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 | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI Xi, Putin sign joint declaration on ‘multipolar world’ PERSPECTIVE A Japanese lesson India must learn Page 14 Viral frontiers Page 8 BRIEFLY UN cuts India’s 2026 growth forecast to 6.4 per cent amid West Asia crisis: New Delhi: The United Nations has lowered India’s economic growth forecast for 2026 to 6.4 per cent from its earlier estimate of 6.6 per cent, citing rising global uncertainty and economic disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis. In its latest report released on Tuesday, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs said the conflict in West Asia has emerged as another major shock for the global economy, slowing growth momentum, reviving inflationary pressures, and increasing uncertainty across markets. Despite the downgrade, India is expected to remain among the world’s fastest-growing major economies. The report noted that escalating geopolitical tensions are impacting economies through higher energy prices, trade disruptions, and tighter financial conditions. Page 10 Page 16 India, Italy elevate ties; Modi, Meloni deepen cooperation across key sectors SHAHID K ABBAS PM Modi conferred FAO’s highest honour, Agricola Medal, in Rome: New Delhi, 20 May I ndia and Italy on Wednesday elevated their bilateral relationship to the level of a “Special Strategic Partnership” as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held high-level talks in Rome focused on expanding cooperation in trade, defence manufacturing, technology, clean energy, connectivity and global security. Addressing a joint Press briefing after the talks, Prime Minister Modi said the growing frequency of engagement between the two leaders reflected the deepening trust and strategic alignment between New Delhi and Rome. “Over the past nearly three-and-a-half years, I have had several opportunities to meet Prime Minister Meloni. This reflects the close cooperation and harmony between India and Italy,” Mr Modi said, New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the prestigious Agricola Medal by the Food and Agriculture Organization during a special ceremony held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome on Wednesday, marking a significant international recognition of India’s efforts in agricultural transformation, food security, and sustainable farming. adding: “Under her leadership, our relations have gained new momentum, new direction, and renewed confidence. I am pleased that we are announcing a Special Strategic Partnership as we upgrade our ties”. The announcement marks a significant step in India’s expanding engagement with Europe at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments and growing emphasis on resilient supply chains, strategic manufacturing and trusted NIKHIL VYAS New Delhi, 20 May technology partnerships. Mr Modi said the two countries would combine Italy’s strength in design and precision engineering with India’s scale and innovation capabilities to jointly serve global markets. The talks covered a wide range of sectors, including defence cooperation, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, clean energy, logistics, shipping and infrastructure development. Mr Modi said the India-Italy were “traitors” who had worked to “sell India”. Reacting sharply to the remarks, the BJP chief said, “Rahul Gandhi’s statement today is very unfortunate and reflects his anarchist mentality.” “Whenever you (Rahul Gandhi) have insulted PM Modi, the people of the country have made him victorious,” he added. “I believe that in Indian politics, where there should be decency, social harmony, and mutual respect, such a statement is extremely unfortunate. Continuous defeats and frustration are reflected in his behaviour and character, and this helplessness and frustration are now coming out in the form of such remarks,” Mr Nabin said. Further attacking the Congress leader, the BJP chief said: “Rahul Gandhi ji, your ancestors always mortgaged the land and conscience of this country. They never worked to boost the morale of our soldiers.” Mr Nabin asserted that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the country had become safer and the confidence of its people had strengthened. “Under the leadership of our illustrious Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the nation’s borders have become secure and the confidence of the people has grown stronger,” he said. Questioning the Leader of the Opposition over his choice of words, Mr Nabin asked, “Is ending Naxalism an act of treason? Can protecting the country be called betrayal?” Ganga water talks in focus as B’desh ratchets up demands, sends tech team to Farakka JAYANTA ROY CHOWDHURY Kolkata, 20 May A Bangladeshi delegation flew into the city Wednesday for a meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission and a visit to the Farakka barrage where the flow of the Ganges is measured as it bifurcates into the Bhagirathi-Hooghly to meander towards Kolkata. The meeting, just months ahead of the expiry of the 30-year Ganges Water Sharing Treaty in December this year, assumes significance as the political discourse in Dhaka over water sharing with India has taken a stormy turn. Earlier this week, the ruling BNP’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir warned that the future of India-Bangladesh relations would depend significantly on the outcome of Ganges negotiations, reflecting his party’s “expectations and needs”. Gujarat Titans eye top-two finish as Chennai Super Kings fight for survival Page 9 Rahul Gandhi’s ‘traitor’ remark against PM Modi reflects his ‘anarchist mentality’: Nitin Nabin Hitting back strongly at Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his “traitor” remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Nitin Nabin on Wednesday said the Congress leader’s statement reflected his “anarchist mentality”. Calling Rahul Gandhi’s statement “unfortunate”, the BJP chief said: “You (Rahul Gandhi) have not only insulted Narendra Modi ji, but also the 140 crore people of this country.” Mr Nabin’s strong reaction came after the Congress leader, while addressing a rally in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah Thursday, 21 May 2026 SPORTS WORLD EDITORIAL | “India and Bangladesh usually jointly measure water flows at the outset of the dry season. It's an ongoing process. However, what is worrying is this tendency of Bangladeshi leaders to take strong pre-decided stands even before real talks begin on renewing the treaty. It defeats the purpose of negotiations if you start taking rigid postures,” said Veena Sikri, former High Commissioner to Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi delegation is being led by Joint Rivers Commission member Md Anwar Kadir and includes senior representatives from Bangladesh’s Water Resources Ministry, Foreign Ministry and hydrological agencies, underlining the importance Dhaka attaches to the upcoming discussions. While officially the meetings are routine technical consultations, they come at a strategically delicate moment. Officials on both sides have already begun preliminary discussions on renewal. However, analysts suggest that a comprehensive renegotiation may prove difficult under current political circumstances, making a temporary extension a more likely short-term outcome. Ms Sikri pointed out that the Ganges water treaty “could not be viewed in isolation” and a host of treaties and relations including connectivity and trade needed to be considered in tandem. Indian officials also believe that the Ganges treaty which shared the flow at Farakka headwaters on a 50:50 basis, needs an overhaul as the glacial melt which gives the Ganges its waters has reduced even as downstream demand for water has shot up with population exploding on both sides of the border. Defence Industrial Roadmap had opened avenues for co - development and co production in the defence sector, indicating a stronger push toward industrial collaboration. The two leaders also exchanged views on major international developments, including the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, while reaffirming their support for dialogue and diplomacy. “We have remained in constant contact regarding Ukraine, West Asia, and other tensions. India’s position is clear that all problems should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,” Mr Modi said. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Rome on Tuesday night on the final leg of his five-nation tour and was accorded a ceremonial military honour ahead of his formal talks with Ms Meloni. The Italian Prime Minister hosted Mr Modi for dinner shortly after his arrival and accompanied him on a visit to the Colosseum, underscoring the warm personal rapport between the two leaders. • PM Modi’s Rome visit blends candy diplomacy with cultural charm: Page 5 IMD issues orange alert for Delhi amid severe heatwave conditions New Delhi: The Weather Department has issued an orange alert for the national capital for the coming days, forecasting heat-wave conditions at many places and a likelihood of a severe heat wave at isolated places. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), sustained strong surface winds reaching 15-25 km/h, occasionally gusting to 35 km/h during the day, are also expected. As per the significant weather features shared by the weatherman, “Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions very likely to occur during next two days and heat wave conditions very likely thereafter”.