all. "It reflects the impact of our pro-growth policies and reforms. It also reflects the hard work and enterprise of our people. Our government will continue to advance reforms and strengthen Ease of Living for every citizen," Prime Minister Modi said. Electricity, Gas, Water Supply & Other Utilities (4.4 per cent), reflecting moderated output during the quarter. As per the MoSPI data, for the first half (April–September) of FY26, the real GDP reached Rs 96.52 lakh crore, growing 8.0 per cent year-on-year. Nominal GDP grew 8.8 per cent to Rs 171.30 lakh crore while the real GVA increased 7.9 per cent. CEC has ‘blood on his hands’: TMC STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 28 November A 10 -member Trinamul Congress delegation (photo), led by party MP Derek O’Brien, met the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday to raise concerns regarding the ongoing SIR exercise in West Bengal. During the meeting, the TMC delegation prominently highlighted the reported “suicides” of several Booth Level Officers (BLOs), allegedly due to intense pressure to meet SIR targets within a tight deadline. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, TMC MP Mahua Moitra said: “We held a two-hour meeting and began by presenting a list of 40 people, 17–18 of whom were BLOs whose deaths were directly linked to the SIR process.” However, Mahua Moitra claimed that the Election Commissioners dismissed these deaths as mere “allegations.” She said the delegation raised five key questions but did not receive answers to any of them “We raised five key questions. First: if the SIR exercise was intended to identify non-citizens, what was the final count in Bihar? Despite earlier claims of ‘lakhs’, not a single confirmed case has been reported. “The same applies to Bengal. While other states like Tripura, PM urges nation to embrace nine resolutions for developed India STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 28 November Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid out a set of nine resolutions for the nation, urging citizens to embrace them for building a developed India by 2047. Addressing the massive Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana programme at the sacred Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi, Karnataka, the Prime Minister framed these appeals as essential "for our present and future", drawing inspiration from the principles of duty in the Bhagavad Gita. The nine resolutions cover vital aspects of national life, culture, and personal Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves during a roadshow in Udupi on Friday. AGENCIES responsibility: Water Conservation: Conserving water and protecting rivers; Tree Plantation: Participating in tree plantation campaigns like "Ek Ped Maa ke Naam"; Uplifting the Poor: Making Robust Q2 GDP reflects impact of our pro-growth policies, says Modi: n Agriculture & Utilities: Growth in Agriculture and Utilities remained subdued, with the agriculture & allied sector growing only 3.5 per cent and electricity, gas, water & utilities growing 4.4 pc, indicating moderated output compared to other sectors. US President Trump plans to ‘permanently pause’ migration from ‘Third World’ countries UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Page 16 an effort to improve the life of at least one poor person; Adopting Swadeshi: Embracing the idea of Swadeshi and being 'Vocal for Local'; Promoting Natural Farming; Healthy Lifestyle: Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including millets in the diet, and reducing oil intake; Practicing Yoga and making it a part of life; Preserving Manuscripts: Supporting the preservation of India's ancient knowledge hidden in manuscripts; and Visiting Heritage Sites: Visiting at least 25 places in the country connected with our heritage. PM Modi further emphasised that the entire life of Lord Shri Krishna and every chapter of the Gita convey the message of action, duty, and welfare. "The Bhagavad Gita makes us aware of our duties and life commitments, and inspired by this, I urge everyone to adopt certain resolutions," PM Modi stated, adding that once the community of saints blesses these appeals, "nothing will stop them from reaching every citizen". Recalling the collective recitation of the Gita by one lakh voices, the Prime Minister described the event as a moment of witnessing "the living divinity of India’s millennia-old spiritual heritage." He added, "When so many people recite a sacred text like the Gita... a special energy emerges that gives the mind and intellect a new vibration and a new strength. This energy is the power of spirituality and also the power of social unity." Meghalaya and those bordering Myanmar also face infiltration concerns, the SIR is being conducted only in West Bengal, suggesting that Bihar was merely a trial run and Bengal the real target,” she said. The TMC delegation also asked why Assam is undergoing only a special revision and not an intensive one. Ms Moitra further argued that if the ECI itself considers the existing electoral rolls unreliable, the validity of the entire Lok Sabha comes into question, as the general elections were conducted using the same voter list. MP Derek O’Brien echoed Moitra’s remarks, saying the ECI failed to answer any of their questions. Referring to the deaths of BLOs involved in the SIR exercise, Mr O’Brien said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and his team have “blood on their hands.” Putin to visit India on 4-5 Dec for summit with Modi: MEA • Major agreements are expected during the visit, especially in defence, with both countries preparing extensively, highlighted by EAM Jaishankar recent Moscow visit to lay the groundwork. New Delhi, 28 November • President Droupadi Murmu will host a banquet for President Putin, who will arrive with a high-powered delegation of ministers. Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on 4 and 5 December for the 23rd India-Russia annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was officially announced here on Friday. The visit will provide an opportunity for the leaderships of India and Russia to review progress in bilateral relations, set the vision for strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs said. President Droupadi Murmu will host a banquet in honour of the Russian President, who will be accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including key ministers, officials and business leaders. President Putin and PM Modi are expected to discuss steps to boost ties between their two nations in diverse fields. They are also expected to take stock of global developments, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Russian leader is expected to brief PM Modi on the US-brokered draft peace plan aimed at ending the prolonged conflict. The Indian leader has already told President Putin during their meetings that this is not the era of wars and that India is in favour of an immediate cessation of hostilities. Both India and Russia have been making every effort to ensure the success of President Putin's visit, during which several major bilateral agreements, including those related to defence, are expected to be signed. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had visited Moscow recently to do the groundwork for the visit. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Multi-dimensional threats in India’s neighbourhood: Rajnath PARWINDER SANDHU New Delhi, 28 November Warning that India operates in a neighbourhood where threats range from terrorism and cross-border extremism to maritime pressure and information warfare, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said such complex challenges demand constant vigilance and absolute clarity of purpose. Mr Singh was addressing the gathering at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025. Based on the theme “Reform to Transform: Sashakt, Surakshit aur Viksit Bharat,” the two-day dialogue is being organised by the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS). The event concluded in the national capital today. “India lives in a region where challenges emerge in many forms - terrorism, cross-border support to extremist elements, attempts to alter the status quo, maritime pressures and even information warfare. These are complex situations that require constant vigilance and clarity of purpose,” he said. Stating that India has always believed in peace and dialogue, and remains committed to that approach, Mr Singh, however, said that when it comes to our sovereignty and the security of our people, we do not compromise. “Our Armed Forces have shown again and again that they are capable and ready. It is this blend of restraint and firmness that allows us to manage our neighbourhood challenges, while contributing to regional stability,” he added. India’s rise as a voice of balance and responsibility in an increasingly turbulent global landscape was also highlighted by Mr Singh as he asserted that Indo-Pacific and Global South nations now view New Delhi as a trusted and reliable partner.