WEDNESDAY 07 MAY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. VERY LIGHT RAIN. SUSTAINED SURFACE WINDS (SPEED 15-25 KMPH).THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 36 AND 24 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 81 % India, UK successfully conclude historic FTA Pact opens ‘massive export opportunities’ for India's labour-intensive sectors The FTA is expected to boost bilateral trade by an estimated 25.5 bn pounds by 2040. The deal focuses on enhancing market access & reducing trade restrictions. The landmark agreement will open new opportunities for businesses, strengthen economic linkages, and deepen people-to-people ties. Min. 38 % TEMPERATURE Max: 36.0 °C (-3.3) SUN RISES 05:35 hrs MOON RISES 14:29 hrs Min: 22.7 °C (-2.4) SUN SETS 19:00 hrs MOON SETS 03:04 hrs THUMBNAILS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 MAY Adivasi community members perform during the 'Samvidhan Bachao' (Save Constitution) rally in Ranchi on Tuesday. ANI Union Carbide waste incineration begins: The final process of incinerating the last remaining 307 tonnes of waste from the defunct Union Carbide factory of Bhopal began at a private incineration facility at Pithampur Industrial Area near Indore in Madhya Pradesh late evening on Monday. According to officials, the waste is expected to be incinerated completely in 50-55 days. The incineration process is being conducted on the directives of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and officials of the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board are monitoring the procedure. (Page 5) I ndia and the United Kingdom on Tuesday successfully concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), along with a Double Taxation Avoidance Convention in a historic deal that will open up massive export opportunities for many labourintensive sectors in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his United Kingdom counterpart Keir Starmer announced the successful conclusion of the long-awaited India–UK FTA, which comes after three years of negotiations. During a telephonic conversation, the two leaders described it as a historic milestone in the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that would foster trade, investment, innovation and job creation in both the economies. They agreed that the landmark agreements between the two major market economies of the world will open new opportunities for businesses, strengthen economic linkages, and deepen people-to-people ties. PM Modi posted on social media platform X: “Delighted to speak with my friend PM @Keir_Starmer. In a historic milestone, India and the UK have successfully concluded an ambitious and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement, along with a Double Contribution Convention. These landmark agreements will further deepen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and catalyse trade, investment, growth, job creation, and innovation in both our economies. I look forward to welcoming PM Starmer to India soon.” The FTA is expected to boost bilateral trade by an estimated 25.5 billion pounds by 2040. The deal focuses on enhancing market access and reducing trade restrictions. The Commerce Ministry, in a statement, said that 99 per cent of Indian exports will benefit from zero duty and the agreement will provide significant boost to trade in services, such as IT/ITeS, financial services, professional services, other business services and educational services. As part of the agreement, tariffs on items like whisky, advanced manufacturing parts, and various food products will be reduced. Quotas will also be established for automobile imports on both sides. These measures are aimed at fostering stronger ties between the two countries, streamlining trade regulations, and promoting economic cooperation. Also, Indian employees temporarily working in the UK and their employers will be exempt from social security contributions for three years under the Double Contribution Convention, enhancing India’s global service competitiveness. (See Page 10) Civil defence drill announced in 244 vulnerable districts PARWINDER SANDHU NEW DELHI, 6 MAY A day after the Ministry of Home Affairs announced nationwide civil defence drills, a list of 244 districts where the drills will be conducted was released. As security concerns rise amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, the MHA has devised the drills to prepare civilians and government systems to respond during emergencies including war, missile attacks, or aerial strikes. In the scheduled drills, which are being undertaken under Civil Defence Rules, 1968, apart from the local administration and security authorities, the Civil Defence Wardens, Home Guards, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), have been roped in to play an active role. According to reports, 259 towns that fall in the shortlisted districts are divided into three categories. The selection is based on the tactical and strategical vulnerability of these towns from the enemy's attack point of view. The key aspects of the drills will include training of civilians, students, crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and updating of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal, and operationalisation of Air Preparedness exercise Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, the MHA has devised the civil defence drills to prepare civilians and government systems to respond during emergencies including war, missile attacks, or aerial strikes 244 vulnerable districts and 259 towns falling within these districts have been shortlisted by the govt for the civil defence drills on 7 May The key aspects of the drills will include training of civilians, students, crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and updating of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal, and operationalisation of Air Raid Warning Sirens The upcoming civil defence drill may include temporary blackouts, suspension of mobile signals, or traffic signals, and diversion of traffic. Further, evacuation drills or public announcements may be undertaken along with police and paramilitary forces playing out a war-like emergency. Raid Warning Sirens. Earlier, a 30-minute blackout drill was conducted in the Ferozepur army cantonment by the authorities. The drills which date back to the cold-war era were exercised to recreate real-life scenarios pertaining to an armed attack. The upcoming civil defence drill on 7 May may include temporary blackouts, suspension of mobile signals, IAF issues NOTAM for massive India rejects OIC statement on Pahalgam attack, calls it absurd drill near IB in Rajasthan STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 MAY The Indian Air Force is engaging in a major day and night exercise along with the International Border between India and Pakistan, in Rajasthan. The IAF has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for the exercise slated to begin on Wednesday. According to the NOTAM, the exercise is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. on 7 May and will continue until 9:30 p.m. on 8 May, restricting airspace in the affected areas. Many of India’s top-ofthe-line fighter jets, including Rafales, Mirage 2000s and Sukhoi-30s will be part of the exercise. The exercise comes amidst the civil defence mock drills, announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 244 districts across the country. Earlier, India had announced a temporary closure of its airspace to all Pak- istan-registered and military aircraft amid escalating tensions. Meanwhile, Pakistan continued to provoke the Indian army by engaging in cross border firing at Line of Control for the 12th consecutive day. An army spokesperson stated that during the night of 5-6 May, Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked small-arms fire across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor. “The Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately,” he added. It may be noted that recently, Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif raised suspicions about the possibility of India carrying out military strikes at any moment along the Line of Control in Kashmir. “There are reports that India may strike at any point along the LoC. New Delhi will be given a befitting reply,” the minister reportedly told media. NEW DELHI, 6 MAY India on Tuesday rejected the statement from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the Pahalgam terror attack, saying the ‘absurd’ statement issued at the behest of Pakistan refuses to recognise the facts of the assault and its cross-border linkages. “This is yet another attempt by Pakistan, a country that has long engaged in cross-border terrorism, to manipulate and misguide the OIC Group to issue a self-serving statement. We reject the OIC’s interference on matters that are internal to India,’’ MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. Earlier, the OIC once again sought to shield Islam- The MEA called it yet another attempt by Pakistan to manipulate and misguide the OIC Group to issue a selfserving statement. abad in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack while expressing deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in South Asia and calling for restraint and the urgent resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan. In a statement, the General Secretariat of the 57-member body of Islamic nations stressed the need to resolve differences through peaceful means in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter to safeguard peace, security and stability in South Asia. It reiterated what it called the OIC’s principled and consistent position condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The OIC also recalled the decisions of the Islamic Summit and the resolutions adopted by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers reaffirming its unwavering support for the Jammu and Kashmir ‘question’. The General Secretariat of the OIC urged the international community to intensify efforts to find a solution to the J&K issue in line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The OIC underscored the importance of sustained commitment to a peaceful settlement of the issue. India climbs 3 spots in Human Development Index with highest AI skills penetration STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 MAY India climbed three spots in the Human Development Index (HDI) to 130, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said on Tuesday. It also stated that India is in a unique position globally as a rising artificial intelligence powerhouse, with the highest self-reported AI skills penetration. The index is part of the Human Development Report (HDR) which ranks 193 countries. Ireland tops the list, followed by Norway, Switzerland, Denmark and Germany. India is ranked at par with Bangladesh, while its neighbours Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan are at 89th, 145th and 168th, respectively. “With an HDI value increasing from 0.676 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023, India remains in the medium human development category, moving closer to the threshold for high human development (HDI more than or equal to 0.700),” the report said. This marks a three-place rise from its 2022 rank of 133. India also demonstrated notable improvement in reducing gender inequality, climbing from 108 (out of 166 countries) in 2022 to 102 out of 193 countries in 2023 on the Gender Inequality Index (GII). The theme of the Human Development Report “A matter of choice: People and possibilities in the age of AI”. Despite this progress, India scored 0.874 on the Gender Development Index (GDI), placing it among Group 5 countries which are considered to have low success in closing Ireland tops the list, followed by Norway, Switzerland, Denmark and Germany. India is ranked on a par with Bangladesh, while its neighbours Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan are at 89th, 145th and 168th, respectively. the gender gap. On the HDI front, with a value of 0.685, India remains in the medium human development category, but is inching closer to the threshold of high human development, set at 0.700. Among BRICS nations, India trails Brazil (89th), Russia (59th), China (75th), and South Africa (110th). Regionally, Sri Lanka leads, while Nepal and Bhutan lag. India’s GNI per capita rank is seven positions below its HDI rank, indicating income remains a relative weakness compared to health and education. Global HDI progress has slowed to its weakest pace since 1990, excluding the pandemic years, as per the report. The gap between Very High and Low HDI countries has widened for four consecutive years, reversing decades of narrowing disparities. All regions face stalled HDI growth projections for 2024. India’s HDI value has increased by over 53 per cent since 1990, outpacing global and South Asian averages. The improvement is attributed to economic growth and targeted social protection and welfare programs. India’s life expectancy at birth rose from 71.7 years in 2022 to 72 years in 2023, the highest since the index’s inception. In 1990, it stood at 58.6 years, signaling a robust recovery from the pandemic. Key national health schemes like the National Rural Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat, Janani Suraksha Yojana, and Poshan Abhiyaan have played crucial roles in improving health outcomes. or traffic signals, and diversion of traffic. Further, evacuation drills or public announcements may be undertaken along with police and paramilitary forces playing out a warlike emergency. It was also reported that post the drill, the authorities are required to prepare and present an "Action Taken Report" documenting the event, response gaps, and recommendations. ‘India's water will now only flow in India's favour’, PM Modi asserts STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 MAY Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reassured that "now India's water will flow in India's favour." Speaking at the ABP Network India@2047 Summit Mr Modi said: "In the media there is a lot of discussion about India's water these days. Now India's water will flow in India's favour." Mr Modi's assumption assumes significance as his assertions come in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack following which India has suspended the India-Pakistan Indus Water Treaty with immediate effect. This means India is holding the treaty in abeyance and will not fully uphold its obligations until political relations improve with Pakistan. The decision was announced on 23 April 2025, and is seen as a response to national security concerns and accusations of Pakistan's support for statesponsored terrorism. Reasserting that India is showing the world how tradition and technology can thrive together, Mr Modi also said: "How tradition and technology go hand in hand. Today we are among the top countries in the world in digital transactions." The prime minister also announced that the IndiaUK Free Trade Agreement has just been finalised. Mr Modi said that earlier today the agreement with UK was clinched during his talks with British PM Keir Rodney Starmer.