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 | Thursday, 30 October 2025 SPORTS WORLD BUSINESS India-EU FTA by 2025-end; EU team to visit next week Page 10 BRIEFLY Sitharaman, EU team discuss ways to enhance trade ties: Shah predicts landslide victory for NDA in Bihar Page 9 India to face Australia in do-or-die CWC semifinal TRIDIB BAPARNASH C India and Russia reaffirm commitment to elevate defence cooperation: New Delhi: India and Russia held the fifth Meeting of the Working Group on Military Cooperation of Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation in New Delhi on Wednesday, with the discussions focusing on strengthening the ongoing defence engagements between two nations and new initiatives under the ambit of the existing bilateral cooperation mechanism. The meeting held at the capital's Manekshaw Centre was co-chaired by Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit and Head of the Russian delegation, Deputy Chief of Main Operations, Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia Lt. General Dylevsky Igor Nikolayevich. Page 12 NATION Guwahati, 29 october New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday met a delegation of members of the Committee on International Trade Affairs (INTA) from the European Parliament here to further enhance India–EU trade and investment ties. The meeting is crucial amid the India-EU FTA talks as the EU technical team, led by Director General for Trade Sabine Weyand, will visit India next week. Rohit Sharma becomes oldest batter to claim No. 1 spot in ICC ODI rankings Page 5 Pakistan arrests Afghans in Islamabad raids linging to their World Cup hopes by the skin of their teeth, India will be hoping for a spark of magic, perhaps something reminiscent of Harmanpreet Kaur’s iconic 171 not out from the 2017 semifinal when they meet the mighty Australia in Thursday’s second World Cup semifinal at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Harmanpreet’s breathtaking innings in Derby not only dismantled the Australians but also marked a turning point for Indian women’s cricket. Eight years later, the context feels eerily similar, with a captain searching for inspiration after a few inconsistent performances in a crunch knockout affair that could further elevate the status of women’s cricket in the country. After enduring a tense group stage that saw them lose three consecutive matches, India clawed their way into the semifinals, showing grit and belief in equal measure with a commanding win against New Zealand. But the challenge now is tougher, both in opposition and expectation. With key batter Pratika Rawal, the second-highest run-getter for the side, ruled out due to an ankle injury, the hosts must also resolve critical selection dilemmas before stepping onto the field. Barely 72 hours before the match, Shafali Verma was drafted into the side as a replacement, raising eyebrows as she wasn’t even in the reserves list. Shafali’s aggressive batting could inject early momentum, especially if paired with the in-form Smriti Mandhana, who has been India’s batting backbone this tournament with 365 runs at 60.83, including a century and two fifties. However, the numbers don’t favour the pairing, Shafali and Mandhana have averaged 37.20 in 25 innings together, far below the 78.21 average that Mandhana shared with Rawal. The bowling department faces its own balancing act. Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav’s sharp fielding and disciplined spells against Bangladesh may give her the edge over Sneh India, China to continue existing mechanisms to resolve border issues STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 29 October India and China have agreed to continue using existing mechanisms to resolve any ground issues along the border to maintain stability. The decision was taken during the 23rd round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting, which was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on October 25. This was the first meeting of the General Level Mechanism in the Western sector since the 24th round of Special Representatives Talks held on August 19. "The talks were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Wednesday. "The two sides noted the progress since the 22nd round of Corps Commander Level Meeting held in October 2024 and shared the view that peace and tranquility has been maintained in the India-China border areas," the statement added. The meeting marks the latest in a series of high-level military engagements between India and China aimed at de-escalating tensions that have persisted since the 2020 border standoff in eastern Ladakh. The 2020 Galwan Valley standoff between India and China was the worst border clash in over 40 years, resulting in the death of soldiers on both sides. The incident sharply escalated tensions and brought bilateral ties to a historic low. However, the ties between the two nations have been improving since the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in 2024. Earlier in August, India and China held the 24th round of the Special Representatives' dialogue on the Boundary Question and agreed on a series of measures to improve bilateral ties, including setting up a Working Group, under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), to advance effective border management to maintain peace and tranquillity along India-China border areas. Rana, who has struggled for rhythm, conceding 201 runs for just one wicket in her last three outings. Australia, meanwhile, continue to be the benchmark in world cricket. Ruthlessly efficient, they’ve shown the ability to both dominate and recover under pressure. Their comeback wins against Pakistan and England, and their demolition of South Africa in the final group stage game, underlines a team that thrives in every situation. Fitness concerns linger for captain Alyssa Healy, who is racing against time to recover from injury after missing the last two games, while Beth Mooney trained with the gloves on Tuesday, signalling a potential wicketkeeping shuffle. But regardless of personnel, Australia remain a side built on depth and discipline, and it would require a special effort from the home side to beat them. With Alyssa Healy expected to return for the semifinal, Australia will be eager to have their regular captain back at the top of the order. Mamata backs ‘genuine voters’, rejects ‘divide and rule’ politics STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 29 October West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said she wished well for all ‘genuine voters’ in the country and reiterated that she did not believe in the politics of “divide and rule.” Speaking at the inauguration of the Jagaddhatri Puja at Posta Bazar in Kolkata, Banerjee stressed the need to safeguard democracy and protect citizens’ rights. Her remarks came a day after the launch of the state’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls on Tuesday. Though she made no direct reference to the SIR, her comments on voters’ rights were seen as significant. “We celebrate all festivals. Religion belongs to individuals, but festivals belong to everyone. I want nothing else—let our country stay well, let Bengal stay well, let people stay well. I don’t want divide and rule,” Banerjee said from the dais. She further added, “Let all genuine voters be well. The pillars of democracy must be strengthened. Everyone’s democratic rights must be protected so that all can exercise their rights.” Recalling India’s struggle for independence, she invoked the names of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Chief Minister also called for unity, saying, “Humanity and compassion are the greatest religions. Our fist is strong because all five fingers are together. Differences of good and bad, big and small exist everywhere, but we must not break unity. Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, and even Lord Krishna have spoken of this.” The Election Commission’s announcement of the SIR process in Bengal—similar to the one in Bihar—has triggered political reactions ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The political atmosphere turned tense following the death of an elderly man in Panihati, reportedly over fears of an NRC-like process. Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee lashed out at the BJP and the Centre, as well as the Election Commission, accusing them of creating panic among voters. The BJP, on the other hand, maintained that the SIR would only remove names of illegal immigrants, not genuine voters, and accused the Trinamool of spreading unnecessary fear. With Mamata Banerjee now echoing concerns over voters’ rights, the issue has taken fresh political significance in Bengal’s pre-poll landscape. India stands as symbol of peace & inclusive growth, says PM Modi AGRAJ PRATAP SINGH PM Modi congratulates Japanese PM Takaichi: Mumbai, 29 October Highlighting India's specialty of having a vibrant democracy and reliability, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the country is a symbol of strategic autonomy, peace and inclusive growth amid global tension, trade disruptions and the shifting supply chains. PM Modi during his address at the India Maritime Week 2025, said, “When the global seas are rough, the world looks for a steady lighthouse,” adding that India can fulfill such a responsibility with great strength. He said that the country’s maritime and trade initiatives are part of this bigger vision, and one of its examples is the India- Middle East- Europe economic corridor. He said this shall redefine the trade route, and will promote clean energy and smart logistics. PM said that the massive investments in the shipping sector reflect the world’s strong confidence in India’s maritime capabilities, stating that 2025 has been a landmark in nation’s maritime growth story, starting from the operationalisation of Vizhinjam Port to record cargo handling and India’s first Green Hydrogen facility at Kandla. According to the PM, India's major ports created a new record by handling the highest-ever cargo so far, and in a first, one of the ports initiated a high scale indigenous green hydrogen facility at Kandla. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday had a warm conversation with Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected Prime Minister of Japan, and congratulated her on assuming office. During their discussion, PM Modi emphasized the importance of advancing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, focusing on key areas such as economic security, defence cooperation, and talent mobility. Pak issues over 2,100 visas IAF’s ‘one frame’ response: President Murmu & to Sikh pilgrims from India Shivangi Singh debunk Pakistan’s capture claim AGENCIES New Delhi, 29 October The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday stated that it has issued over 2100 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the Guru Nanak Jayanti, or Gurpurab, celebrations next month. "The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued over 2100 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the Birth Celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, to be held in Pakistan from 04-13 November 2025," the Pakistani High Commission posted on X. Both countries had last year agreed through diplomatic channels to extend the validity of the Agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for a further period of five years. The Agreement, signed on 24 October 2019 to facilitate the visit of pilgrims from India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Narowal, Pakistan through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, was valid for a period of five years. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the extension of the validity of this agreement ensured uninterrupted operation of the Corridor for use by the pilgrims from India to visit the holy Gurdwara in Pakistan. India had also urged Pakistan to not levy any fee or charges on the pilgrims, considering the continued requests of pilgrims regarding the removal of USD 20 service charge levied by Pakistan per pilgrim per visit. Prime Minister Narendra Mo di had launched the Kartarpur Corridor in November 2019 when the first lot of 550 Indian pilgrims, led by late Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, visited the holy shrine across the border. PARWINDER SANDHU New Delhi, 29 October The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” was proven right when the Indian Air Force, with a single photograph, delivered a statement stronger than any word-President Droupadi Murmu standing beside Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh in Ambala. The lone picture shattered Islamabad’s fabricated claims of the pilot’s capture during Operation Sindoor. The picture was taken moments after Murmu took a sortie in a Rafale aircraft at Air Force Station, Ambala (Haryana) today. The officer, who recently made history by becoming the first Indian woman fighter pilot to receive the prestigious Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) badge, assisted the President during the pre-and post-flight operations. The Squadron Leader shot into the limelight way back in 2020 when she was shortlisted for flying Rafale. Earlier she was flying MiG-21 Bison aircraft. Hailing from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Singh got commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 2017, as part of IAF's second batch of women fighter pilots. Following an intrusive process, she was shortlisted as a Rafale pilot in 2020. During Operation Sindoor, various rumours circulated suggesting that India had lost several fighter jets, including a Rafale. Some reports even alleged that Singh, India’s first and only female Rafale pilot, had been captured near Sialkot after ejecting from her aircraft, which was purportedly shot down. Soon after a fake video claiming that IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, visiting the home of the IAF pilot went viral on social media. Later, the chatter on social media handles gained momentum regarding her “alleged disappearance. However, it was debunked by the government which claimed that Singh, was not captured by Pakistan. Days later, another Pakistani propaganda account named “Ousai2002” tried to create controversy by claiming that the Indian Air Force had shared a digitally altered image of the officer while receiving the QFI badge. After completing an intensive six-month training programme at the Indian Air Force’s Flying Instructors School in Tambaram, Tamil Nadu, Singh earned the coveted Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) badge, during a felicitation ceremony organised on October 9. The officer was awarded the honour by Air Marshal Tejbir Singh, Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of the IAF’s Training Command.