THURSDAY 19 JUNE 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR IRAN REJECTS SURRENDER, WARNS USA OF ‘IRREPARABLE DAMAGE’ KCR AND JAGAN COLLUDED TO TAP MY PHONE: YS SHARMILA P9 SENSEX 81,444.66 q138.64 WEATHER LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN/THUNDERSTORM/ LIGHTNING WITH GUSTY WINDS TEMPORARILY REACHING 60 KMPH DURING THUNDERSTORM TOWARDS EVENING/NIGHT. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 36 AND 27 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: 000.0 Mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 100% Min. 65% TEMPERATUR Max: 34.2°C (-4.6) SUN RISES 05:24 hrs MOON RISES 00:56hrs Min: 24.2°C (-3.3) SUN SETS 19:22 hrs MOON SETS 12:51 hrs THUMBNAILS ‘INDIA MAINTAINED HEALTHY GROWTH RATE DESPITE GLOBAL VOLATILITY’ P8 NIFTY 24,812.05 q41.35 ` vs $ 86.52 P10 GOLD `1,02,305 Axiom-4 mission eyes 22 June as probable new launch date: After multiple rounds of delays and rescheduling, the Axiom-4 mission — which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla — is now targeting a probable launch date of 22 June, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Wednesday. US had no role in brokering ceasefire: Modi to Trump NEW DELHI, 18 JUNE In view of the deteriorating situation as a result of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, India on Wednesday launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its nationals from Iran. The Government of India has been taking various steps over the last several days for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran, the SHAHID K ABBAS NEW DELHI, 18 JUNE S etting the record straight, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear to US President Donald Trump that the USA had no role in brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan last month. During a 35-minute phone conversation Mr Modi also pointed out that there was no discussion on a US-India trade deal during the recent hostilities. “India has never accepted, does not accept, and will never accept mediation in its bilateral relations with Pakistan,” Mr Modi clarified. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the two leaders discussed India-Pakistan relations, with PM Modi clarifying that there was no discussion of trade deals or mediation between India and Pakistan during the recent conflict. Notably, Congress and other Opposition parties have consistently been demanding that Prime NIKHIL VYAS NEW DELHI, 18 JUNE In an obvious reference to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for strict action against countries supporting and promoting terrorism. Participating in the Outreach Session of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, PM Modi stressed that there should be no double standards in dealing with terrorism and those who support terrorism should never be rewarded. “Will countries understand the grave threat posed by terrorism only when they become a target? How can perpetrators of terror and its victims be equated? Will global institutions be mute spectators to terrorism?” Mr Modi questioned. Addressing a session on ‘Energy Security: diversification, technology Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "As a first step, the Indian Embassy has evacuated 110 Indian students from northern Iran, assisting them in safely crossing over into Armenia on June 17. The students have travelled by road to the Armenian capital, Yerevan, under the supervision of our Missions in Iran and Armenia. These students departed Yerevan on a special flight at 1455 hrs on June 18 and will arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of June 19 as part of the initial stages of Operation Sindhu," the MEA said in a statement. The Government of India is grateful to the Governments of Iran and Armenia for the smooth facilitation of the evacuation process, the MEA said. India accords highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad. As part of the ongoing operation, the Indian Embassy in Iran has been assisting large numbers of Indian nationals in moving from areas seeing increased hostilities to relatively safer areas within the country and to subsequently evacuate them using the available and feasible options. Indian nationals in Iran are advised to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Tehran through its emergency helpline, and with the 24x7 Control Room established by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, the statement further said. and infrastructure to ensure access and affordability in a changing world', PM Modi said India has always acted in the interest of humanity, rising above its own self-interest. “We will continue to engage in dialogue and cooperation with the G-7 on all matters in the future as well," he said. Emphasising on security challenges, PM Modi called upon countries to strengthen the global Ahmedabad plane crash: DNA matching of 206 victims complete AGENCIES AHMEDABAD, 18 JUNE Six days after the tragic Air India plane crash that claimed 279 lives, the process of identifying the deceased through DNA matching is underway on a war footing. By Wednesday, DNA samples of 206 victims had been successfully matched, and 169 bodies had been handed over to their families, according to an update from Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel. The aircraft, en route from Ahmedabad to London's Gatwick airport, had crashed into the B.J. Medical College Hostel shortly after take-off on 12 June and burst into a fireball, killing nearly all on board and several on the ground. The identification process of the remains continues as forensic and health agencies work round-theclock to ensure accuracy and dignityinthehandoverprocess of the bodies. Miraculous escape for Madras HC judges as attempt to derail train fails M C RAJAN CHENNAI, 18 JUNE Passengers, including three sitting judges of Madras High Court, travelling by the Yercaud Superfast Express, had a miraculous escape as the train ran over a 10-ft long iron rod, allegedly placed on the tracks by miscreants in an apparent derailment bid, near Magudanchavadi Railway Station in Salem district. The alleged bid to derail the train on Tuesday was foiled after the alert driver brought the train to a halt ensuring the safety of all the passengers. Fortunately, none of the coaches were damaged, and there was no injury to the passengers. BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 76.95 India and Canada agree to restore High Commissioners, ending diplomatic rift India has never accepted, will not accept mediation in bilateral relations with Pakistan: PM India launches Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE P12 SILVER `1,11,000 Minister Narendra Modi break his silence on the repeated claims by US President Trump that his threat of cutting trade with India and Pakistan led to the ceasefire. “India has made it clear to the world that it will not tolerate terrorism and will take all necessary actions to combat it,” Mr Misri said, quoting the Prime Minister. Briefing President Trump on Operation Sindoor and India's action against terrorism, PM Modi emphasised that the operation was measured, precise, and nonescalatory. The call came after a scheduled meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Summit was cancelled due to Trump's early departure, the Foreign Secretary said. PM calls for strict action against countries supporting terrorism CDS General Anil Chauhan during the commissioning ceremony of INS Arnala at Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. nANI HARSHIT RANA IN INDIA’S SQUAD AHEAD OF FIRST TEST The three judges of the High Court ~ Justices N Senthil Kumar, G K Ilanthiraiyan, and Krishnan Ramasamy ~along with retired Judges K Kalyanasundaram and M Govindaraj, were returning by the train after attending the funeral of senior counsel VK Muthusamy, father of Supreme Court Judge, Justice MM Sundaresh. Tamil Nadu Minister S Muthusamy also took part in the funeral. According to Railway sources, the Yercaud Express which departed from Erode junction at 9 p.m. was approaching Magudanchavadi at around 9.45 p.m. when it struck a metal object, which was dragged by the train for nearly 300 metres. As the brake lining of the rail engine got jammed, the locomotive was rendered inoperable. The loco pilots, upon inspection, found the piece of railway track stuck under the engine. Railway personnel and police rushed to the spot after being informed. After the obstruction was removed, the train resumed its journey with a replacement engine from Erode after nearly a two-hour delay. Other trains on the route also faced a delay due to the incident. Taking the incident as a deliberate attempt to derail the train, the police and Railway authorities have launched a probe and are examining CCTV footage in the surrounding areas to apprehend those involved. fight against terrorism. Thanking the global community for their strong support to India in its fight against terrorism, he expressed that the Pahalgam terror attack was not just an assault on India but on the entire humanity. “I would like to draw your attention to another grave issue - terrorism. There must be no place for double standards when it comes to terrorism,” the Prime Minister said. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 18 JUNE In a major breakthrough, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have agreed to restore high commissioners to each other's capitals, marking a significant step towards repairing bilateral ties between the two nations. The decision was arrived at during a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. The diplomatic rift between India and Canada began in 2023, when then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated", but the row over Nijjar's killing led to a downgrade in diplomatic ties. India recalled its high commissioner and five other diplomats after Ottawa attempted to link them to the Nijjar case and expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomats. The restoration of high commissioners is the first step in a series of "calibrated and constructive" measures to restore stability in the relationship. Both nations have agreed to resume senior-level dialogues on trade, people-to-people contact, and connectivity. Trade negotiations, which were paused due to the diplomatic strain, will also be taken up soon.