www.thestatesman.com | FOLLOW US: India’s National Newspaper since 1818 @TheStatesmanLtd | Pages 12 World | @thestatesmanltd ` 5.00 | People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR Perspective | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | 05 July 2026 S P O RT S The question that needs an answer Argentina survive Cape Verde’s fightback to reach last-16 Page 7 President Trump hails US exceptionalism before veering into darkly political speech to usher in America 250 Page 12 Page 9 BRIEFLY Online threat to PM Modi triggers probe ahead of Melbourne visit: Canberra: Just days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia, an online threat targeting the Indian leader has prompted an investigation by the Australian authorities. The probe was launched following a disturbing comment posted on social media in response to an event promoting PM Modi’s Melbourne visit beginning 8 July. The threatening comment surfaced beneath a social media post announcing the ‘Melbourne Meets Modi’ community event at Marvel Stadium on 9 July, The Australia Today reported on Saturday. Posted from an account with the user name Abu Mustafa, the comment said, “The rooftops of the stadium better close during the event, or he will be coming to Australia for his death.” Citing sources, The Australia Today reported that investigators have traced the IP address associated with the post during their investigation. Monsoon Session of Parl from 20 July to 13 August SHAHID K ABBAS New Delhi, 4 July T he Monsoon Session of Parliament will be held from 20 July to 13 August, with President Droupadi Murmu approving the government’s recommendation to summon both Houses, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced on Saturday. The nearly four-week session is scheduled to have 19 sittings and is expected to witness an intense legislative agenda. Announcing the schedule in a post on social media platform X, Mr Rijiju said: “On the recommendation of the Govt of India, Hon’ble President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji has approved the summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Monsoon Session 2026.” “The Session will commence on 20 July, 2026 and continue till 13 August, 2026 for meaningful debate, discussion and decisions on issues of National Importance,” he added. The announcement formally sets the stage for one of the most politically significant sessions of the year, with the National Democratic Alliance government expected to push forward an ambitious legislative agenda while the Opposition prepares to corner the Centre on a range of political and economic issues. Among the key legislative measures likely to be taken up is the reintroduction of the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill concerning women’s reservation and the delimitation exercise, which reportedly proposes a 50 per cent increase in the strength of the Lok Sabha. The government is also expected to introduce the 130th Constitution Amend- ment Bill, which seeks the automatic removal of ministers who remain in jail for more than 30 days, besides taking forward the proposed One Nation, One Election Bill. The session is also expected to witness discussions on pending legislation, financial business and policy matters, with the government likely to seek passage of several important bills. The political atmosphere is expected to be charged in the wake of recent developments within several regional parties, including defections in the All India Trinamul Congress, changes within the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the apparent falling out between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Indian National Congress. These developments are expected to influence parliamentary strategy and floor coordination during the session. Diplomacy, allies helped ‘New India’ weather West Asia war: PM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Balotra (Rajasthan), 4 July Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that balanced and proactive diplomacy, coupled with effective strategy and resource management, enabled India to tackle the crisis arising from the West Asia war and mitigate its adverse impact on the country’s people and economy. Addressing a public meeting at Pachpadra after inaugurating the first Greenfield oil refinery and other ultra-mega projects, the Prime Minister asserted: “The West Asia war has triggered the most severe energy crisis of the 21st century. However, the strategy, steps and efforts made by New India have overcome the biggest crisis of this century.” Praising New India’s resilience, capability and determination in overcoming difficult times, Mr Modi said: “West Asia Yudh Ki Vajah Se Poori Duniya Me Hahakar Macha Hai, Har Desh Trast Hai (The West Asia war has caused widespread disruption across the world, and every country is distressed). “However, the situation in India is different. Our balanced diplomacy, our friendship with many countries, and the strategy, efforts and resource management of New India have helped us overcome the biggest crisis of this century,” he said. “We took timely decisions, assessed the situation correctly, planned an effective strategy, utilised our diplomatic capabilities and succeeded,” the Prime Minister added. He said that India imports more than 60 per cent of its domestic LPG requirement, and about 90 per cent of those imports come from the Gulf region through the Strait of Hormuz. The war disrupted these supplies, placing the country on the verge of a major crisis. Without naming the Opposition, Mr Modi said: “Some groups and forces were busy spreading rumours and trying to worsen the situation. However, our management succeeded, leaving them disappointed and frustrated.” “At this juncture, our friendship with many countries also came to our rescue. Earlier, India imported LPG from about 25 to 26 countries. During this difficult period, we expanded imports to more than 40 countries,” he said. Mamata takes charge as Trinamul state MHA designates 23 more Pakistan-based president as Chandrima Bhattacharya quits individuals as ‘terrorists’ under UAPA STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 4 July Hours after Trinamul Congress state president Chandrima Bhattacharya resigned from her post, party chief Mamata Banerjee on Saturday stepped in to end a day of political uncertainty in Bengal by announcing that she herself would take charge as the party’s state president. Addressing party workers and supporters through a Facebook Live session in the evening, Miss Banerjee clarified that no new state president would be appointed. She said that along with her responsibilities as the party chairperson, she would now directly oversee the role of state president. “Subrata Bakshi is unwell, which is why Chandrima was given the responsibility temporarily. I will now handle the state president’s work myself,” Miss Banerjee said. She also announced major changes in the party organisation, naming Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra as the party’s two new state general secretaries. Earlier in the day, Chandrima Bhattacharya submitted her resignation as state president in a letter addressed to Miss Banerjee. Mrs Bhattacharya later said that she was hurt after Miss Banerjee allegedly questioned her over the entry of rebel MLAs into the party’s Metropolitan office on Friday. Asked whether she would return if contacted by Miss Banerjee, Chandrima said: “It is not a question of returning. When credibility itself comes under question, it becomes impossible to return to that place.” Without directly blaming her, Mamata Banerjee said: “Her son had already left earlier. She had been talking about resigning for a long time. I do not blame anyone.” However, she hinted at possible external pressures, adding: “Someone may have burdens or compulsions, but I will not bow my head. I will continue the fight.” The developments come amid unrest within the party after allegations members of the rebel faction took over the Trinamul office at Metropolitan on Friday. A complaint has already been filed at Pragati Maidan Police Station against several leaders over the incident. Despite the political crisis and internal rebellion, Miss Banerjee reaffirmed that the party’s 21 July programme would go ahead as planned. “The 21 July programme will be held. Police permission is still awaited, and the venue will be announced once approval is granted,” she said. • Related report: Page 3 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 4 July The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has designated 23 more individuals as ‘terrorists’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). They are linked to terror outfits such as Jaish-eMohammed (JeM), Harkat-ulMujahideen (HuM), Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT) and Jamaat-udDawa (JuD). Notably, of the 23 terrorists designated on Saturday, 17 are Pakistani nationals, while the remaining six are Indian nationals. All 23 individuals are currently operating terrorist networks and modules from across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). These designated terrorists have been involved in anti-India activities, including terror attacks, inciting terrorism, trafficking arms, facilitating cross-border infiltration, supporting terrorist organisations, and recruiting terrorists. Taking to the social media platform X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said: “Pursuing PM Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of zero tolerance against terror, the MHA today declared 23 dreaded terror functionaries affiliated with banned organisations as terrorists under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.” The newly designated individuals include Masood Ilyas Kashmiri (also known as Mufti Masood Ilyas, Masood Ilyas, Abu Mohammad or M. Masood Ilyas), a Pakistani national affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM); Mohammad Musaddiq (aliases Doctor, Abdul Mannan, Sajjad, Hamza and Wahid Khan), also a Pakistani national affiliated with JeM, who serves as the launching commander for the Lasiyakot sector and facilitates cross-border infiltration through tunnels; Mufti Mohammad Asghar Khan (aliases Abu Saad and Saad Jimiki), a Pakistani national affiliated with JeM who serves as the outfit's 'Amir' (chief) and head of its military wing in PoJK; Hafiz Abdul Shakoor (alias Qari Jarrar); Abdullah Jihadi (aliases Shahnawaz and Al-Hijama); Firdous Ahmad Bhat, an Indian national currently based in Pakistan and associated with Lashkare-Taiba; Ghulam Farid (alias Gulshan Kumar); Haroon Rashid Ganai (alias Shunu); Bilal Ahmed Mir (alias Ahmed Bhai); Abid Qayoom Lone; Nazir Ahmed Gujjar (alias Abu Manazil); Abdul Rauf (also known as Hafiz Abdul Rauf or Hafiz Abdur Rauf); Ashfaq Ahmed (alias Ishfaq Ahmed); Hafiz Khalid Waleed (aliases Hafiz Khalid Naik and Khalid Waleed); Maulana Imdad Ullah Makki (also known as Maulana Imdad, Imdad Bhai or Maulana Imdadullah); Maulana Saifullah Khalid (aliases Waliul, Mohammad Salim and Wajid); Mohammad Yaqoob (aliases Abu Sumama, Samama Ilyas and Waris Ali); Maulana Yusuf Taibi (alias Mohammad Yusuf); Owais Farooz (aliases Owais Ahmed Mir and Owais Farooz Mir); Qari Yaqub Sheikh (also known as Qari Mohammad Yaqub Sheikh, Yaqub Sheikh, Qari Sheikh Muhammad Yaqub and Mohammad Yaqub); Rana Iftikhar (also known as Rana Waleed Atif, Rana Iftikhar Haider, Rana Iftikhar Ahmed or Haider Khan); Wasim Noor Jat (alias Qari Wasim); and Mohammad Shahid Faisal (aliases Ustad, Muhandis and Zakir). Vaibhav Sooryavanshi becomes India’s youngest international at 15 TRIDIB BAPARNASH New Delhi, 4 July Just 15 years, three months and seven days. At an age when most teenagers are still figuring out school schedules and weekend plans, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi walked out in India's colours, becoming the youngest player ever to make an international appearance for the country. On Saturday at Old Trafford, the teenage batting sensation from Samastipur, Bihar, officially began what many believe could be one of Indian cricket's most extraordinary journeys. The youngster, who had already become one of the biggest talking points of the IPL with his fearless strokeplay, received his maiden India cap ahead of the second T20I against England. Vice captain Tilak Varma handed him the cap after an emotional address from head coach Gautam Gambhir, before the rest of the squad gathered around to congratulate the newest member of the Indian team. After announcing the team for the second T20I against England, India skipper Shreyas Iyer praised the teenager’s calm nature and his ability to stay grounded. “Vaibhav is absolutely ready and over the last few months he has shown his quality against world class bowlers. There was never any extra pressure in selecting him because he deserves his place in the squad,” Iyer said. “What stands out is his calm nature and the fact that he does not get overwhelmed by situations. The way he bats in the nets and takes on bowlers reflects the confidence and talent he possesses,” the skipper added. It was a moment that had Teenagers to make India debut Tests Sachin Tendulkar: 16 years 205 days Piyush Chawla: 17 years 75 days Laxman Sivaramakrishnan: 17 years 118 days Parthiv Patel: 17 years 152 days ODIs Sachin Tendulkar: 16 years 238 days Maninder Singh: 17 years 222 days Harbhajan Singh: 17 years 288 days Parthiv Patel: 17 years 301 days T20Is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: 15 years 99 days Washington Sundar: 18 years 80 days Rishabh Pant: 19 years 120 days Ishant Sharma: 19 years 152 days been building for weeks. Many felt Sooryavanshi could have debuted earlier after travelling with the squad for the Ireland series and sitting out the opening T20I against England in Durham. But India chose to be patient, allowing the teenager to settle into the environment before finally unleashing him on the international stage. When the opportunity finally arrived in Manchester, it felt less like a surprise and more like the next step in a journey that has gathered remarkable momentum over the past few months. His rise has been anything but ordinary. After grabbing attention in the IPL with his fearless approach against some of the world's best bowlers, Sooryavanshi carried that form into the India A tour of Sri Lanka. In the tri-series final at Dambulla, he produced another breathtaking innings that reinforced why he is regarded as one of the brightest batting talents in world cricket. The left-hander raced to the fastest fifty in List A cricket history, reaching the milestone in just 11 balls, and looked destined to rewrite another record before falling for a stunning 94 off only 29 deliveries. Even though he missed out on a century, the innings appeared to convince the selectors that he was ready for the next challenge. India have previously promoted teenage talents, but rarely someone this young and almost never under such intense public attention. By making his debut at 15 years, three months and seven days, Sooryavanshi has rewritten Indian cricket history. He surpassed Shafali Verma, who debuted for India in 2019 at 15 years and 239 days, to become the country's youngest-ever international cricketer. Among the men, he also eclipsed batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, whose debut at the age of 16 had remained the benchmark for teenage debuts for more than three decades. He now sits ahead of several iconic Indian names who entered international cricket as teenagers. Parthiv Patel made his debut at 17 years and 152 days during India’s tour of England in 2002, while Harbhajan Singh first played for India at 17 years and 288 days. Yuvraj Singh, another prodigy who went on to become one of India's greatest matchwinners, made his ODI debut at 18 years and 124 days. For Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, however, the real test begins now.