www.thestatesman.com | FOLLOW US: India’s National Newspaper since 1818 Nation @TheStatesmanLtd | Pages 16 @thestatesmanltd | ` 5.00 New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Bhutan from November 11 to attend the celebrations dedicated to the 70th birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a State visit to Bhutan from 11-12 November 2025," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "The visit seeks to strengthen the special ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and is in keeping with the tradition of regular bilateral high-level exchanges," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The official announcement about PM Modi's upcoming visit to Bhutan was made by the MEA on Saturday. | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | 09 November 2025 S P O RT S Page 9 Page 16 First-phase voting in Bihar signals NDA’s return: Modi IMRAN MOJIB Bihar has done wonders in the first phase of voting. Those responsible for the ‘jungle raj’ have suffered a 65-volt shock. Everywhere, people are talking about how Bihar’s youth have chosen development and voted for the NDA. Patna, 8 November P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday praised the people of Bihar for their overwhelming participation in the first phase of polling for the Assembly elections, saying that the state has chosen development and sent a message of a strong return for the NDA. Addressing public meetings in Sitamarhi and Bettiah on Saturday, PM Modi said that the youth and women have supported the NDA, the “jungle raj” (lawlessness) has been dealt a blow, and the so-called “katta sarkar” (gun rule) has been rejected. Referring to the historic 65% voting in the first phase, he said, “Bihar has done wonders in the first phase of voting. Those responsible for the ‘jungle raj’ have suffered STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 8 November PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI a 65-volt shock. Everywhere, people are talking about how Bihar’s youth have chosen development and voted for the NDA. Bihar’s sisters and daughters have also ensured a record victory for the NDA.” In Sitamarhi, he took a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his viral “fishing video.” Mocking the Congress leader, Modi said, “Big leaders are coming to Bihar to catch fish, but the people will not get trapped.” PM Modi also launched a Legal Aid Delivery Mechanisms at Supreme Court. Highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusive justice, he linked the concepts of Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living directly to the assurance of “Ease of Justice,” stating, “Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living are only possible... when Ease of Justice is also ensured.” The Prime Minister reflected on the progress made in recent years, noting, “In the past few years, several steps have also been taken to enhance Ease of Justice. And going forward, we will bring even greater momentum in this direction.” Pointing to India’s rich tradition of mediation, PM Modi remarked, “Mediation has always been a part of our civilization. The new Mediation Act is carrying forward this tradition, giving it a modern form.” He emphasized the role of technology in justice delivery, calling it “a medium for inclusion and empowerment today.” He cited the E-Courts project as a prime example of how technology is transforming legal access and efficiency. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of communication in local languages. “When people understand the law in their own language, it leads to better compliance and reduces litigation. At the same time, it is also necessary to provide judgements and legal documents in the local language,” he said. India reaffirms commitment to equitable climate action at CoP30 in Brazil STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 8 November India has reiterated its consistent commitment to climate action based on equity, national circumstances, and the principles of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). Delivering India's National Statement at the Leaders’ Summit of the 30th Conference of the Parties (CoP30) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Belém in Brazil, Indian Ambassador to Brazil Dinesh Bhatia observed that the meet is an opportunity to reflect on the global response to the challenge of global warming. ''It is also an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of the Rio Summit, where the principles of Equity and CBDR-RC were adopted, laying the foundation for the international climate regime, including the Paris Agreement,'' he said. India welcomed Brazil’s NEW DELHI India clinch series 2-1 after rain washes out final T20I vs Australia PM Modi highlights strengthening legal aid and justice at national conference Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the critical role of accessible and timely justice as the foundation of social justice in India. “When justice is accessible for everyone, is timely, when justice reaches every individual without regard to social or financial background, only then does it become the foundation of social justice,” PM Modi said Saturday while addressing the National Conference on Strengthening | PMAY emerges as India’s template for the world Page 6 PM Modi to begin 2-day Bhutan visit on 11 November: KOLKATA Perspective Pune land deal scrapped; Ajit Pawar denies any role BRIEFLY | People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 initiative to establish the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), recognizing it as a significant step towards collective and sustained global action for the preservation of tropical forests, and joined the Facility as an Observer. Highlighting India’s low-carbon development path under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Mr. Bhatia noted that between 2005 and 2020, India reduced the emission intensity of its GDP by 36%, and this trend is expected to continue. Non-fossil power now accounts for over 50% of our installed capacity, enabling the country to reach the revised NDC target five years ahead of schedule, it noted. India's statement further underscored the country's expansion of forest and tree cover, and the additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent created between 2005 and 2021, along with India’s emergence as the world’s third-largest producer of renewable energy with nearly 200 GW of installed renewable capacity. Further, global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance now unite over 120 countries and promote affordable solar energy and South-South collaboration, it added. India emphasised that after 10 years of the Paris Agreement, NDCs of many nations fall short and while developing countries are taking decisive climate action, global ambition remains inadequate. The statement highlighted that, given the rapid depletion of the remaining carbon budget, developed countries must accelerate emission reductions and deliver the promised, adequate and predictable support. It was stressed that affordable finance, technology access and capacity-building are essential for implementing ambitious climate targets in developing countries. Equitable, predictable and concessional climate finance remain the cornerstone to achieve global climate goals, the statement added. India demonstrated readiness to collaborate with other nations to implement solutions and transition to sustainability in ways that are ambitious, inclusive, fair, and equitable, based on the principles of CBDR-RC and national circumstances. strong attack on the RJD, saying that on its platforms, innocent children are being made to say that they want to become “rangdaars” (local strongmen). “There is no place in Bihar now for those who make people say ‘hands up’. What Bihar needs are young people who dream of start-ups. Children of Bihar can no longer become ‘rangdaars’. Our children will become engineers, doctors, and lawyers,” he said. Modi told the people of Bihar that it is their collective responsibility to prevent the state from returning to ‘jungle raj’ and to continue its journey toward higher levels of development. “I remind you of this because where the rule of law ends, the poor, the deprived, and the oppressed suffer first. Where guns and extortion rule, the dreams of youth die. Where there is ‘goonda raj’ (rule of goons), shops shut down, and trade and business collapse,” he said. In Bettiah, Modi said that the rally marked the conclusion of his election campaign for the Bihar Assembly election. Parliament's Winter session to be held from December 1-19 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 8 November The government Saturday announced that the Winter Session of Parliament will be held from December 1 to December 19, marking the final legislative gathering of the year. Kiren Rijiju confirmed the dates on social media platform X, revealing that President has approved the government’s proposal for the session. He further expressed hope for a “constructive and meaningful Session that strengthens our democracy and serves the aspirations of the people.”