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 | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | SPORTS PERSPECTIVE Yash replaces injured Rana in India squads Just a talking shop? WORLD EDITORIAL Limits of faith China hopes for agreement with US on tariff reductions Page 7 Page 6 Page 10 Modi, Putin to meet ahead of BRICS NIKHIL VYAS WORLD LEADERS PARTICIPATING IN THE BRICS SUMMIT New Delhi, 10 September Brazil - Mauro Vieira (Minister of Foreign Affairs) China - Xi Jinping (President) Ethiopia - Abiy Ahmed Ali (Prime Minister) Egypt - Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (President) Indonesia - Prabowo Subianto (President) Iran - Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian (President) Russia - Vladimir Putin (President) P rime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi on Friday, with the two leaders likely to review progress in bilateral cooperation across key areas, including trade, economic cooperation, defence and energy, besides exchanging views on ongoing global issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war, conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region. The talks will be held a day ahead of the commencement of the 18th BRICS Summit, which will be held on 12-13 September at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi with the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” With world leaders starting to arrive in India ahead of the much-anticipated BRICS South Africa - Cyril Ramaphosa (President) Saudi Arabia - Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud (Minister of Foreign Affairs) UAE - Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council) Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 31 August. IANS FILE PHOTO Summit over the weekend, three Russian transport aircraft were spotted touching down at the Noida International Airport. Their arrival comes as Mr Putin is set to arrive on Friday in New Delhi to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit. Earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov detailed the expectations for the high-level engagement, confirming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with the Russian leader on 11 September. Speaking to reporters via a virtual briefing from Moscow, Mr Peskov said: “We're looking forward to the President and Prime Minister having another bilateral meeting during the visit. It is scheduled. It is scheduled for Friday, so first, like always, they will touch on the bilateral agenda. Trade and economic cooperation is a very wide scope.” Earlier on 31 August, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with the Russian President on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek. Reiterating that India continues to back all efforts towards achieving peace in Ukraine, the Prime Minister had asserted during the meeting Bengal CM targets Left over ‘anti-national’ activities at Jadavpur University STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 10 September West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched an unprecedented attack on the CPI-M, the Left Front and Jadavpur University andthe Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association (JUTA) over alleged “anti-national” activities at Jadavpur University, asserting that hisgovernment would not allow the premier institution to b ecome a platform foractivities against the country or Indian culture. Sp eakingduring the discussion on the West Bengal Universities and Colleges Administration and Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026, in the special session ofthe state Assembly, Mr Adhikari trained his guns on a section of left-leaningteachers and students at Jadavpur University and the Jadavpur UniversityTeachers’ Association (JUTA). Referring to the proposed legislation, the Chief Minister said Jadavpur University, which he described as an institution associated with Sri Aurobindo, was being sought to be developed as a “centre of excellence”. “TheCentre would provide Rs 1,000 crore for the purpose while the state government would contribute another Rs 300 crore. But in that university, you will takestudents out forcibly and say ‘Kashmir mange azaadi’ (Kashmir wants freedom)and ‘Bharat tere tukde honge’ (India will be broken into pieces). These things will not be allowed,” Mr Adhikari said. He also took direct aim at slogans and glorification associated with Maoist leader Kishenji. “You say ‘Red salute Comrade Kishenji’. He killed 1,000 innocent people and 30 innocent jawans in Silda camp. These Maoists planned to create a new country. Someone will glorify them ~ this government will not allow it,” the Chief Minister said. Mr Adhikari accused a section of professors of selectively targeting peoplewith nationalist views while using their left-wing identity tochallenge the elected state and central governments. “Essentially,in Jadavpur, a small section, wearing the garb of the Left, has become anti-national and antieducation. They have challenged the constitutionally elected state and central governments. This law was necessary to bring discipline,” he said. Mr Adhikari also issued a warning to JUTA members, saying the government was aware of their past activities. “We have the entire history of what the people of JUTA have done, when and where they played what role,” he said, referring to the organisation’s opposition to the legislation. He, however, said the government did not intend to use the proposed legislation as a means of targeting teachers or employees because of their past affiliations. “ The Left Front did Anil-isation of education and Trinamul did ‘Mamata-isation’. We will not do that but there will not be two education policies in the state” he said. “ Those who have any problem accepting it can quit,” he added. Instead, he suggested that experienced teachers and staff from established institutions could be transferred to newer and weaker universities to strengthen them. with Mr Putin that it is essential for the well-being of humanity to move from an endless war towards an end to the war. “As you know, India supports all efforts towards peace and will continue to do so. Every day spent in war pushes humanity backwards, while every step taken towards peace fills humanity with a new hope and enthusiasm. We must move from an endless war towards an end to the war. This is essential for the well-being of humanity,” PM Modi had said in his opening remarks at the meeting. New Delhi, 10 September Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for greater international cooperation to ensure that outer space remains safe, secure, peaceful and sustainable, inviting France and other countries to become India’s “co-travellers” in the next phase of space exploration and research. Addressing the first International Space Summit being held in Paris through video conference, Mr Modi said the rapid expansion of space activities, growing number of actors and increasingly powerful technologies made collective responsibility and multilateral cooperation imperative. Observing that space had inspired human imagination for centuries but had now become integral to life on Earth, Mr Modi said its influence extended from climate and agriculture to oceans and communities. “The promise of space is infinite, and our responsibility is collective,” he said, stressing that the international community needed to make clear choices as space became increasingly crowded. “Our choices must be clear: cooperation over confrontation, sustainability over short-term gain, and inclusion over exclusion,” the Prime Minister said. Mr Modi linked India’s approach to space cooperation with the civilisational philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, saying the principle should extend beyond the planet. He underlined India’s support for a rules-based and peaceful space environment, saying the future of space activities should be anchored in international law, dialogue and multilateral cooperation. “We support a safe, secure, peaceful and sustainable space domain anchored in international Page 12 Beijing confirms Xi Jinping to visit India for BRICS Summit ASHOK TUTEJA New Delhi, 10 September Lifting the suspense, China on Thursday announced that President Xi Jinping will visit India for the 18th BRICS Summit to be held in New Delhi on 12-13 September, marking his first trip to the country in seven years. ‘’At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi from 12 to 13 September,’’ the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson wrote on X. The visit takes place days after PM Modi and President Xi met at the SCO Summit in Bishkek. The visit will also provide the two leaders an opportunity to hold bilateral talks on a range of issues, including the complex boundary dispute and trade and economic cooperation, on the margins of the summit. Indications are that their bilateral meeting will be held on Saturday. The Chinese leader is expected to be accompanied by a large delegation comprising Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and other top leaders. President Xi last visited India in October 2019 for an informal summit with PM Modi at Mamallapuram near Chennai. But the India-Chins détente was shattered after Chinese PLA troops attempted to cross the LAC at multiple points in eastern Ladakh, leading to a tense military stand-off between the two countries. Tensions reached a crescendo B’desh PM likely to skip BRICS Summit STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 10 September Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is unlikely to attend the 18th BRICS Summit to be held in New Delhi on 12-13 September. Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir today said there is scope for Dhaka to send a government representative to the summit as PM Rahman was not invited to the summit and the invitation instead was extended to the BIMSTEC Chair. “How shall we go? Has anyone from the Bangladesh government been invited? Our Prime Minister was not invited. Who told you that our Prime Minister was invited? The BIMSTEC Chair was invited. Then why are you asking this question?” he was quoted as saying by the Bangladesh media, virtually ruling out the possibility of PM Rahman attending the summit. Mr Kobir said the PM’s first visit to India can’t be a PM Modi calls for global partnership in space STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Friday, 11 September 2026 law, dialogue and multilateral cooperation,” Mr Modi said, adding that scientific information should be used for the benefit of humanity. “Scientific data must serve the common good, with openness and integrity,” he said. The Prime Minister highlighted India’s space programme as an example of how space technology could be deployed for both scientific advancement and social development. He said the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had earned international recognition through its technological capabilities and cost-effective missions, while its applications were increasingly benefiting people on the ground. in June 2020 when the troops on the two sides were involved in hand-to-hand combat at the Galwan Valley. At least 20 Indian troops were killed in these clashes while China confirmed four casualties on its side. The incident brought the two countries to the brink of a full-fledged war. Since October 2024, the two countries have been reducing the massive build-up on the border under mutually agreed terms. It is debatable whether President Xi’s visit marks a thaw in bilateral ties but it appears that both countries are working toward normalising bilateral ties keeping in mind the volatile global environment. The visit comes days after top Indian and Chinese commanders met for the first time in the Arunachal Pradesh sector during two sessions held on both sides of the border as a follow-up to the recent meetings between the Special Representatives (SRs) of the two countries on the border dispute. SC takes serious note of alleged intimidation of 14-year-old girl STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 10 September BANGLADESH STATE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS HUMAIUN KOBIR ON THURSDAY SAID THERE IS SCOPE FOR DHAKA TO SEND A GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SUMMIT AS PM RAHMAN WAS NOT INVITED TO THE SUMMIT AND THE INVITATION INSTEAD WAS EXTENDED TO THE BIMSTEC CHAIR. multilateral visit. The government, he said, is working on arranging a bilateral visit to India when the timing is conducive. India invited the Bangladesh leader to attend the summit as the BIMSTEC Chair even as a separate bilateral invitation has been in place since February this year. The current tension between the two countries stems from the presence of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India. Bangladesh has been insisting that India extradite Sheikh Hasina while New Delhi says Dhaka’s request is being considered. The Supreme Court on Thursday took serious note of allegations that a 14-year-old girl associated with the CJP protests was intimidated and that stones were allegedly pelted at her residence. A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said allegations involving threats to a minor could not be ignored and emphasised that no one could be allowed to intimidate a victim or her family for pursuing criminal proceedings. The CJI, taking serious note of the allegation, said: “If there are anti-social elements who indulged in violence against a child, and they are roaming free, and are trying to browbeat the child, that may be a serious thing. Cause is justified. There can’t be a second opinion.” ‘Discussions advance on special constitutional framework for Ladakh’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Srinagar, 10 September The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to deliberate and reach consensus on around 8-10 key issues concerning the proposed political architecture of Ladakh before the drafting of a constitutional amendment under Article 371. Addressing a press conference, Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, who was part of the Sub-Committee meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, said the discussions had moved forward on the proposal to create a Union Territory-level elected body under a special constitutional framework for Ladakh. Mr Kundra said the proposed model would give Ladakh an elected body with legislative, executive and financial powers, with direct elections agreed upon in principle, but its exact powers and relationship with the LAHDCs were yet to be finalised. He said the representatives of LAB and KDA had agreed that elections to the proposed UT-level body should be held directly through constituencies rather than indirectly through the Ladakh Autonomous Hill DevelopmentCouncils(LAHDCs). “There are certain questions regarding the relationship between the LAHDCs and the UT-level body, what powers will come under the jurisdiction of the LAHDCs and what powers will come under the UT-level body,” Mr Kundra said. He said a list of around 8-10 questions had been shared with the leaders who attended the meeting and they had been asked to deliberate on them, consult among themselves and with the people and convey their views to the Centre. He said the next meeting between the Centre and Ladakh representatives would be held in the first half of October, with the aim of moving towards a draft after consensus was reached on the basic principles. Mr Kundra said the Centre did not want to impose any model on Ladakh that was not acceptable to its people. “Before preparing a document, there has to be agreement on the principles. Legal drafting of the Bill will follow once there is agreement on those principles,” he said.