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 | Thursday, 14 May 2026 SPORTS WORLD EDITORIAL Broken trust Trump arrives in Beijing for talks with China’s Xi PERSPECTIVE The economics of quiet patriotism Page 9 Page 7 Page 6 PM Modi reduces convoy size Centre raises import tariffs on gold and silver: STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 13 May I n a move indicating implementation of austerity measures within the government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced his convoy size. Officials said that the reduction in the number of vehicles was done while maintaining essential security components as per the SPG protocol. Typically, the PM’s convoy includes Pilot vehicles, escort vehicles, the Prime Minister’s car, a backup vehicle, an ambulance, medical emergency vehicles, and a communications vehicle. PM Modi has also asked for the inclusion of Electric Vehicles in his convoy, wherever possible, without new purchases, sources said. PM Modi on Sunday called on citizens to reduce consumption of fuel and switch to public transport. He also urged people to reduce gold purchases for at least one year—an appeal that came in the wake of the global energy disruption caused by the Iran war. However, PM Modi’s appeal to citizens to adopt austerity measures and reduce fuel consumption ~ specifically by using public transport ~ triggered significant backlash on social media due to the contrasting, large -scale convoys used by officials and politicians. Social media platforms were flooded with criticism after visuals surfaced of massive, fuel-guzzling VIP motorcades in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Users mocked the contrast, labelling it a case of “rules for the common man, luxuries for leaders.” Notably, Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and Madhya New Delhi: The Centre has raised the import tariffs on gold and silver to 15 per cent from 6 per cent, as part of efforts to curb overseas purchases of the metals and ease pressure on the country's foreign exchange reserves. The move comes after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the citizens to avoid buying gold for a year to help conserve foreign exchange reserves. The global bullion prices are already soaring amid geopolitical uncertainty, volatile crude oil markets and fears of prolonged conflict in West Asia. India imports nearly all the gold it consumes, the higher duties are expected to directly influence domestic gold prices, jewellery rates and investment demand. The move may help narrow India's trade deficit and support the rupee, one of Asia's worst-performing currencies. The government has imposed a 10 per cent basic customs duty and a 5 per cent Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) on gold and silver imports, taking the effective import tax to 15 per cent from 6 per cent. Gold and silver futures witnessed a massive rally on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). MCX silver futures for July 2026 delivery surged by Rs 16,743, or nearly 6 per cent, to Rs 2,95,805 per kilogram. Gold futures for June 2026 delivery also jumped Rs 9,206, or 6 per cent, to Rs 1,62,648 per 10 grams. Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav also reportedly decided to reduce their convoy size. The Madhya Pradesh govern- Cooperation in energy, defence, trade to be high on agenda during PM Modi’s upcoming visit to UAE, 4 European nations NIKHIL VYAS New Delhi, 13 May Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a six-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy starting from 15 May to boost India's bilateral ties, cooperation in energy, defence, economy and trade amid the West Asia crisis. Addressing a special media briefing here on Wednesday evening, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (West) Sibi George said: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a five‐nation tour from 15–20 May, covering the UAE and four European countries ~ the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy.” He stated that in the UAE on 15 May, PM Modi will meet President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss bilateral ties, energy cooperation and regional issues. Mr George remarked that India and the UAE share a comprehensive strategic partnership, with over 4.5 million Indians living in the UAE."We have a concrete agenda covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations with the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and other Nordic partners. This includes discussions and engagement with the business community,” he said. “In the UAE, the visit follows recent developments around OPEC pipelines. With the Netherlands, semiconductors are a key area of cooperation, and discussions will include Advanced Semiconductor and IMEC-related topics will also be covered and briefed accordingly," he said. During the briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (photo) said: “Over the past several years, the Prime Minister has visited the UAE seven times, and the President of the UAE has visited our country five times. Apart from this, several members of their royal family have also visited India. So, you can understand the kind of partnership this is and how much importance we attach to it." Mr George further said that after concluding his visit to the UAE, PM Modi will visit the Netherlands from 15 to 17 May.“From 15–17 May, PM Modi will be in the Netherlands ~ his second visit after 2017 ~ at a crucial moment in bilateral relations. This also includes the third India‐Nordic Summit, focusing on trade, investment, green technology, and innovation. The visit to the four European countries comes in the backdrop of the India-EU FTA that we finalised earlier this year," he remarked. Following the Dutch leg, PM Modi will pivot to Scandinavia, visiting Sweden and Norway, nations viewed by New Delhi as "key to New Delhi's transition to green and emerging technologies." A major centrepiece of the tour is the Prime Minister's arrival in Norway for the third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo on 18 May. Vijay govt wins confidence vote, gets backing of rebel AIADMK MLAs AIADMK sacks rival faction leaders SP Velumani, C Ve Shanmugam from party posts: STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Chennai: After a faction of AIADMK leaders voted for Vijay’s TVK during trust vote, party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday removed party leaders SP Velumani, C Ve Shanmugam and C Vijayabaskar from their party posts. Natham R Viswanathan was also relieved of his party responsibility after these leaders defied the party line and voted in favour of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government during the confidence motion in the Assembly earlier in the day. Mr Palaniswami replaced the party posts of the 25 MLAs and appointed new district secretaries in their places. Chennai, 13 May Crossing the major hurdle facing his government, Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Joseph Vijay on Wednesday won the vote of confidence in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, securing the support of 144 members, well in excess of the halfway mark of 118. With the rebel legislators of the AIADMK and the lone AMMK MLA joining hands with the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), CPI, CPI-M, and IUML in extending support to the government, the motion moved by Mr Vijay seeking the confidence of the House was passed by a division of votes. Of the 47 AIADMK members, only 22 voted against the motion, while the rest supported it. The division of votes was preceded by a discussion in which Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) and others participated. “We are staging a walkout as the people have lost confidence in the government, which is trying to secure a majority by horse-trading. Despite the walkout, Mr Chief Minister, you will win the trust vote. But we want the government to continue the pro-people welfare measures of the previous DMK government,” Udhayanidhi said before leading his colleagues out. He also pointed out that after lashing out at the AIADMK as a den of corruption during the campaign, the TVK is likely to accommodate a section of the party legislators and elevate some into the cabinet. Though the AIADMK leadership had not issued a whip, the split in the party was apparent, with the rebels teaming up with the treasury benches even as those aligned with EPS opposed the motion. The rebel camp, led by former ministers CVe Shanmugam and SP Velumani, had made it clear on Tuesday that they would vote in favour of the government. ment said the Chief Minister’s convoy would be reduced from 13 vehicles to eight “until further orders”. PBKS battle slump while MI play for pride in Dharamsala Page 12 Decision on Kerala CM will be announced today STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 13 May Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said that the decision on the next Chief Minister of Kerala will be announced tomorrow after the completion of internal deliberations by the party high command. The remarks come amid continued suspense over the Chief Minister face in Kerala, ten days after the Congress-led United Democratic Front secured a decisive mandate in the 2026 Assembly elections. The results were announced on 4 May and Congress has yet to make an announcement on the CM post. Speaking to reporters, Mr Ramesh said: "As authorised by the members of the CLP in Kerala, the high command of Congress has completed all discussions. The decision on who the next CM of Kerala will be announced tomorrow." The Congress high command has been holding consultations in New Delhi with senior Keralam leaders to finalise the name for the Chief Minister’s post. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala are among the frontrunners for the post. The United Democratic Front (UDF) emerged victorious in Kerala Assembly elections after comfortably crossing the majority mark of 71 seats in the 140-member House, a verdict seen as a decisive rejection of the decade-long rule of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and one that signals a major comeback for the Congress-led coalition. The UDF secured 102 seats, including 63 by the Congress. Meanwhile, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Wednesday said that the Congress party has been overwhelmed with "confusion" amid the suspense over the Chief Ministerial nominee for Kerala. (With agency inputs)