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 | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR Modinomics at 75 Israel expands operation in Gaza City, residents told to leave Page 6 Page 9 BRIEFLY NATION Meghalaya: Sangma reshuffles cabinet Page 8 India between China and the USA: Many perspectives MOHUL BHATTACHARYA Kolkata, 16 september India-US trade deal: New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Tuesday that discussions with visiting US Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch were positive and forward looking, and that it was decided to intensify efforts to reach a mutually bilateral trade agreement at the earliest. The high-level US trade delegation led by Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, arrived in Delhi on Monday evening. “Acknowledging the enduring importance of bilateral trade between India and the US, the discussions were positive & forward looking covering various aspects of the trade deal,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement. T he annual Statesman Rural Reporting Awards continues to be a compelling event, offering insights that extend beyond journalism. This year’s panel discussion was titled Trump or Tianjin: Devil or the Deep Sea, a theme reflecting India’s geopolitical balancing act. Mr Ravindra Kumar, Editor and Managing Director of The Statesman, opened the session by underscoring the importance of such dialogues. He highlighted how the panelists bring global and national perspectives to the fore, enriching public understanding of international relations. “These issues are nuanced,” he said, “and everyone stands to gain from engaging with them.” He spoke of legacy, representation, and the relevance of such discussions in times of global crisis. The distinguished panel included Dinesh Trivedi, former Minister of Railways, Sitaram Sharma, former Director of Andhra Paper Limited, Professor Partho P. Majumdar, known as the “Gene Guru”, Major General Harsha Kakkar (Retd.), strategic affairs columnist for The Statesman. Arpan Banerjee, lawyer, professor of law, and alumnus of the University of London was the moderator. ArpanBanerjee,contextualising the debate, reflected on the historical framing of US presidents in The Statesman’s debates. “This is only the second time a sitting US president has been directly referenced,” he noted. “Thefirstwasaround2003–2004, during the Iraq War under President Bush.” He observed that the term “Weapons of Mass Destruction” has resurfaced during the Trump presidency, often invoked but rarely addressed substantively. Mr Banerjee added: “India drifting towards China is both delusional and utopian. Yet, we must ask whether it’s time to consider China a strategic partner SC transfers to itself pleas challenging law Panel set up for India’s regulating conversion upon marriage PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 16 September The Supreme Court on Tuesday transferred to itself the petitions pending before various High Courts in the BJP ruled states challenging the controversial laws regulating religious conversion upon inter-faith marriages coupled with stringent provisions for bail and prolonged sentences. Giving four weeks to the Centre, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Haryana to respond to the petitions and the related applications, a bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran also issued notice on the pleas seeking stay on the operation of the laws, posting the matter after six weeks for considering plea for stay. Telling the bench that the law under challenge is basically anti-conversion law titled as the Freedom of Religion Act in Uttar Pradesh, senior advocate Chander Uday Singh, appearingforoneofthepetitioners, said: “Now, as courts grant bail, etc...UP has made the minimum sentence of 20 years or the end of natural life, coupled with twin conditions of bail on par with stringent PMLA and the reverse burden of proof... Several States are enacting them. Rajasthan also enacted a law a few weeks ago. Any person can make a complaint. Mobs are picking them up during festivals, etc.” Mr Singh also sought the court’s nod for filing an amendment application to challenge the new provisions included in the Uttar Pradesh law. He said that it is impossible for a person accused in an interfaith marriage to get bail. Seeking the transfer of a matter pending before the Madhya Pradesh High Court in which she is representing a part respondent, senior advocate Indira Jaising said, “Let other such pending petitions be transferred here. It will be a challenge to all such laws.” As lawyers appearing for the petitioners pressed for the transfer of petitions pending before the High Courts to the Supreme Court, Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, appearing for Madhya Pradesh said, “We have no objection to transfer.” Upon this, the bench said, "Ok, transfer all such petitions here. Amendment application allowed.” However, CJI Gavai said that it will take time to decide on the validity of all these laws. Next-Gen air defence PARWINDER SANDHU New Delhi, 16 September A month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Mission Sudarshan Chakra, to establish an Iron Dome air-defence system, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday confirmed that a committee has been formed to examine the project and prepare a “realistic action plan”. The announcement was made by the defence minister during the ongoing Combined Commanders’ Conference 2025 in Kolkata, West Bengal. Calling upon the commanders to be proactive in their approach and strive to build the Sudarshan Chakra, Singh said the committee has been formed to examine the project and prepare a “realistic action plan”. PM Modi turns 75: A legacy of transformation and service STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 16 September Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrates his 75th birthday on Wednesday, 17 S e p te m b e r, m a r k i n g a milestone in his remarkable journey as a leader who has redefined India's political, social, and economic landscape. Over the past decade, Mr M o d i h a s sp e a r h e a d e d numerous ambitious initiatives that have transformed India's landscape. Mr Modi's vision for i n c l u s ive g row t h a n d d e ve l o p m e n t h a s b e e n reflected in several flagship programmes. PM’s governance has consistently reinforced the strength of India's farmers, women, and youth. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi provided direct financial assistance to over 11 crore farmers. PM Modi amplified India's vo i c e o n i s s u e s l i ke counter-terrorism, climate change, and digital innovation. The BJP has plans to celebrate Prime Minister Modi’s 75th birthday by Wednesday, 17 September 2025 SPORTS WORLD EDITORIAL PAGE | organizing an ove r two-week-long ‘seva pakhwara’ (service fortnight) across the country from 17 September to 2 October. The campaign will begin with blood donation camps in 1,000 districts on 17 September. From 18 September to 2 October, blood donation drives will continue at every Mandal, alongside cleanliness c a m p a i g n s i n s c h o o l s, hospitals, railway stations, bus stands, temples, parks, riversides, and heritage sites. Other activities include health check-up camps, environmental protection campaigns, exhibitions, distribution of assistive devices to persons with disabilities, a “Modi Vikas Marathon,” sports events, and drawing competitions. Despite speculation about his retirement after turning 75, BJP leaders have dismissed the rumours. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said: "There is no need to search for his successor. He is our leader and will continue." Mr Fadnavis also stated that in 2029, Mr Modi will again be the Prime Minister. in areas like rare earth minerals, defence, and geological cooperation.” “I come from the world of science,” said Professor Majumdar. “Let me compare the two nations—Trump’s America and China’s Tianjin.” He criticised China’s aggressive patent-filing culture, suggesting that many patents are submitted merely to boost numbers and secure university remuneration, often lacking peer-reviewed credibility. “They aspire to lead in publications, but many of these journals are predatory. It’s essentially academic trash.” Turning to the USA, Majumdar lamented the decline in scientific openness under Trump. “Indian scholars are being pushed out. Diversity, which once enriched American science, is now under threat. Harvard initially supported Black Lives Matter and diversity, but later redacted its stance. We must be cautious and consider bringing back our scholars to fill domestic vacancies.” • Turn to page 4 Mandhana reclaims No.1 position in women’s ODI rankings Page 12 PCB’s protest over match referee falls flat STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 16 September The International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board’s demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from officiating duties at the ongoing Asia Cup, despite the PCB reportedly threatening to pull out of their upcoming match against Oman over the “no-handshake” controversy. • Details on Page 16 Apollo Tyres splurges `579 crore to bag India jersey rights until March 2028 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 16 September Apollo Tyres has secured the lead sponsorship rights of the Indian cricket teams with a winning bid of Rs 579 crore, outbidding Canva (Rs 544 crore) & JK Cements (Rs 477 crore) in a closely contested three-way race. The Gurgaon-based tyre major, which operates in more than 100 countries, will hold the rights for two and a half years until March 2028. The deal covers 121 bilateral matches and 21 ICC fixtures, making it Apollo Tyres’ first-ever entry into Indian cricket sponsorship. As part of the agreement, Apollo’s logo will appear on the jerseys of the Indian men’s and women’s teams across all formats. The sponsorship void emerged after Dream11 was forced to withdraw in August. Dream11’s contract with the BCCI, valued at approximately Rs 358 cr for 2023–2026.