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 LC | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | Thursday, 28 August 2025 SPORTS WORLD NATION 29,000 Myanmar refugees shelter in Mizoram NATION TN CM Stalin amplifies vote theft charge at Bihar rally Page 09 Page 13 BRIEFLY Israel says hospital strike targeted Hamas camera 50 pc tariffs come into effect, Vaishno Devi landslide toll govt seeks to mitigate impact rises to 34; PM assures aid New Delhi, 27 August New Delhi: Expressing ''shock'' and "deep regret" over the killing of journalists in Gaza's Khan Younis, India on Wednesday said it has always condemned loss of civilian lives in conflict. The comment from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) comes after Israel struck Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on Monday, killing at least 21 people, including five journalists, in a "double-tap" attack, amid intensifying Israeli offensives in the besieged enclave. Among the journalists killed were Al Jazeera's Mohammad Salama, Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri, and Mariam Abu Daqqa, a freelance journalist working for The Associated Press at the time. Page 16 Page 5 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE India condemns Israel’s killing of scribes in Gaza: Gauff battles to win in first US Open match with new coach T he 50 per cent tariffs imposed on most imports from India to the United States came into effect on Wednesday. Economists have warned that the tariffs could inflict significant damage on the Indian economy and further disrupt global supply chains. Exporters said shipments and even production are currently on hold. According to trade estimates, the move will impact at least Rs45,000 crore worth of Indian exports. The tariffs could affect nearly 55 per cent of India's $87 billion in merchandise exports to the USA, while benefiting competitors such as Vietnam, Bangladesh and China. Lakhs of jobs are likely to be affected. Santanu Sengupta, chief India economist, Goldman Sachs, said that sustained 50 per cent levies could push India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth below 6 per cent, from a forecast level of around 6.5 per cent. Rival exporters from Turkey to Thailand, facing lower tariffs, People burn an effigy during a previous protest against US President Donald Trump in Kolkata. FILE PHOTO are already scooping up US buyers with offers of cheaper goods. “About 30 per cent of India’s exports to the USA ~ including pharmaceuticals, electronics, raw drug materials and refined fuels ~ worth $27.6 billion, remain duty-free. But sectors like textiles, gems and jewellery, and seafood, long reliant on the American market, face shrinking order books,” Mr Sengupta said. As the Indian government seeks to mitigate the impact of the tariffs, it is said to be actively engaging with exporters to increase shipments of key products like textiles, leather, and gems and jewellery to other countries. New Delhi is also reaching out to 40 countries, including the UK, Spain, France, Germany, and Italy to push exports in key sectors, including textiles and chemicals, in order to counter the heavy tariffs. Other countries in this outreach effort include the Netherlands, Poland, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Belgium, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Australia. A senior official said trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and sector-specific promotional campaigns will also be part of India's stepped up drive to push exports amid escalating tariff tensions between India and the United States. The Commerce Ministry is set to hold a series of consultations with exporters this week as part of this renewed push to diversify India's export basket and strengthen its presence in global markets, a senior official confirmed. The meetings will bring together industry representatives from key sectors including textiles, chemicals and gems and jewellery, sources said. The government is also seeking to fast-track free trade pacts and carry out a review of existing pacts such as those with the EU, UK, Oman, ASEAN, New Zealand, Peru and Chile. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has also drawn up a Rs 25,000 crore proposal for WTO-compliant support schemes to help finance small exporters in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, gems, jewellery and marine products. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Jammu, 27 August At least 34 pilgrims, 16 among them women and 2 children, died and 23 others were injured after a massive landslide hit them on Tuesday on the Vaishno Devi track route, officials confirmwd on Wednesday. The authorities have identified 20 of those dead, while other bodies were still unidentified. The victims were from across the country. Rescue operations by the Army, CRPF, NDRF and SDRF were ongoing. The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board authorities had initially said that five people had died and 14 were injured. However, the number of casualties increased as the debris was removed and more bodies were found. The Jammu region has CM Omar asks why yatra was allowed to continue despite weather alert STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Jammu, 27 August Cabinet approves submission of bid for Commonwealth Games 2030 Cabinet clears four railway projects worth Rs 12,328 crore STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 27 August The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Sports Ministry’s proposal to submit India’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CWG). As part of the decision, the Cabinet also cleared the signing of the Host Collaboration Agreement (HCA), along with guarantees from the relevant ministries, departments, and authorities. Additionally, it sanctioned the provision of grant-in-aid support to the Gujarat government, should the bid be successful. If awarded, Ahmedabad is set to be the host city, with the government highlighting its world-class stadiums, cutting-edge training facilities, and strong sporting culture. The Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket venue and the site of the 2023 ICC World Cup Final, has already proven its ability to stage marquee global events. A Commonwealth Sport inspection team, led by Director of Games Darren Hall, recently visited Ahmedabad to review the proposed venues and hold discussions with Gujarat government officials. A larger delegation is expected to make a visit soon. The Cabinet stressed that hosting the Games would have benefits far beyond sport, driving tourism, job creation, and opportunities across multiple sectors such as sports science, event operations, logistics, broadcasting, IT, communications, and public relations. “Hosting the CWG in India would leave a lasting impact, boosting tourism, creating jobs, and inspiring millions of young athletes,” the release stated. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had earlier approved the bid at its Special General Meeting on 13 August in the national capital. Having already submitted its Expression of Interest, the IOA now has until 31 August to file the final proposal. Alongside India, Nigeria and two other countries have reportedly expressed interest in hosting the 2030 edition. The final decision will be taken at the General Assembly of Commonwealth Sport in Glasgow in November. India last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010, staging the event in New Delhi. New Delhi, 27 August The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved four railway projects worth approximately Rs 12,328 crore, a government release said. These projects aim to ensure seamless and faster transportation of both passengers and goods, providing connectivity and improving travel convenience while reducing logistic costs and dependence on oil imports. The four projects approved by the Union Cabinet include Deshalpar–Hajipir–Luna and Vayor–Lakhpat New Line, Secunderabad (Sanathnagar)–Wadi 3rd and 4th Line, Bhagalpur–Jamalpur 3rd Line, and Furkating–New Tinsukia Doubling. Page 5 ‘India must set the rules of engagement’ PARWINDER SANDHU CDS assures resolution of Inter-Service differences Mhow, 27 August In a powerful call seeking strategic dominance, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that in today’s evolving global landscape, the nation that defines the battlefield controls the conflict and its terms. He urged India’s armed forces to take the lead in determining the battlefield and setting the rules of engagement, confirming that adversaries are forced to operate on our terms. Mr Singh was addressing the gathering during the ongoing Ran Samwad-2025, being organised by the Head Quarter Integrated Defence Staff, at Army War College in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, here today. “Today, in the world, whichever nation decides the PARWINDER SANDHU Mhow, August 27 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh releases the Joint Doctrine for 'Multi Domain Operations' (MDO) and the 'Technology Perspective & Capability Roadmap 2025' during Ran Samvad 2025 at the Army War College, in Ambedkar Nagar on Wednesday. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh are also present. ANI battlefield is the one that controls the game and its rules. Others have no option but to respond to this and step into the arena on terms that are not of its own choosing. Our endeavour must be to define the battlefield and the rules of the game ourselves, compelling the adversary to fight there, so that the lead advantage always remains with us,” he said. As the curtains were drawn on the first edition of Ran Samwad 2025, the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, in his closing remarks, stressed that any “dissonance” amongst the services will be resolved with the best interest of the nation in mind. It may be noted that during the course of discussions, the Naval Chief and Air chief had made contrasting remarks over the proposed creation of theatre commands. While Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said that there was no need for another structure at the lower level, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi called for the rollout of theatre commands as the “ultimate goal”. Addressing the gathering, Gen. Chauhan said: “As a CDS I actually set out to promote jointness among the three services. Today, I can say with some kind of pleasure and confidence that we can speak about our differences in a very conducive kind of environment... openness to patiently listen to others with different and alternate points of view, without temperatures being risen.” • Details on Page 6 witnessed widespread damage and loss of lives due to cloudbursts and landslides during the incessant rains that have been continuing since Monday. The Vaishnodevi yatra has been suspended after the tragedy hit the region at about 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Expressing grief over the loss of lives in the landslide, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X: “The loss of lives due to a landslide on the route to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is saddening. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. The administration is assisting all those affected. My prayers for everyone's safety and well-being.” Mr Modi assured continued assistance to the people of Jammu and Kashmir when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah briefed him about the widespread damage in Jammu caused by the ongoing floods triggered by torrential rains. Omar, who reached here from Srinagar this morning after air flights resumed, visited the worst-affected areas and assessed the situation. He vowed to take all necessary measures to safeguard people in vulnerable areas. Mr Abdullah later announced Rs 6 lakh ex gratia (Rs.4 lakh from SDRF and Rs 2 lakh from CM’s Relief Fund) for the next of kin of those killed in the disaster. Rs 1 lakh will be given to the severely injured and Rs.50,000 to those with minor injuries. As a landslide triggered by incessant rains claimed 34 lives of Vaishno Devi pilgrims, J&K CM Omar Abdullah questioned the authorities involved for permitting the yatra to continue despite an alert of adverse weather conditions. Replying to questions of reporters, Omar expressed grief over the deaths in the Vaishno Devi landslide, and asked why officials did not stop the yatra when there was a weather warning. “When we knew about the weather, should we not have taken certain steps to save those lives? The weather warning had come to us a few days ago,” he said. “Why were these people on the track? Why were they not stopped? Why were they not moved to a safe place? This has to be discussed later.” • See also page 7