AV 10th May 2025 by Asian Business Publications Ltd

Diaspora celebrates Tagore’s timeless relevance P04

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South Asian-led businesses shine at 2025 King’s Awards for Enterprise P12

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7-year-old Vandan Patel named member of American Mensa P22

UK AND INDIA SIGN LANDMARK FREE TRADE DEAL

Rupanjana Dutta

The UK and India have finally signed the much anticipated and significant trade deal which delivers on the mission of growing economy, raising living standards, and putting money in people s pockets in the UK The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations that had started in January 2022, during the Tory government, has now been concluded on renewed terms by the Labour government, within one year of them taking office

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held final talks in London last week after relaunching negotiations only two months ago Negotiators across both sides have worked around the clock since February to get this deal done, which is the biggest and most economically significant bilateral trade deal the UK has done since leaving the EU, and the best deal India has ever agreed

restraint, both in the choice of targets and

threats without provoking broader conflict

A Statement from the Indian Armed Forces stated, “Earlier today, the Indian

directly involved in planning and executing attacks against India A total of nine sites were precisely struck. These actions were focused, measured, and non-escalatory, with no Pakistani military facilities targeted

Prime Minister Keir Starmer accepts PM Narendra

Shah Rukh Khan makes glamorous Met Gala debut

Full story on page 31

At the negotiation table: Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and UK’s Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds with respective teams

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Nigel Farage celebrates after Reform UK’s local election sweep

Migrant crossings hit 11 ,000 mark earlier

than ever in 2025

Ho me Off ice d ata

On Wednesday alone, 294 people made the journey in f ive small boats, fol-

l o w i n g 4 7 3 a r r i v a l s o n Monday That surge pushed the total for 2025 to 10,358 e a r l i e r t h i s w e e k T h i s marks the second time in

r e c e n t d a y s a s i g n i f i c a n t milestone has been reached

f a s t e r t h a n i n p r e v i o u s years

4 6

more people A spokesperson said the government is stepping up border security, strengthening enforcement powers, and enhanci

I N B R I E F UK PLANS VISA LIMITS FOR SELECT NATIONALITIES

same point in 2024 (7,567)

a n d 8 6 % h i g h e r t h a n i n 2023 (5,946) According to T h e Te l

under Prime Minister Keir

Conser vative leaders except Liz Truss

In comparison, 10,000 crossings were not recorded until May 24 in 2024 and June 17 in 2023 The 11,000 mark was passed on June 6 last year and on June 23 the year before So far in just four days, 1,436 migrants have crossed the Channel The 2025 f igure is now

attributed to calmer weathe

Social care reform timetable stretches over a decade

The f ir st phase of Labour’s social ca re reform will n ot be compl eted until 2036, under a t im e l i n e s e t b y t h e

Trea sur y to avoid immediate spending increases Baroness Casey, leading t h e i n d e p e n d e n t c o m m i s -

sion, has been told to deliver pragmatic recommendations next year to shape a phased, decade-long rollout of a proposed “national care ser vice ” Ministers have directed Casey to work within current f iscal constraints and

e x i s t i n g f u n d i n g fo r l o c a l

a u t h o r i t y a n d N H S- l i n ke d adult social care, ruling out r e q u e s t s fo r a d d i t i o

consultations this week, following months of preparation A second report is due in 2028, focusing on longterm reform and alternative care models Off icials say the

with a forthcoming ten-year N H S s t

Labour for delaying reform and assigning Casey a second major review into grooming gangs Age UK and the King’s Fund warned that postpon-

efforts to ease NHS pressures and improve care qual-

Streeting initially backed the review, but insiders say the Treasur y resisted over cost concerns

HINDU CENTRE - (EAST LONDON)

Radha Krishna Temple, 5/7 Cedars Road, Stratford, London E15 4NE Tel: 07859 057 598

RESIDENT MINISTER OF RELIGION

Job description: Priest to perform all poojas, ceremonies, Weddings & Funerals, give pervachans, participate in festivals and cultural activities. Attend the school classes visiting the Temple. Should have the ability to get on with everyone.

Salary + Accommodation, other amenities and benefits come to £1700 pm

RESIDENT RELIGIOUS WORKER

Job description: Conduct the Temple’s regular services: bathing the deities, changing their clothes, maintaining the sacred Altar. When needed, perform Arti, tie coloured thread on devotee’s hand, put tilak on their forehead. Should have the ability to get on with everyone.

Salary + Accommodation, other amenities and benefits come to £1700 pm

glers increasing the number of passengers per boat The Telegraph reports that the average number of people per vessel has risen to 55 under Starmer, compared to 48 under Rishi Sunak

Johnson

The Home Off ice said

vessel seizures have pushed

Secretar y Chris Philp criticised Labour’s handling of the crisis, accusing the government of having “absolutely no plan to stop these crossings” and condemning

scheme

“

dered our borders to the people smugglers,” he said T

e released as voters headed to the polls in local electionsthe f irst electoral test for L

election win in July 2024

Rachel Reeves under fire over undeclared gifts

Chancell or Rach el Reeves is u nd er in

comm

ner after f ailing to dec

lim it

Reeves and three family

mentar y tickets worth £276 from the National Theatre fo r a p e r fo r m a n c e o n December 27, believed to be Ballet Shoes She was also given two tickets valued at £265 69 to see Nye, a play

March 15 last year

Un d

y rules, MPs must declare hosp

y appeared in the parliamentar y register of interests last month well beyond the

deadline

It i s u n d e r s t o o d t h a t

Reeves did report the tickets in the ministerial register of interests at the time, but due t o a n a d m i n i s t r a t i v e o v e rsight, they were not included in the parliamentar y register A s p o ke s p e r s o n fo r t h e Chancellor said her “interests are fully declared and up to date ”

The UK is planning to restrict visa applications from nationalities considered more likely to overstay or claim asylum The Times has reported Countries that may be affected include Pakistan Nigeria and Sri Lanka with the changes expected to be outlined in the forthcoming Immigration White Paper The move comes as the government seeks to cut net migration Labour which promised to reduce numbers in its manifesto has argued that failure to manage migration reduces the incentives for businesses to train locally A Home Office spokesperson said steps are being taken to build intelligence on individuals who may abuse work and study visas to claim asylum later Where we detect trends that undermine immigration rules, we will not hesitate to act, the spokesperson added Recent figures show a 37% drop in visa applications for work , study, and family routes over the past year falling from 1 24 million to 7 72 ,200 following stricter migration policies introduced in early 2024 by the former Conservative government

STUDY FLAG S UK’S RESTRICTIVE VOTER REGISTRATION RULES

The UK has one of the most complex voter registration systems among liberal democracies, according to University of Manchester research across 62 countries Strict registration deadlines, the need for active sign-up, and limited polling station access make the UK a “real outlier ” globally Labour is considering automatic voter registration as part of a proposed democracy bill ahead of the next election In the UK, voters must actively register, but under proposed automatic registration, the electoral roll could be compiled from existing records like tax or passport data Campaigners argue this would enfranchise millions particularly younger, poorer, and privately renting individuals Critic s say voter ID rules introduced by the Conservatives further restrict access University of Manchester research found the UK Ireland and Barbados have the most difficult registration processes among 28 liberal democracies

LONDON SEES DIP IN LEVEL 2 MATHS AND ENGLISH SUCCESS

New Department for Education figures show a decline in Maths and English attainment in London though students in the capital still outperform those in other regions A teaching union warned that "long-standing gaps and regional disparities" persist urging more support to help pupils recover lost learning In the 2023–24 academic year 76% of students across England achieved a level 2 qualification in English and maths down from 78% the previous year In London, 79% met the standard, slightly lower than last year s 81%, but well above 2013–14 s 69% The pandemic s exam cancellations make comparisons challenging Sarah Hannafin of the NAHT highlighted ongoing regional gaps and called for more investment in schools, teacher retention, social care, and mental health In London, Kingston led with 88% attainment, while Lewisham had the lowest at 71% Girls outperformed boys (82% vs 76%), and 78% of pupils on free school meals met the benchmark , compared to 90% of others

Shabana Mahmood slams criticism of court's gender ruling

Ju st ic e S ec reta r y S h a ban a M ah m o o d h as st ro ng l y d efen d ed th e Su p re m e Court’s ruling on the def inition of sex, calling it “abso-

lu t ely u n ac ce p tab le” for p oli tic ians to qu esti on its leg itimacy

A d d r e s s i n g t h e Jo i n t C o m m i t t e e o n Hu m a n

Rights, she said the judges had fulf illed their duty by u n a n i m o u s l y c o n f i r m i n g that “ woman ” and “ sex ” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex “The court provided legal clarity, which is exactly its role,” she said “It i s d i s a p p o i n t i n g t h a t some have sought to cast aspersions on the Supreme Court’s authority ” Her remarks follow criticism from several Labour MPs and other politicians

G r e e n M S P M a g g i e C h a p m a n a c c u s e d t h e judges of “bigotr y, ” and four

L a b o u r M Ps C h a r l o t t e

Ni c h o l s , K a t e O s b o r n e ,

Ol i v i a Bl a ke , a n d Na d i a W h i t t o m e s i g n e d a pledge denouncing the ruling as “divisive” and aff irming that lesbian and trans rights are not in conflict Mahmood said the UK’s

policy on transgender prisoners remains largely unaf-

Rachel Reeves

Baroness Louise Casey

Shabana Mahmood

As Britain builds abroad, wealth flees at home

Last week, Asian Voice interviewed a leading economist on the British economy ’ s outlook He observed that “ progress may take time, but the direction is promising”, a sentiment that has been reinforced by the latest strides in the UK–India partnership

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal have finalised a landmark trade deal under the government’s Plan for Change Once in force, it is expected to add £4 8 billion to UK GDP, boost wages by £2 2 billion, and increase bilateral trade by £25 5 billion each year putting money into people’s pockets and driving sustainable growth

Simultaneously, under Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, the UK has signed a Cultural Cooperation Agreement with India to strengthen economic and cultural ties This agreement will open fresh avenues for the UK’s arts and creative industries, tourism, and sports sectors, fostering exchanges that enrich communities on both sides Together, these twin pacts paint a promising future

However, while the UK is making gains through international cooperation, domestic tax policy threatens to undermine this momentum Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s overhaul of the non-domicile (non-dom) tax status is facing mounting criticism Although intended to raise revenues, analysis by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) suggests the opposite may occur If just half of non-doms choose to leave the UK, the Treasury could lose up to £12 2 billion during this Parliament Even if only 25% leave, the policy would fail to generate any additional revenue

Alarmingly, signs of an exodus are already evident The UK lost 10,800 millionaires last year, double the number in

2023 Analysts warn that up to 500,000 wealthy individuals may relocate by 2028 due to the changes While non-doms don’t pay tax on foreign income, their domestic investments and spending have long benefited the UK economy Their departure could erode the very tax base the policy seeks to expand

Beyond the fiscal implications lies an equally critical concern: the loss of entrepreneurial talent Many non-doms are not only high earners but also innovators and investors whose skills and networks contribute significantly to the UK economy Can Britain afford to permanently lose this calibre of enterprise?

These developments come at a time when the UK economy is already under strain Public debt has reached nearly 100% of GDP, inflation remains persistent, and GDP growth is slower than projected The impact of global factors such as Donald Trump’s tariff adds further uncertainty to UK exports

While the government’s efforts to plug fiscal gaps are understandable, tax policy must strike a careful balance

Overburdening high-contributing taxpayers risks harming long-term economic stability That said, as Rachel Reeves reviews the future of the non-dom tax regime, there is also a responsibility on the part of millionaires and billionaires to show greater loyalty to the country that helped build their wealth In countries like the United States and India, the wealthy often contribute significantly to research, innovation, and philanthropy a shining example of which is Ratan Tata

In contrast, the relatively low number of British Asian names featured in The Times Giving List each year raises important questions about community engagement and giving back

Modi’s India built on vision and backed by teamwork

In politics, it's common for citizens to question the capabilities of ageing leaders, often fearing that age may hinder their judgment or decision-making abilities However, this sentiment does not apply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will turn 75 in September 2025

Despite his age, Modi continues to command immense respect and admiration from the Indian public There has been much speculation about his possible retirement as he approaches this milestone, but those rumours have been firmly put to rest Not only has Modi shown no signs of slowing down, but the overwhelming sentiment among citizens is that they do not want him to step aside They continue to place their trust in his leadership and vision for the future

In fact, according to a 2024 survey by Morning Consult, Modi consistently ranks among the world's most popular leaders, with an approval rating of over 69 per cent His leadership is widely credited for India’s economic growth, digital transformation, and enhanced global standing Millions of citizens remain confident in his ability to guide India toward even greater achievements in the coming years

More than a political leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has built a strong, future-focused foundation for India’s growth across multiple sectors Under his leadership, India has significantly elevated its global standing by prioritizing key economic and strategic goals His active diplomacy has positioned the country as a major global player, pushing forward bilateral trade agreements and reducing dependence on any one market With the economy surpassing $4 trillion in GDP in 2024 making India the fifth-largest economy in

the world the government now aims to double foreign trade to $2 trillion by 2030

Transformative initiatives like the ‘Make in India’ campaign to boost investment and innovation, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to improve sanitation, reflect Modi’s ambitious governance model The creation of NITI Aayog marked a shift in development planning, while Jan Dhan Yojana became one of the world’s largest financial inclusion drives His recent launch of the 'Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047' underscores a long-term strategy for strengthening India’s blue economy Modi’s ability to engage with citizens and address emerging challenges from AI to climate change cements his image as a leader grounded in tradition yet focused on the future

Importantly, Modi’s legacy also includes the cultivation of a competent and dynamic leadership team While many Indians believe he should continue leading the country, it is evident that he has successfully built a government of capable ministers who can carry his vision forward

It is no longer just about Modi and Amit Shah, India now has a solid bench of skilled leaders managing key portfolios in external affairs, defence, finance, infrastructure, health, technology, and more This depth of governance ensures that the policies and momentum established under Modi’s leadership will continue to drive India’s progress With a foundation laid for long-term growth and a new generation of experienced leaders ready to step up, the future of India remains bright whether under Modi’s continued leadership or the stewardship of the strong team he has built

Can Pakistan afford a war with India?

As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate in Jammu and Kashmir, the world holds its breath, hoping the two nuclear powers will avoid a full-scale war Yet, if the conflict intensifies, the consequences for Pakistan could be catastrophic

In the wake of India’s actions regarding the Indus Water Treaty following the Pahalgam massacre, Pakistan swiftly countered with its own narrative Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened the National Security Committee, denouncing India’s actions as an act of war Pakistan declared the Simla Accord void, closed its airspace to India, and ramped up its rhetoric However, beneath this fiery discourse lies mounting anxiety within Pakistan’s leadership

A prolonged escalation in tensions could further strain Pakistan’s already fragile economy, which is struggling to meet its external debt obligations Moody’s warned on May 5 that this would put immense pressure on the country’s foreign-exchange reserves, which are far below the level required to service its debts Pakistan is already struggling to manage its annual debt repayments, and a war with India could further destabilise the economy This situation is concerning not only for Pakistan but also for China, which recently extended a $2 billion debt rollover to the country

Over the past fifty years, Pakistan’s economic potential has steadily diminished, and it has sunk into one of South Asia’s poorest nations Chronic fiscal and external deficits have fuelled rising public debt, increased servicing costs, frequent foreign exchange shortages, and a continual economic crisis Meanwhile, India has emerged as the world’s fastestgrowing major economy during this period, highlighting the stark contrast between the two nations

By December 2024, Pakistan’s foreign debt had surpassed $131 billion, according to CEIC data The country has already borrowed over $3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in both FY23 and FY24 to manage the crisis Currently, its foreign exchange reserves are only enough to cover just over three months’ worth of import bills

Although sustained tensions with India may not significantly disrupt India’s economic activity, given that its trade with Pakistan represents less than 0 5% of total exports, the situation could still impact India’s fiscal health Increased defence spending in response to the regional instability could hinder India’s fiscal consolidation efforts, straining its financial position

In the event of war, India’s $79 billion defence budget and 1 46 million active troops far exceed Pakistan’s $7 6 billion and 700,000 With superior military assets, India holds a decisive edge Unable to match India’s strength, Pakistan relies on asymmetric warfare and early nuclear use, though RAND analysts warn that tactical nukes only escalate conflicts, not resolve them

This brings us to a critical question: who would fund a potential war? The reality is, no one would While Pakistan’s military may prepare for conflict, its economy is teetering on the brink of collapse A state cannot sustain a war solely on the strength of power projection; it needs credit, credibility, and currency resources that Pakistan is severely lacking As the generals draw battle lines, financial institutions are quietly setting red lines of their own Ultimately, the real question may not be whether Pakistan can fight a war, but whether it can afford to do so

Thought for the week

"Service without humility is selfishness and egotism " - Mahatma Gandhi

UK India Trade and Tirades

The image of the week for me was of the Englishman in Hyde Park’s speaker’s corner speaking with a very English accent, waving an Indian flag in one hand and sipping a drink in the other, facing a tirade of shouting Pakistanis

One man, the son of St George, just using British liberties to say he supports India, a fellow liberal secular democracy and not the theocratic home of terror which is Pakistan As I’ve written here many times before and stated on the BBC, I worked in the US Congress when my Congressman was lobbying the US State Department and White House to have Pakistan declared a terrorist state And I can tell that was not with any support of the Indian Embassy in Washington (they didn’t have a lobbying budget back then) Anyway, 15 years later Bin Laden was found in Pakistan Point proven It was work My job for Hon Eliot Engel

Moving on to the UK India Free Trade Agreement, if as is reported it happens very soon, then I expect the UK PM will be in India to hail it and officially sign it Perhaps a trip to Kashmir too?

One area I work on is AI and my recent visit to the US and India fills me with joy

AI on the Indo-British Innovation Highway: How Indian Capital is Powering UK Artificial Intelligence

Start with the money Indian IT giant Wipro set the tone in 2021 with a $1 45 billion acquisition of Capco, a London-based fintech consultancy The deal was no vanity purchase it gave Wipro instant access to Europe’s toptier financial clients and a significant AI-driven consulting footprint By marrying Wipro’s engineering muscle with Capco’s domain expertise, the deal created a potent force in digital banking, analytics, and automated decision-making Next, Tech Mahindra another Indian heavyweight a c q u i r e d b o u t i q u e U K e - c o m m

Websites in a £9 4 million deal to sharpen its AI-powered customer experience offerings Add in a smattering of £10–£50 million investments from mid-tier Indian players like Mphasis, HCL, and CtrlS, and the picture becomes clearer: the UK is the new AI R&D sandbox for Indian IT

Then there’s TCS, India’s largest tech firm, partnering with Scotland’s National Robotarium Their joint research initiative is tackling real-world challenges in soft robotics, human-robot interaction, and AI for healthcare bringing together TCS’s global reach with the UK’s university-led innovation engine No cash changed hands in an M&A sense, but the partnership is arguably more valuable: it exemplifies how shared R&D can become a force multiplier for both economies

AI’s footprint in Indo-UK collaboration isn’t limited to boardrooms The UK-India bilateral innovation framework, refreshed in 2023, saw both governments pledge over £16 million in joint R&D funds explicitly earmarked for artificial intelligence, responsible tech, and data-driven healthcare This includes an STFC-led programme on AI skills development, co-funded by India’s Department of Atomic Energy

Why the AI focus? For India, the UK offers access to cutting-edge research institutions, a sandbox regulatory environment, and a gateway to Europe For the UK, Indian firms bring not just capital but scale huge development teams, real-world deployment experience, and increasingly, venture capital for British AI startups It’s not just outsourcing anymore; it’s co-development

Consider Serum Institute of India, which committed £240 million to the UK to fund AI-enabled medical drone R&D and vaccine trials Or the BP–Infosys partnership, where British energy know-how meets Indian AI to tackle sustainability and net-zero goals

This isn’t a one-way street The UK is keen to learn from India’s data-led approaches to public health and fintech Meanwhile, the nascent UK-India AI Partnership is shaping how both nations think about ethics, regulation, and cross-border AI deployment

The AI bridge between London and Bengaluru is no longer theoretical It’s being built, deal by deal, code by code In a world where tech is geopolitics, the Indo-UK AI alliance may turn out to be far more consequential than tariffs or trade barriers The future of intelligence artificial and strategic might just have a curry-and-crumpet flavour

The one solitary man waving the Indian flag in Hyde Park’s Speaker’s corner actually speaks for thousands of us in the UK flying the British and Indian flags together We make this relationship soar The ‘other side’ from across the border makes it sore

Alpesh Patel

Political Sketchbook

UK Parliament condemns K

A S H M I R T E R R O R A T T A C K

T h e UK P a rl i am en t th i s week strongly condemned

t h e t er ro ri s t a tt ac k i n

P ah algam, Kash mir, wh ich killed 2 6 innocent to urists

o n April 22

In a statement to the H o u s e o f C o m m o n s ,

F o r e i g n O f f i c e M i n i s t e r Hamish Falconer affirmed, “A terrible terrorist attack has been perpetrated, and India has our full support in going after the perpetrators ” The statement came in

r e s p o n s e t o a n U r g e n t

Question titled ‘Kashmir: Increasing Tension’, raised

b y S m e t h w i c k M P Gurinder Singh Josan He called for clarity on the UK government’s response to the attack and its efforts to maintain calm both in the region and among diaspora communities in Britain

S h a d o w F o r e i g n

S e c r e t a r y P r i t i P a t e l

p r e s s e d f o r a n s w e r s o n possible cross-border links

“ A r e t h e G o v e r n m e n t

aware of any connections to Pakistan among the perpetrators? Given that such attacks often coincide with h i g h - p r o f i l e U S v i s i t s t o India, is this coincidence or part of a deliberate pattern?” she asked She also

u r g e d a c t i o n t o p r e v e n t tensions from spilling over within the UK, particularly around diplomatic premises

W h i l e M i

Falconer declined to discuss intelligence specifics, h e c o n f i

U K agencies are investigating

threatens global peace We are playing our part to prevent further escalation,” he said Emphasising the UK's r o l e a s a f r

warned against community divisions in Britain

“British Pakistanis and British Indians are valued parts of our society We call on all faith and community

leaders to reinforce unity, not replicate tensions from abroad on our streets ”

The BBC’s description of the incident as “militancy ” was also criticised House o f Lords ech oes call fo r de- escalatio

House of Lords addressed the Kashmir situation, with peers echoing calls for calm and community cohesion

Speaking on behalf of

Collins reaffirmed UK support for the UN Security Council’s condemnation of the attack “We are engaging with British Pakistani and Indian communities to reinforce unity and ensure c

this difficult time,” he said

Baroness Sandy Verma, a Conservative peer from Leicester, raised concerns over a Pakistani diplomat’s

demonstrators outside the

London High Commission She called for a clear gov-

such incitement

“The UK must make it clear that such gestures are unacceptable In cities like mine, communities of all

together to denounce this violence,” she said

Collins condemned all acts of vandalism or incitement and urged all demonstrators to protest peacefully and lawfully “We will continue to communicate this at every level diplomatic a l l y a n d t h r o u g h l o c a l community engagement ”

Lord Krish Raval asked what it meant in practice for the UK to stand “shoulder to shoulder with India” following the attacks Lord Collins said the UK would work with both regional and international partners to create the conditions for d i a l o g u e a n d d e - e s c a l ation

MPs push Lammy for action on British prisoner in India

Jagtar Singh Joh al, a British S ikh m an held in India for seven years, was denied bail w hen th e Ind ian S uprem e C ourt deferred his case, possibly until after the summ er

This has led MPs to call for UK intervention Foreign Secretary David Lammy is set to meet Johal’s brother again next week

There were hopes Johal would be granted bail after being cleared of all charges in a parallel case in Punjab i n M a r c h A r r e s t e d i n November 2017, he has not been convicted of any crime

J o h a l , f r o m D u m b a r t o n , Scotland, is accused of links to the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), which allegedly c a r r i e d o u t a t t a c k s i n Punjab He denies charges, i n c l u d i n g f u n d i n g K L F activities in 2013 used to buy weapons for attacks on reli-

gious leaders in 2016 and 2017 Johal claims he was tortured into signing a blank sheet of paper to confess, with police using electricity a n d t h r e a t s t o b u r n h i m alive A UN working group has declared his detention arbitrary In response, 117 MPs and peers have urged the UK government to act, citing a “window of opport u n i t y ” a f t e r h i s M a r c h acquittal Reprieve believes his bail was delayed due to issues with India’s pre-trial detention laws and argues his continued detention vio-

lates the principle of double jeopardy I n d i a n a u t h o r i t i e s d o n o t a l l

involvement in the attacks, a

same confession His brothe r , G

criticised delays, calling this

Reprieve condemned Johal’s

n m e n

t o s e c u r e h i s release, warning that continued detention would be a grave injustice

One million ethnic minority adults misclassified in BMI data

A lea ding cha rity h as warn ed

t hat ar ound a million minorit y e thnic ad ults a re wr ongly

c la s s if ie d a s u n d e r w e i g h t d ue t o outd ate d g uidance in officia l stat ist ics

Analysis by Nesta reveals that while 64% of adults in

E n g l a n d a r e c l a s s i f i e d a s overweight or obese, the correct figure should be 67%

The 3% discrepancy, affecting about 1 million people, is due to underrepresentation of Black and Asian adults in

the data N

Black adults being 13 per-

Asian adults 18 percentage points lower than the true rates This error stems from outdated BMI calculations

s y e a r , N I C E updated its guidelines, reco m m e

B M I thresholds for Black, Asian,

and other minority ethnic groups due to their higher risk of chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes at lower BMI levels

The updated NICE guidance also accounts for differences in body composition across ethnic groups, noting that Black, Asian, and other minorities are more prone to central adiposity excess fat around the abdomen linked to higher risk of heart dis-

ease and death Nesta urged

updated thresholds in

healthy life at Nesta, said tackling obesity requires

scale and related inequalities She urged NHS England

guidelines in future data to better reflect the challenge

Susan Hall returns as leader of City Hall Conservatives

S usan Hall has been reapp o i n ted as l ead er o f t h e C onservative group at City

H al l, re cl ai m i ng th e ro l e from Neil Garratt, wh o had u nseated her in 2023

The outspoken former

style, said she was “thrilled to be back” and looked forward to resuming scrutiny

referring to Labour’s Sadiq Khan Hall returns just a year after losing the mayoral race

275,000 votes Her defeat came after a turbulent nominat i o

Susan Hall

for London Paul Scully Hall ultimately secured the nomination over political newcomer Moz Hossain Her reappointment followed a private vote among

y members of the 25-

shift in leadership may signal

From London's Scars to Pahalgam's Pain: Standing in Solidarity Against Terror

Krupesh Hirani AM

Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow

Th e recent horrific terrorist attack in P ahalgam , Kashm ir, has sent ripples of sh ock and sorrow across the globe For those of u s in Londo n, the news resonates w ith a particular poignancy

As we approach the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 bombings, the memory of that devastating day remains etched in our collective consciousness We know all too well the fear, the grief, and the profound sense of violation that such acts of terror inflict on a community Therefore, our hearts go out to the people of Pahalgam in this moment of immense pain We stand in unwavering solidarity with them, sharing in their grief and condemning in the strongest possible terms this senseless act of violence

Just as London has strived to heal and rebuild in the a

strength of the Pahalgam community to overcome this tragedy Terrorism, in all its forms, is an affront to humanity, a brutal attempt to sow discord and fear It targets not just individuals but the very fabric of society, seeking to undermine peace and stability

In the face of such barbarity, the bonds of shared humanity become ever more crucial India, as the world's largest democracy, has long championed the values of peace, pluralism, and the rule of law As discussions around a potential trade deal between the UK and India gain momentum, it is vital that our partnership extends beyond the realms of culture and commerce Aligning and working together on intelligence sharing, global security, and the relentless combatting of terrorism must be an integral part of this deepening relationship

The threat of terrorism is a global challenge that transcends borders and ideologies No nation is immune The experiences of London, and now the pain of Pahalgam, underscore the urgent need for international cooperation in dismantling terrorist networks and addressing the root causes of extremism By pooling our resources, sharing intelligence, and developing joint strategies, the UK and India can become even more formidable partners in the fight against this insidious threat

This collaboration is not just a matter of strategic importance; it is a moral imperative By standing together, we send a clear message that terror will not prevail, that violence will not silence the voices of peace and progress As London remembers its own tragic past and Pahalgam confronts its present pain, the need for global solidarity against terrorism has never been more evident Our shared humanity demands that we stand with the victims, support the affected communities, and work tirelessly towards a future free from the scourge of terror

LGBTQ+

charities sound alarm on trans rights

Fourteen national L GBTQ+ ch a ri ti es h av e w ri t ten to K ei r S tar m er s eek i ng an urgent m eeting to discu ss w h at th e y d es cr ib e as “ a genuine crisis for th e rig hts, d i g ni ty a nd i nc lu s i o n o f trans people in the UK” after the suprem e court’s ruling on biological sex

forensic approach Hall has pledged to focus on police cuts, with up to 1,700 officers and staff at risk due to funding shortfalls

criticism for sharing an AI-

missed as a joke

In a statement, Hall said she was “deeply honoured” to return as leader, vowing to prioritise safety, financial responsibility, and holding t h e m a y o r t o a c c o u n t o n issues that affect everyday Londoners

unapologetically blunt, Hall has frequently clashed with Khan, once saying she’d like to throw him “in

L a s t m o n t h , t h e U K Supreme Court ruled that t h e t e r m s “ w o m a n ” a n d “ s e x ” i n t h e E q u a l i t y A c t 2010 refer only to “biologic a l s e x , ” p r o m p t i n g g u i da n c e f r o m t h e e q u a l i t y w a t c h d o g t h a t e f f e c t i v e l y b a n s t r a n s p e o p l e f r o m u s i n g f a c i l i t i e s m a t c h i n g their gender identity

In a letter to the prime m i n i s t e r , l e a d e r s o f Stonewall, Scottish Trans, T r a n s A c t u a l , a n d o t h e r s warn the ruling has caused widespread confusion and undermines the rights and d i g n i t y o f t r a n s p e o p l e They argue it overturns previous interpretations of the law and leaves trans individuals unprotected The letter criticises the

EHRC’s interim guidance which states trans people “should not be permitted” to use facilities matching their gender identity calling it a “significant overreach” and inconsistent with UK and E u r o p e a n h u m a n r i g h t s laws I n r e s p o n s e , E H R C C h a i r K i s h w e r F a l k n e r defended the guidance in T h e H o u s e m a g a z i n e , rejecting attacks on the regulator’s integrity as “ unacc e p t a b l e ” A c k n o w

, s h e urged legislators to read the judgment in full and regretted the “uncertainty fuelled by misunderstanding, espec i a l l y o n s o c i a l m e d i a ” Falkner praised the ruling as “ a m o d e l o f c l a r i t y ” a n d e m p h a s i s e d i t i s l e g a l l y binding, urging those with Equality Act duties to seek legal advice if needed She also dismissed claims that trans voices were ignored, noting a public consultation in May to inform updates to t h e c o m m i s s i o n ’ s c o d e o f practice

Jagtar Singh Johal

Lord Parekh hosts book launch for Dr Pulak Sahay’s poetry

Lord Bhikh u P arekh hosted the launch o f Dr P ulak

S ah a y s p o et ry b o o k ‘ A

Bo uquet of Poems’ at the Ho use o f Lo rds o n Ap ri l 29,

2 0 25 T

w as attended by disti nguish ed gu ests fro m th

Colm O'Morain, Emeritus

P ro f es s

Roberto Guiloff, Emeritus

P ro f es s o

and renowned cardio logi st Dr Peter Wilmshu rst fro m S hrewsbury

between Lord Parekh, Prof O

a n d D r S a h a y o n t h e book's poems Dr Guiloff and Dr Sahay also recited several poems, which were well received by the guests A heartwarming aspect of the event was that all proceeds from the book’s sale were donated to the CARD Charity

The Campaign Against Reflux Disease (CARD), a

r e g i s t e r e d U K m e d i c a l

c h a r i t y f o u n d e d b y D r

Pulak Sahay in 2010, aims to raise awareness about t h e i m p a c t o f R e f l u x Disease, which affects millions globally The charity

prevent and manage this

n some cases can lead to the

life-threatening complication of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, responsible for over 8,000 deaths annually in the UK Early detection and prevention of Reflux can reduce these deaths by nearly 1,000 each year

Dr Pulak Sahay's book, ‘A Bouquet of Poems’, is

only offers readers a creative experience but also

medicine and public education It was emphasised that everyone should help

support its cause

NCGO–UK commemorates 65th Gujarat Foundation Day

Th e Na t io na l C

l of G uja r at

a t ion s UK (NCGO–UK) celeb rated the 65t h Gujarat Foundation Day with a vib rant event at the Bl ue Room in Harrow The ga ther ing brought toge ther the Gujarati dias pora, politic

our Gujara t's her itage, its contrib ut i

m ents of Britis h Gujaratis

oured by Chief Guest Shri

Secretary Guests enjoyed a v i b

mances, authentic regional cuisine, and an exciting raffle

and dignitaries from across the UK, who joined in celeb

cultural richness

The event featured special messages from Gujarat

i e f M

Patel, a video message from D r M a n s u k h M a n d a v i y a ,

S p o r t s & E m p l o y m e n t Minister of New Delhi, Mr CB Patel, Dame Priti Patel MP, and the Shadow Home

d r a w T h e c e l e b r a t i o n offered a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with cultural heritage and strengthen unity and pride within the British-Gujarati community

NCGO’s work and shared a heartfelt Bhajan NCGO Advisor Mr Kanti N

Gujarat’s enduring spirit and

Pulak Sahay with Prof O'Morain Marcelle and Geeta Sahay

Pulak Sahay with Lord Parekh at Book launch in the House of Lords

global diaspora, praising NCGO–UK’s

Founder and Group Chairman of Westcombe Group, Vrajbhai Pankhania and Cllr Anjana Patel lightning the lamp

NCGO executive committee members present at the event

Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh

Patel

Dear Finan cia l Voice Re ade r, How Much Should You Hav e in Your Pe nsion by A ge 60 ?

By age 60, many envision a future of leisure and financial freedom However, the stark reality is that the average pension pot for individuals aged 55–64 in the UK stands at approximately £137,800 This figure falls significantly short of the amount needed for a comfortable retirement Defin ing R etir emen t Sta nda rds

The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) outlines three retirement living standards:

Minimum: £14,400 annually for a single person, covering basic needs with limited leisure

Moder at e: £31,300 annually, allowing for some luxuries like a yearly holiday and dining out

Comforta ble: £43,100 annually, affording more extensive travel and leisure activities

These standards assume no mortgage or rent payments

The St ate Pension Fa ct or

The full new State Pension provides £11,502 annually While this contributes to retirement income, it doesn't suffice for a moderate or comfortable lifestyle Therefore, substantial private pension savings are essential

Target Pension Pots

To achieve desired retirement standards, consider the following pension pot targets:

Moder at e Lifesty le : Approximately £490,000 needed, assuming a 4% annual withdrawal rate over 25 years

C o mf o r t a bl e L i fe s t y l e : A r o u n d £ 7 9 0 , 0 0 0

under the same assumptions

Pension Savings Benchmarks by Age

Age 30: Aim to have saved 1x your annual salary

Age 40: Target 3x your annual salary

Age 50: Strive for 6x your annual salary

Age 60: Aim for 8x your annual salary

These benchmarks provide a general guideline to assess whether you're on track with your retirement savings

�� Savings Rate Guideline

A commonly recommended approach is to save a percentage of your income equivalent to half your age when you start saving For example:

Sta rt a t age 20: Save 10% of your income annually

Sta rt a t age 30: Save 15% of your income annually

This strategy accounts for the compounding effect of early savings and adjusts for later starts

�� Re tire ment In com e Rep lace ment

T o m a i n t a i n y o u r p r e - r

replace approximately 50% to 60% of your pre-retirement income annually during retirement This accounts for reduced expenses in areas like commuting and work-related costs, while considering increased spending on healthcare and leisure

�� Th e Rule of 3 75

For a more tailored estimate, consider the 'Rule of 375' Multiply your de sir ed mon thly re tire men t income by 375 to determine the total pension pot needed

For example, if you aim for £3,000 per month:

£3,000 × 375 = £1,125,000

This method incorporates a 4% annual withdrawal rate and accounts for taxes, providing a practical estimate for a 30-year retirement period

�� The 4% Rule

A widely used guideline is the 4% Rule, which suggests you can withdraw 4% of your retirement portfolio annually without depleting your funds over a 30-year retirement

Exam ple: For a £1,000,000 pension pot, a 4% withdrawal equates to £40,000 per year

This rule helps in estimating the size of the pension pot required to support your desired annual income

NatWest profits surge as bank nears full return to private ownership

NatWest , form erly Royal Bank of Sc ot land, reported a s harp r is e in quarterly prof its as it approac hes f ul l privatis ation, m arking the end of a 17-year jour ney s inc e its 2 008 bail out

The bank, saved by a £45 5 billion taxpayer rescue during the financial crisis, saw pre-tax profits climb 36 2% to £1 8 billion in the first quarter of 2025, beating analyst expectations of £1 6 billion Growth in lending and improved margins on deposits helped offset a rise in provisions for bad loans, which increased to £189 million The government has now reduced its stake in NatWest to just under 2%, and continued share sales suggest it could be fully privatised within a month a significant milestone for the UK banking sector

Chief executive Paul Thwaite said the bank's customers remained “resilient” despite global economic headwinds, including new US tariffs that threaten international trade

However, he noted that only a small portion of NatWest’s lending was exposed to affected sectors like manufacturing

While larger corporates are pausing activity amid global uncertainty, Thwaite said smaller firms and consumers remain focused on domestic issues, with no significant behavioural shifts yet Finance chief Katie Murray added that economic uncertainty had led the bank to retain existing loan loss provisions

South Asian-led businesses shine at 2025 King’s Awards for Enterprise

Astrong

South Asian presence was registered among the winners of the 2025 King’s Awards for Enterprise as 197 outstanding UK businesses were recognised for their exceptional contributions to international trade, innovation, sustainability, and social mobility.

The awards celebrate outstanding achievements in international trade, innovation, sustainable development, and social mobility Now in its third year under the reign of His Majesty

The King and the 59th year since its inception the Awards shine a spotlight on the vital role businesses play in growing the economy

Among this year ’ s winners, 116

trade, 46 for innovation, 27 for sustainable development, and 10 for promoting opportunity through social mobility Among the honourees are

companies making global strides, like Aydya Limited awarded for its innovative, eco-conscious hydration and homeware products and Brightsun Travel UK Ltd, celebrated for nearly four decades of delivering expert, personalised travel experiences

small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with 88% of awardees falling

micro-businesses with 10 or fewer

Thomas, praised the winners stating, “These businesses represent the very best of British talent Their innova-

tion, resilience, and drive to grow is essential to our economic ambitions ” The Awards reflect the

Plan for Change, aimed at

growth Support initiatives include expanded business rates relief, new Banking Hubs, and increased government-backed financing for SMEs

Winners will be hon-

Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenants and will

Economists challenge Rachel Reeves’ non-dom tax forecasts

E c o n o m ic ex p

av e cast doubt on Chancello r R ach el R eev es ’ p r o ject ed tax r ev enues f rom abolishin g t h

( no n

) t

war ning th e actu al f ig ure co u ld be far lo wer t h an of ficial estim ates According to new analy s i s b y t h e C e n t r e f o r

E c o n o m i c s a n d B u s i n e s s Research (CEBR), changes to the non-dom tax rules are likely to generate just £ 2 5 b i l l i o n i n t h e f i r s t year only a quarter of the £10 3 billion forecast by the O f f i c e f o r B u d g e t Responsibility (OBR) The CEBR also cautioned that

t h e O B R ’ s a s s u m p t i o n s about the foreign income

o f a f f e c t e d i n d i v i d u a l s appear significantly overs t a t e d T h e r e f o r m s , a n n o u n c e d i n R e e v e s ’ October budget and effective from April 6 this year, abolished the “remittance b a s i s ” t h a t h a d a l l o w e d non-doms to shield overseas income from UK tax H o w e v e r , t h e C E B R warned that even if no one left the country due to the change, the revenue gains w o u l d f a l l w e l l s h o r t Should a quarter of nondoms depart the UK, the Treasury would see no net benefit at all And if half

Mum and dad to the rescue of first-time buyers

Parents have provided a record £38 5 bil lion to hel p their children b uy homes s inc e 2 02 1, £16 bill ion m ore than in the previous f our years , as soaring house pric es and mortgage rates pus h hom e owne rship furthe r out of reach for f ir st-time buye rs

According to new research by Savills, the so-called Bank of Mum and Dad supported 173,500 buyers in 2024, contributing a total of £9 64 billion the second-highest figure on record after the pandemic-fuelled spike of 2021 More than half (52%) of first-time buyers received financial help, with the average parental contribution hitting £55,572

The strain is most severe in London, where property prices are typically eight times average incomes, according to Nationwide High mortgage rates and stricter lending rules have made family support increasingly vital, said Lucian Cook, Savills' head of residential research

A surge in property transactions was recorded in March 2025, up 104% year-on-year, as buyers rushed to beat a rise in stamp duty The end of the Help to Buy scheme in March 2023, which assisted 328,000 buyers over a decade, has added further pressure

However, support from parents may ease later this year

expected to improve affordability, reducing the size of contributions needed “While more buyers may still need help, the average amount given is likely to come down,” Cook said

w e r e t o l e a v e , t h e t a x c h a n g e s c o u l d c o

government up to £2 4 billion in the first year

“Once again, the chanc e l l o r h a s g o t h e r s u m s badly wrong and does not understand business,” said Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, cit-

exodus of wealthy individu a l s w

u l d b e n o t h i n g short of disastrous for our economy ”

Further projections by the Adam Smith Institute estimate the policy could result in the loss of 44,000 UK jobs by 2030 and a £111 b

Interest rates set for fastest drop since 2009

Interest rates in the UK are projected to fall at th eir fastest pace since the 2008 financial crisis, offering relief to borrowers and h omeowners

Economists expect the Bank of England to cut rates from 4 5% to 4 25% next week, with further reductions forecast to bring rates below 3% within six months This would mark the sharpest six-month decline in rates since 2008-09, when rates dropped from 4 5% to 0 5% Barclays expects rates to hit 3 5% by September, while Morgan Stanley predicts a fall to 2 75% by mid-2026

Mortgage lenders, anticipating lower rates, have already begun cutting fixed-rate offers The average two-year fixed mortgage has dropped from 4 22% in December to 3 79%, saving borrowers hundreds of pounds annually

However, the positive outlook for borrowers comes amid heightened global instability President Trump’s trade tariffs have raised concerns about a worldwide economic slowdown, prompting the IMF to slash the UK’s 2025 growth forecast to 1 1% The Office for Budget Responsibility has warned a full-scale trade war could cost the UK tens of billions in output In response, the Bank of England is expected to accelerate rate cuts to stimulate domestic demand

Morgan Stanley predicts five consecutive 0 25-point cuts, while UBS suggests the Bank may move even faster if global conditions worsen

Deepak Nangla Mohit Sawlani

Rachel Reeves

UK AND INDIA SIGN LANDMARK FREE TRADE DEAL

T h e d e a l i s e x p e c t e d t o increase bilateral trade by

£ 2 5 5 b i l l i o n , U K G D P b y

£4 8 billion and wages by £2 2 billion each year in the long run At least 1 9 million people with Indian heritage call the UK their home and

s t r i k i n g t h i s d e a l w i l l strengthen the vital partner-

s h i p b e t w e e n o u r t w o democracies

A Do w n i n g S t r e e t

s p ok e sp e r so n s a i d t h a t

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

s p o k e t o I n d i a n P r i m e Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday 6 May The leaders

b e g a n b y c e l e b r a t i n g t h e l a n d m a r k U K - I n d i a F r e e

Trade Agreement – a deal which will add billions to the UK economy, boost wages and deliver on Labour government’s Plan for Change

The statement from No 10 further added: "In a huge economic win for the UK, delivering for working people and British businesses, P r i m e M i n i s t e r S t a r m e r underscored the need to go

f u r t h e r a n d f a s t e r t o g e t things done, to secure and renew our country Through p r a g m a t i s m a n d p u r p o s e , the leaders noted that this historic deal is the biggest the UK has done since leaving the EU, and the most

a m b i t i o u s I n d i a h a s e v e r done Prime Minister Modi also thanked Prime Minister

S t a r m e r f o r h i s d e c i s i v e

l e a d e r s h i p i n g e t t i n g t h e deal over the line

"Turning to the terrorist a t t a c k i n J

m m u a n d Kashmir last month, Prime Minister Starmer reiterated his deep condolences at the tragic and senseless loss of life

" P r i m e M i n

s t e r w a

e a s e d t o accept and said he looked forward to visiting India at the earliest opportunity "

Right after that,

Starmer In a historic milestone, India and the UK have s

beneficial free trade agreement, along with a double contribution convention

“These landmark agreements will further deepen our comprehensive strategic p a r t n e r s h i p , a n d c a t a l y s e trade, investment, growth, job creation, and innovation

i n b o t h o u r e c o n o m i e s I look forward to welcoming PM Starmer to India soon ”

U K' s P r i m e M i n i st e r

Keir St arme r in a st ate men t said, “We are now in a new era for trade and the economy That means going further and faster to strengthen the UK’s economy, putting m o r e m o n e y i n w o r k i n g

B us in e ss a n d T r a d e

Secret ar y Jon atha n Rey nolds ad de d, “This government’s n u m b e r o n e m i s s i o n i s g r o w i n g t h e e c o n o m y a s part of our Plan for Change so we can put more money in people’s pockets

“By striking a new trade deal with the fastest-grow-

b e t w e e n t w o l a r g e e c o n o m i e s I t w i l l b e n e f i t

Indian farmers, fishermen, w o r k e r s , M S M E s , s t a r t u p s and innovators It brings us closer to our goal of becoming a global economic powe r h o u s e T h i s F T A i s n o t only about goods and services, but also about people,

people’s pockets “ T h r o u g h t h i s g o v e r nment’s stable and pragmatic

l e a d e r s h i p , t h e U K h a s become an attractive place to do business Today we have agreed a landmark deal w i t h I n d i a - o n e o f t h e fastest growing economies i n t h e w o r l d , w h i c h w i l l g r o w t h e e c o

and business

“ S t r e n g t h e n i n g o u r alliances and reducing trade b a r r i e r s w i t h e c o n o m i e s around the world is part of o u r P l a n f o r C h a n g e t o deliver a stronger and more

s e c u r e e c o n o m y h e r e a t home ”

ing economy in the world, we are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages

e v e r y y e a r a n d u n l o c k i n g growth in every corner of the country, from advanced manufacturing in the North East to whisky distilleries in Scotland

“ I n t i m e s o f g l o b a l u n c e r t a i n t y , a p r a g m a t i c a p p r o a c h t o g l o b a l t r a d e that provides businesses and consumers with stability is more important than ever ”

The India n Min ist er for C om m e r c e a n d In d us t r y

Pi y u s h G o y a l sa id , “ T h i s

A g r e e m e n t s e t s a n e w

b e n c h m a r k f o r e q u i t a b l e a n d a m b i t i o u s t r a d e

Key Highlights of the UK-India FTA:

w The FTA is a modern, comprehen-

which seeks to achieve deep economic integration along with trade

sions

w The FTA ensures comprehensive market access for goods, across all s e c

export interests India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99% of the tariff lines covering almost 100% of the trade value

between India and the UK

w The FTA provides positive impact on manufacturing across labour and technology intensive sectors and opens up export opportunities for sectors such as textiles, marine products, leather, footwear, sports goods and toys, gems and jewellery and other important sectors such as engineering goods, auto parts and engines and organic chemicals

T h i s w i l

Indian goods competitiveness in the UK vis-a-vis other countries

w The FTA will have significant positive gains for employment in India

w India will benefit from one of the most ambitious FTA commitment from the UK in Services such as IT/ITeS, financial services, professional services, other business ser-

opening up new opportunities and

jobs

w The FTA eases mobility for profes-

and dependent children of IntraCorporate Transferees with right

Professionals like yoga instructors, musicians and chefs

w Immense opportunities for talented and skilled Indian youth will open up in the UK which is a major global centre for digitally delivered services due to its strong financial and professional services sectors and advanced digital infrastructure

w India has secured significant com-

services for Indian service suppliers, specially in professional ser-

engineering, computer related services and telecommunication services

w The exemption for Indian workers who are temporarily in the UK and their employers from paying social security contributions in the UK for a period of three years under t h e D o u b l e C o n t r i b u t i o n Convention will lead to significant financial gains for the Indian service providers and enhance their competitiveness in the UK market that would create new job oppor-

tunities as well as benefit large number of Indians working in the UK

w India has ensured that non-tariff barriers are suitably addressed to ensure free flow of goods and services and that they do not create unjustified restrictions to India’s exports

w The FTA seeks to promote good regulatory practices and enhance transparency that are in sync with

c reforms to enhance the ease of doing business Tariffs cut on the UK’s large and varied advanced

m aerospace and automotive, electrical circuits, and high-end optical products

y w i l l have brand new, unprecedented access to India’s vast procurement market as the country makes the switch to renewable energy and continues to see growing energy demand

w Reduced tariffs on medical devices that take the UK’s complex supply

l unleash new opportunities for the UK life sciences sector

w World-class UK services sectors –who export just over £500 billion worldwide will now benefit from

into the growing Indian market

ment is the culmination of intense negotiations aimed a t d e e p e n i n g t r a d e a n d i n v e s t m e n t t i e s a c r

range of sectors, including goods, services and technology It is designed to promote sustainable and inclus

and

India

possibilities and prosperity It protects our core interests w h i l e o p e n i n g d o o r s t o India’s greater participation in global value chains”

The Indian Commerce

S e c r e t a r y S u n i l B a r t h w a l emphasised that this FTA is a game changer and will set India further on the path of rapid economic growth and benefit India’s global integ r a t i o n T h i s i s t h e m o s t c o m p r e h e n s i v e f r e e t r a d e

d e a l e v e r e n t e r e d i n t o b y India and will be the gold

s t a n d a r d f o r o u r f u t u r e engagements

U K F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y

D a v i d L a m m y t o ld A si a n Voice, “India was one of the first countries I visited when I became Foreign Secretary a n d i n M a r c h , I i n v i t e d

Minister Jaishankar to be my first guest at Chevening

“Our relationship with India is going from strength to strength and today we have made history by agreeing a landmark new trade agreement that will build on o u r t h r i v i n g t r a d i n g r e l ationship, already worth £43 billion annually

“ W e h a v e a l w a y s s a i d that driving growth is the number one mission in this

G o v e r n m e n t ’ s P l a n f o r Change Today’s deal is evidence of that, creating prosperity for Brits and Indians

a l i k e f o r g e n e r a t i o n s t o come ”

Bene fit s for busine sse s of a ll sizes

Through this FTA, UK businesses will gain a competitive edge over internat i o n a l c o m p e t i t o r s w h e n entering India’s enormous market as it gets even bigger, forecasted to become t h e t h i r d l a r g e s t g l o b a l e c o n o m y w i t h i n t h r e e years Indian tariffs will be slashed, locking in reductions on 90% of tariff lines, with 85% of these becoming f u l l y t a r i f f - f r e e w i t h i n a decade

T h i s c o m p r e h e n s i v e and forward-looking agree-

exemption for

temporarily in the UK and their employers from paying social security contributions in the UK for a period

Convention This will make Indian service providers significantly more competitive in the UK

However, the NHS will not benefit from this trade deal, and the points-based

remains unaffected

With India agreeing to reduce tariffs on a whole host of products including w

making UK exports more competitive, barriers to trading will be dropped Based on 2022 trade alone, this amounts to India cutting tariffs worth over £400 m

comes into force, which will more than double to around £900 million after 10 years Whisky and gin tariffs will be halved from 150% to 75% before reducing to 40% by year ten of the deal, while automotive tariffs will go f r o m o v

0 % under a quota Other goods with reduced tariffs, which can open markets and make trade cheaper for businesses

devices, salmon, electrical

chocolate, and biscuits British shoppers could see cheaper prices and more choice on products including clothes, footwear, and

frozen prawns as UK

easier than ever before as India agrees to release goods as

with the UK on

streamlined portal for trade and publish customs procedures and laws online in English In addition, new digital commitments will support

transactions These changes could particularly support

easier for them to enter the Indian market New commitments

The

Prime Minister Keir Starmer with PM Narendra Modi in 2024 at the G20 Summit in Brazil

in brief

MISSING INDIAN STUDENT FOUND DEAD IN CANADA PARK

Vanshika Saini, a student from India, has been confirmed dead after her body is found in a park in Ottawa River She had been missing for several days before her body was discovered, CTV News reported Saini had moved to Ottawa two and a half years ago to pursue her dreams of higher education On the evening of April 25 she left her residence to inspect a rental room When she failed to appear for an important exam the next morning her friend attempted to contact her but her phone was switched off, The Mirror reported The cause of death remains uncertain and an investigation is ongoing

INDIAN AMERICAN APPOINTED CEO OF AXIOM SPACE

Axiom Space, a leader in commercial space infrastructure and human spaceflight services announced the appointment of Tejpaul Bhatia as its new Chief Executive Officer Bhatia steps into the role after serving as the company’s Chief Revenue Officer for the past four years, where he played a pivotal role in shaping Axiom s ascent in the space industry Since joining Axiom Space in 2021, Bhatia has led several transformative initiatives, including negotiating the first-ever sovereign government purchases of commercial human spaceflight missions to the International Space Station

HINDU FLAGS TORN DOWN IN NY

In a disturbing incident now being investigated as a hate crime, a man trespassed onto a Hindu family s property in Queens Village in US and tore down religious flags before discarding them in the trash The incident occurred on April 20, but it only gained public attention after the New York Police Department (NYPD) released surveillance images of the suspect and appealed for information According to the NYPD, the unidentified man entered the property where he removed four Hindu religious flags from the family’s porch Though no physical damage or other harm was reported, the act left the family deeply shaken

AUTHOR JHUMPA LAHIRI TO BE HONOURED

Saint Louis University has named Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri as the recipient of its 2026 St Louis Literary Award This annual recognition celebrates writers whose work enriches readers understanding of the human condition Lahiri acclaimed for her insightful portrayals of identity cultural displacement and the immigrant experience is scheduled to accept the award in in 2026 The St Louis Literary Award boasts a history of recognizing literary giants, with past recipients including Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie

IMRAN’S PTI BOYCOTTS PAK GOVT BRIEFING ON INDIA

Jailed former premier Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) declined govt’s invitation to attend a briefing on rising Pakistan-India tensions, citing political grievances and demanding broader political consultation PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram announced the party’s decision to boycott the briefing saying that while PTI firmly condemns all forms of terrorism and recognises the significance of national unity it cannot participate under the current political circumstances Khan is being unjustly imprisoned Despite this he has consistently condemned terrorism in his messages from jail and has called for national unity

Bangladesh court orders arrest of detained Hindu monk

D HA K A: A Ban glade sh court on Mon day orde red the arres

Chi nmoy Kri shn a Das in connection with the murder of

Chattogra m in Nov last year

A former Iskcon member, Das was arrested at the Dhaka international airport on Nov 25 last year in a sedition case over a

national flag He was taken to

rejected his bail petition and sent him to jail the next day

widespread protests, with his

turned violent when assistant government prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif was hacked to death “ H e ( D

Chattogram additional

sions judge court’s public pros-

Bhuiyan, said police submitted applications seeking orders to show him arrested in four cases while the court accepted one of t h

lawyer’s murder

According to mainstream

arrested 40 people in connection with the murder case On April 30, an HC bench ordered Das’ release on bail The court’s decision was challenged before the appellate division’s chamber judge justice Rezaul Haque, who stayed the ruling

Pak appoints ISI chief Asim Malik as NSA amid tensions with India

Islamabad: Pakistani spy agency IS

(NS A),

prim acy in security and political st

ten ed possibility of war with India

Even in a country where the military has always loomed over governance, this is the first time the ISI head will also officiate as

NSA

The appointment, effective immediately, comes less than 10 days after the April 22 terrorist

s Pahalgam that put Pakistan and India on crosshairs and triggered a diplomatic firestorm

Lt Gen Malik, who took over as ISI chief in Sept 2024, will advise PM Shehbaz Sharif on n

g n policy while steering Pakistan’s

intelligence apparatus The dual role is widely seen as a power grab by the military, sidelining the civilian leadership at a time of reckoning Pakistan’s denial of involvement in the Pahalgam attack and calls for a “neutral” probe have done little to placate India While Malik’s elevation a m p l i

, both militarily and politically, critics argue this move exposes

the fragility of Pakistan’s civilian governance “Appointing the ISI chief as NSA hands the military a blank check to dictate terms, not just on security but in back channel talks with India,” said a former diplomat M

oversaw the crackdown on

during the 2023 riots, suggests a hardline approach

Ugandan businessman Rajiv Ruparelia dies in Kampala crash

KA M PA L A : Promine nt U gan dan busine ssma n an d philan thr opist R a jiv R up a r eli a ha s d ie

Kampa la Sout her

By pass high-

Luke Owoye sig yire d escribe d the inciden t as a “single fata l cra sh ” Witnesses and video footage from the scene showed the car engulfed in flames, with thick s m o k e b i

wreckage

t y e t released an official report on the cause of the crash, but the vehicle was reduced to scrap metal b y t h

investigations indicate that the

driver lost control of the vehicle after colliding with temporary p a v e m e n t s i n s t a l l e d a t t h e roundabout section of the flyover

, leading to the instant death of the driver, identified as Rajiv Ruparelia ” Rajiv, the son of Ugandan b

h interests in real estate, education, hospitality, and finance

B o r n o n J a n u a r y 2 , 1 9 9 0 , Rajiv was educated in the UK, earning a degree in Financial

Harvard under fire for hosting Pakistan event post Pahalgam

W AS H I N G T O N

b an kr o

Laxmi Mittal , distanced itself from a “P akistan co nf erence ” it p latfo rm ed after a backlas h fro m some I ndian stu dents, even as Pakis tan, em barrassed o ver having to use an Indianfunded facility, vo wed to regain its di m ini

academ ia

conference erupted after two Indian

Abhishek Chaudhuri, in a letter to the u n i v e r s i t y m a n

Harvard to “ ensure its campus does not become a platform for whitewashing state-enabled religious terr o r i s m ” i n t h e a f t e r m a t h o f t h e

Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 people

“Welcoming representatives of a govt that enables or justifies terrorism risks Harvard being complicit The United States must not host represen-

U n i v e r s i t y L o n d o n H e returned to Uganda in 2014 and steadily rose through the ranks of the family business In addition to business, Rajiv was a p a s s i o n a t e m o t o r s p o r t enthusiast and rally driver He f o u n d e d t h e R a j i v R u p a r e l i a Rally Team and played a key role in reviving rally racing in Uganda Condelences from H E Ni mish a Madhvani

H E N i m i s h a M a d h v a n i , Ugandan High Commissioner to UK, while expressing her cond o l

Ruparelia, said, “he was a bright and dynamic young member of our Ugandan community and also a symbol of hope and inspiration for the younger generation His energy, ambition, and kindness to us all in London left a lasting impact on those who knew him We pray that God grants his soul eternal peace and g i v

tatives of a state that protects and p r o m o

civilians based on faith,” the students said in a separate letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Sheikh were among the delegates to the conference Americans who spoke

Raphel, a former state department official known as a Pakistan partisan

Kugelman, a foreign policy writer and a self-described “honorary Pakistani ” Among other demands, the students urged the Harvard management to issue a public statement condemning the Pahalgam attack and provide emotional and institutional support to affected students, seeking, “clarity, courage, and compassion for Hindu and Indian students grieving the targeted killing of members of their faith ”

l y friends to bear this loss ”

Landmark re-election for Australian PM Albanese

BRI SB A NE: A nthony Albanese is set to return as Australia’s Prim e Minister after securing a historic seco nd term in a sw eeping fed eral election victory - th e first leader to do so in last two decad es

The Labor leader’s win marks a striking comeback against the once-resurgent Liberal-National Coalition, powered in part by voter concerns over the growing influence of US President Donald Trump on conservative politics Echoing recent election losses for Canada’s right-leaning parties, the b a c

p o s i t i o n Leader Peter Dutton not only conceding defeat but also losing his own marginal Brisbane seat of Dickson to Labor’s Ali France

“Today, the Australian people have voted for Australian values - for fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all,” Albanese told cheering supporters at Sydney’s CanterburyHurlstone Park “Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way, looking after each other while building for the future ” Taking onus for the LNC’s loss, Dutton admitted to reporters, “We did not do well enough during this campaign That much is obvious tonight and I accept full responsibility for that ” Despite the results, Dutton offered encouragement to colleagues who faced defeats, saying: “We will rebuild from here, and we will do that because we know our values, we know our beliefs, and we will always stick to them ”

Chinmoy Krishna Das

Rajiv Ruparelia and H E Nimisha Madhvani

Govt decides to hold caste count along with national census

T h e M o d i g o v t h a s d ec i d ed to

inclu de caste enu meration in the u pcoming decennial census, a first

s u ch exe rci se in m o re th an 9 0

years The Cabinet Co mmittee on P oliti cal A ffairs (C CP A) decision sh ould also clear the w ay for the m uch-awaited census

It comes ahead of elections in caste-sensitive Bihar and amid a

also snatches a major talking point

Rahul Gandhi repeatedly taking it up and making it virtually the chief issue in the opposition’s armoury

surveys Vaishnaw accused some of

& B

minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Congress talked about - with then PM Manmohan Singh telling Lok

considered by the cabinet - but did not act on it

During UPA’s tenure, a SocioE c o n o m

(SECC) had been undertaken and s u b s e q u e n t l y

political reasons and said the Modi govt had resolved to transparently include caste enumeration in the

exercise “This demonstrates that our govt is committed to the values and interests of our society and country, like in the past when our g o v t h a d i n

c e d 1 0 % reservation for the economically

section of society,” he said

In a post on X, home minister Amit Shah called it “ a message of strong commitment towards social

y section”

Addressing the media, Rahul described it as a “sudden decision” that came after it was opposed by the ruling party for 11 years “We support this completely, but we want a timeline We want to know by when it will be done,” he said

6 killed, several hurt in stampede during festival at Goa temple

A t le ast six people die d and

3 0 othe rs were injure d when

a st ampe de broke out during

a n a nnua l t emple festiva l in

G oa The stampede occurred

a r o u n d 3 a m a t t h e S h r i

L a i r a i D e v i t e m p l e i n

Bicholim, where thousands of devotees had gathered for t h e t e m p l e ’ s a n n u a l j a t r a , w h i c h b e g

Among the injured, at least 10 people remain in critical c o n d i t i o n a n d a r e u n d e r observation at Goa Medical College, authorities said

“The circumstances are not yet clear, but it appears that one person fell on a

s t e e p s l o p e n e a r t h e approach road of the temple,

w h i c h t h e n l e d t o a stampede,” a senior police o f f i c e r s a i d T

a r r o w s t r e t c h , c r o w d e d w i t h worshippers, quickly became the site of chaos as people tried to escape the surge

The injured have been admitted to the North Goa district hospital in Mapusa, Goa Medical College, and a p r i m a r y h e a l t h c e n t r e i n Bicholim, the police said

hospital and Bicholim

Centre to take stock of the situation In a

families

Reacting to the incident, P

Modi, while expressing his condolences said: “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Shirgao, Goa Condolences to those who lost their loved ones May the injured recover soon

7 new judges take oath at Gujarat HC; strength rises to 39

T he Chief Justice of Guj arat

h i g h c o u rt o n M o nd ay

a d m i ni s te red th e o at h o f

o f f ic e to s ev en ne w ly

a p p o i nte d j u d g es , ta ki ng their total number to 39 as a g ai n st th e s an ct io n ed streng th o f 52

A p p o i n t m e n t o f s e v e n judicial officers as judges of the Gujarat HC was notified o n M a y 1 b y t h e U n i o n ministry of law and justice

Case

14 killed as unseasonal rains hit Gujarat

At lea st 14 people lost the ir lives in G uja ra t following unse asona l r ains a nd dust st orms on M ay 5 a nd 6, accor din g to the St at e E

(SEO C)

The impact of the rainfall was especially severe with over 30 talukas across Gujarat reporting more than 20 mm of rainfall

Kheda district reported the highest death toll with four fatalities, foll o w e d b y V a d o d a r a

Ahmedabad, Dahod, and Aravalli each recorded two deaths, while one person died in Anand

Three people died because of lightning while four others died after uprooted trees fell on them, said an official One person died in a wall collapse while another died when a portion of the house fell on him A hoarding brought down by strong winds claimed two more lives, while two others died of electrocuted One fatality took place when a roof gave way

Department (IMD) has warned of severe thunderstorm with lightning accompanied by hailstorm

mm), followed by Mansa and Sihor (37 mm each) Vadodara city reported 30 mm, leading to waterlogging in many areas

Mahuva taluka in Bhavnagar recording the highest rainfall in the state, with a total of 93 mm Several talukas in Amreli district also witnessed significant rainfall Lathi received 61 mm, while Lilia recorde

received 47 mm

In Rajkot district, Gondal taluka recorded 33 mm, while other areas such as Jasdan, Vinchhiya,

between 14 and 20 mm

At $86bn, India ranks fifth in global military spending

G l ob a l m il it a r y s p e n d i n g surge d to an unp reced ent ed

$ 2 7 2 t r i ll io n in 2 0 24 , m a r k in g t h e t e n t h consecutiv e y ear of gr owth, wit h t he sh ar pest in cr ea se since 1 988, accordin g to the

S t o ck h ol m I n t e r n a t i on a l P e a c e R e se a r ch In s t i t u t e

( SIP RI ) In d ia re m ai n s t he fift h-lar gest milita ry spend er g lo b a lly , a llo c a t i n g $8 6 1 billion to it s a rme d forces, a s highlighte d in SIPRI’s lat est r e po r t , T r e n d s i n W o r ld Milit ar y Ex pen diture , 2024, r ele ased on April 28

W h i l e I n d i a ’ s m i l i t a r y budget saw a modest 1 6% increase from 2023, it has risen by a significant 42%

s i n c e 2 0 1 5 T h i s g r o w t h

r e f l e c t s I n d i a ’ s o n g o i n g

e f f o r t s t o m o d e r n i z e i t s

m i l i t a r y i n r e s p o n s e t o regional security challenges,

p a r t i c u l a r l y w i t h neighboring nations India’s d e f e n s e s p e n d i n g n o w stands at 2 3% of its GDP

I n 2 0 2 4 , t h e U n i t e d

T h e

Gujarat minister of law and justice Rushikesh Patel

a n d m i n i s t e r o f s t a t e f o

Pranav Raval, Mool Chand T y a g i , D i p a k M a n s u k h l a l V y a s , a n d U t k a r s h Thakorbhai Desai

occasion

filed against former Delhi ministers in classroom ‘graft’ case

A fter conductin g a preliminary i nquiry, An tiCorruption B ureau (ACB) has regi stered a cas e a g ai n s t f o rme r D e lh i d

p ut y C M M an i s h S isodi a an d ex-mi ni ster Satyendra J ai n, allegin g corrupti on in the con struction of classrooms The i nvestig ation allegedly reveals a scam of £ 200mn in the construction of over 12,000 classrooms during AAP govt' s ten ure i n D elhi The ACB has invoked the Prevention of Corruption Act against the accused besides IPC's sections 409 and 120B pertaining to criminal breach of trust by a public servant and hatching a criminal conspiracy ACB chief, joint commissioner Madhur

investigation was under way to unearth the conspiracy and fix the role and culpability of

contractors’ The ACB is likely to summon the accused and move for arrests in the case at the earliest, sources confirmed

structure classrooms with a 30-year lifespan was allegedly done at

related to th e Nati onal Herald news pa per T h e court o bserv ed th at th e right to be h eard at any stag e of proceedings breathes life into the right to a fair trial T h e c o u r t o f s p

h e a r i n g a r g u m e n t s o n whether a notice is required to be issued to the accused in view of the proviso to BNSS Section 223 “ T h e r i g h t o f t h e accused to be heard at the c o g n i s a n c e s t a g e m u s t b e l i b e r a l l y a p p l i e

made strides in building its defense industrial

economic landscape While the government has made substantial investments

S t a t e s , C h i n a , R u s s i a , G e r m a n y , a n d I n d i a accounted for 60% of global m i l i t a r y e x p e n d i t u r e , w i t h the US spending a staggering $997 billion, nearly 12 times I n d i a ’ s b u d g e t C h i n a ’ s m i l i t a r y b u d g e t , a t $ 3 1 4 billion, is roughly 3 6 times I n d i a ’ s , a n d c o n t i n u e s t o grow rapidly Despite ranking fifth in m i l i t a r y s p e n d i n g , I n d i a remains heavily reliant on arms imports, especially for a d v a n c e d s y s t e m s l i k e combat aircraft To address this, the Indian government has enacted policies aimed at reducing dependence on f o r e i g n a r m s B y e a r m a r k i n g 7 5 % o f i t s c

continuation of the recent j u r i s p r u d e n c e o n P M L A , w h i c h h a s r e a d t h e constitutional mandate and rights into PMLA,” the judge said

The case is at the stage of consideration regarding n o t i c e O n A p r i l 2 5 , additional solicitor general SV Raju, appearing for ED, s u b m i t t

accused On April 9, ED filed

numbers 1 and 2 under Secs 3 and 4 (which deal w i

and its punishment) and Sec 70 (offences by companies) of the Prevention of Money L a u n

if proved, attract a maximum imprisonment of seven years The chargesheet names s e v e n a c c

individuals and two private companies - Sonia Gandhi,

NORTH-EAST

PM Modi unveils India’s

1st transshipment hub in Kerala

T H I

M in ist er Na r e nd ra Mod i in a ugu ra t ed t he Vizhinjam Inter national Seaport in Kera la’s

T h ir u v a n a n t ha p ur a m T h

wa s compl eted a t an estima ted cost of £886 7mn

The Prime Minister formall y commissioned t he first phase of the facil ity in t he presence of Ke rala Chief Minister Pinar ayi Vijay an, Ada ni Group chairman Gauta m Ada ni and Thir uvan ant hapura m Congr ess MP Sha shi Tharoor

The deep-water port has been developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s largest port developer and part of the Adani Group, under a publicprivate partnership The seaport received its c o m m e r c i a l c o m m i s s i o n i n

December 4, 2024

Vizhinjam deepwater port will triple in three years, allowing some of the world’s largest cargo ships to dock there smoothly PM said t

foreign transshipment hubs where 75% of its transshipments currently happen, in what was an obvious reference to Colombo and Singapore He added that this shift could

opportunities in Kerala

The £880mn Vizhinjam project is India’s first dedicated transshipment hub with its

natural depth of nearly 20 meters allowing large ships to berth, something that is not possible at the smaller ports in the country

Modi linked the project to India’s broader

Amrit Kaal Vision and India-Middle EastEurope Economic Corridor announced at the G20 summit While the port itself was under

construction and equipment involved private sector collaboration, particularly Adani Ports, which is operating the terminal

Highlighting govt’s focus on maritime

turnaround time of ships at India’s major ports He also said the reformed regulations concerning Indian seafarers, was yielding significant results While in 2014, the number of Indian seafarers was little over 120,000, today this has surged beyond 320,000

devotees killed as wall collapses at Andhra temple

temple

Response Force (NDRF) and the police

The deceased include four men and three

George Hospital in Visakhapatnam

A t e c h i

Visakhapatnam district was among the victims of the tragic accident Pilla Uma Maheswara Rao (30) and Pilla Sailaja (26) were employed with HCL and Infosys in Hyderabad Sailaja's mother, Venkat Ratna (45), and aunt G Mahalakshmi (65) were also killed in the wall collapse

The incident occurred around 3 15 am when devotees were queued up to buy t i c k e t s f o r d a r s h a n d u r i n g Chandanotsavam, an annual festival The Chief Minister Chandrbabu Naidu has o r d e r e d a p r o b e b y a t h r e e - m e m

c o m m i t t e

25,00,000 ex gratia each for the families of the deceased and Rs 300,000 each to the injured

Punjab refuses to spare a single drop of water to Haryana

C HA ND IGA RH : A mid a stand-

o ff between Punjab and Haryana

o v er w a ter -s h a ri ng , t h e

B h ag w ant M ann g o v ern m en t m oved a resolu tion in the state assem bly vow ing not to sp are even a sing le d ro p of w ater from its sh are for the neig hbo uring state

P u n j a b ' s W a t e r R e s o u r c e s

ass embly (MLAs) from Mani pur has submitted

Minister Narend

Modi and

mposed on 13th Febru ary, 2025,

and expectati ons However, nearly three months l ater, no vis ible acti ons to restore peace and normalcy have been seen, ” the

etters read

unrest, the letters said, “There is a strong apprehension among the public that violence may reoccur Several civil society organisations have begun opposing the President’s Rule and are demanding the formation of a popular government Public rallies and street meetings are being held, where ruling MLAs are blamed for not staking claim to form a government and for the imposition of President’s Rule ”

peace and normalcy in Manipur We assure you of

restoring peace if

Haryana Haryana has used all its share of water till March 31 Now BJP wants to give the water of Punjab to Haryana," according to the resolution The resolution said that during the last three years, the Mann government has

every farm in Punjab A

Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal moved the resolution during the s p e c i a l s e s s i o n o f t h e s t a t e assembly, and it was taken up f o r d i s c u s s i o n i n t h e H o u s e G o y a l , w h i l e r e a d i n g o u t t h e resolution, said the BJP has been trying to take away the rights of Punjab through its governments in Haryana and at the Centre, a n d t h e B h a k r a B e a s Management Board (BBMB) "By calling a meeting of the B B M B i n a n u n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l and illegal manner, an attempt is being made to forcefully provide P u n j a b ' s r i g h t f u l w

P u n j a b t o r e l e a s e w a t e r f o r drinking purposes on April 6, it showed a big heart and gave 4

Mamata visits Murshidabad weeks after riots

KO LK A T A: More than a month a f

Ban erje e se t foot in the di stri ct on Mon day - her firs t vis it s ince the violen ce Th e delay , s he s aid, w as inte ntion al

" I c o u l d h a v e g o n e t o

Murshidabad earlier, but if there is no peace and stability there, we

s h o u l d n o t g o a n d d i s t u r b S t a b i l i t y h a s r e t u r n e d t o

Murshidabad long back Today, I am going there," Banerjee said, just before beginning her two-day visit

While the administration claims

n o r m a l c y h a s b e e n r e s t o r e d , residents in areas like Dhuliyan are still reeling from the aftershocks of the unrest “I will visit violence-hit Dhuliyan and give compensation to p e o p l e w h o s e h o u s e s a n d s h o p s were damaged,” she added

B u t B a n e r j e e d i d n ’ t s t o p a t promises of relief She launched a direct attack on the BJP-led central

Gurus have taught us that giving water to any thirsty person is a great virtue," said the resolution Goyal, citing the resolution, said the population of Haryana is 30mn and it needs only 1,700 c

h u m a n needs "Now, Haryana is saying that they need 8,500 cusecs of water all of a sudden Punjab does not h

demand So, BJP forcibly called

popular government is reinstated,” the letters added The signatories include 14 BJP MLAs along with three National People’s Party (NPP) MLAs, two Naga People’s Front (NPF) members, and two independents A signatory said, “We now have the support of 32 MLAs If no positive response comes from Delhi, we may stake a claim to form the government after May 15 ” The legislators reportedly have the support of the 10 Kuki-Zo M

requesting anonymity

BJP LEADER HOLDS MEETING WITH EX-MANIPUR CM

Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa e

n d e d f u l l

p p o r t t o t h e resolution, asserting that there i s n o t e v e n a s i n g l e d r o p t o spare

manner and passed a resolution that Punjab will have to give its water to Haryana from its own s h a r e , " h e s a i d " T h i s i s n o t acceptable to us," the resolution s a i d P a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h e d i s c u s s i o n , L

14 killed as flames rip through Kolkata hotel

Mamata Banerjee

government, accusing it of stoking communal tensions and failing in i t s d u t y t o p r o t e c t t h e n a t i o

borders

She also claimed that people affected by the riots were being kept from meeting her “The families a f

n Murshidabad were being prevented by the saffron camp from meeting me, ” Banerjee alleged

K O L K A T A : At le as t 14 peo ple los t their lives after a fire b roke out i n a hotel in cen tral Kolkata, a sen ior poli ce of f i c e r s a i d S pe a ki n g to r ep or te r s , Ma noj Kum ar Verm a, Kolkata Poli ce C o m m i s s i o n e r , s a i d , "T h i s f i r e oc curred a t around 8:15 pm at the premis es of R ituraj Hotel Fourteen bodies have been recovered, an d the teams have resc ued several people "

"The fire is under control he added A special team has also been formed for the investigation," he said The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained

Following the fire, CM Mamata Banerjee expressed condolences to families and said, “ my heart goes out to the victims of the fire incident that took place at a private hotel (Rituraj) in Burra Bazar area I monitored the rescue and fire fight operations throughout the night and mobilised maximal fire brigade services in the area, ” Banerjee said in a post on X Earlier, Union Minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar urged the state administration for "stricter monitoring" of fire safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future R e a c

President Subhankar Sarkar also slammed the Kolkata Corporation "This is a tragic incident A fire broke out A lot of people are still stuck in the building There was no safety or security I don't know what the corporation is doing," Sarkar said

BJP North East in-charge Sambit Patra met former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh for over two hours during a high-stakes visit to the troubled state The closed-door meeting at Singh's residence occurred immediately after Patra returned from Churachandpur district, where ethnic tensions remain high Sources confirmed several MLAs attended the private discussion with the former chief minister Following this meeting, Patra visited Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata at his residence before engaging with multiple legislators Earlier, Patra travelled to Churachandpur where he met with Thanlon BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, who has been confined to a wheelchair since surviving a mob attack during the outbreak of ethnic violence in 2023 The two held a 30-minute private discussion at Valte's residence During his Churachandpur visit Patra also met Churachandpur MLA LM Khaute and received a memorandum from leaders of the Zomi Students Federation The BJP leader s extensive meetings across ethnic lines come amid increasing political pressure to resolve Manipur's crisis

GREEN LIGHT FOR HIGHSPEED SHILLONGSILCHAR HIGHWAY

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development, maintenance, and management of a 4-lane Greenfield Access Controlled National Highway No 06 This highway will stretch 166 80 km from Mawlyngkhung near Shillong in Meghalaya to Panchgram near Silchar in Assam The project will be executed on a Hybrid Annuity Mode with a total capital cost of £2 28bn Of the total length 144 80 km will be in Meghalaya and 22 km in Assam The proposed corridor aims to enhance the service level for traffic between Guwahati and Silchar It will significantly improve connectivity to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and the Barak Valley region of Assam from the mainland and Guwahati, reducing travel distance and time This development is expected to boost the nation's logistics efficiency The corridor will also strengthen connectivity between Assam and Meghalaya fostering economic development including industrial growth in Meghalaya

WEST

Bhagwant Mann

Continued from page 1

‘Justice is served’: India strikes Pakistan

India has exercised significant restraint in both the selection of targets and the method of execution This operation follows the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen As committed, those responsible are being held accountable A detailed briefing on Operation Sindoor will follow shortly ”

In an X post, the Indian Army

Hind!” while sharing the official

Several leaders, including Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, also shared videos

operation

This action follows the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali

Sindoor’ appears to be a tribute to the young Indians, including Navy Lt Vinay Narwal, who were in

weddings A poignant image of his grieving wife went viral, stirring

country

S h a r i f C h

d t h a t I n d i

u n c h e d m i s s i l e s a t t h r e e c i t i e s M u z a f f a r a b a d , K o t l i , a n d

Bahawalpur from within its own

t e r r i t o r y H e s a i d t h e m i s s i l e s targeted civilian areas but did not breach Pakistani airspace

In recent days, there has been continuous firing in the Poonch and Rajouri districts The Indian Army tweeted, "Pakistan has once a g a i n v i o l a t e d t h e C e a s e f i r e Agreement by firing artillery in the Bhimber Gali area of Poonch-

R a j o u r i T h e I n d i a n A r m y i s responding appropriately and in a calibrated manner "

In his first response to India’s

O p e r a t i o n S i n d o o r s t r i k e s o n P a k i s t

Trump said, "It's a shame We just

heard about it as we were walking i n t o t h e O v a l O f f

might happen, given the history They’ve been fighting for many, many decades, centuries, if you t h

quickly

Minister Attaullah Tarar stated t

detailed damage assessment and reserves the right to respond to I

d India's attack, claiming it targeted civilians, including women and children, and civilian structures, such as accommodations and a mosque Tarar asserted there were no terrorist camps in the area, d

journalists to Bahawalpur the day after the attacks

Pakistan is a victim of terrorism, with 90,000 lives lost in the fight against it He accused India of

incidents like the Jaffar Express hijacking and the assassination of

attack in Balochistan He refuted

losing seven soldiers in a recent

incident occurred 200 kilometers from Pakistan’s Line of Control He also noted that the Pahalgam

c r i t i c i z e d I n d i a ’ s r u l i n g B J P , a c c u s i n g t h e m o f p e r s e c u t i n g

minorities and seeking any excuse to attack Pakistan, despite lacking evidence

*This is a developing story For updates check our website Power cut in Muzaffarabad after reported blasts

Multiple loud explosions were

r e p o r t e d i n t h e m o u n t a i n o u s areas surrounding Muzaffarabad,

t h e c a p i t a l o f P a k i s t a n i -

untreated for over an hour Tarar d

stating there’s no evidence linking Pakistan to the attack, while India

administered Kashmir, and in two o t h e r l o c a t i o n s i n t h e r e g i o n , according to Reuters and local TV c h a n n e l s W i t n e s s e s s a i d t h e blasts led to a complete power outage in Muzaffarabad

In response, a spokesperson f o r P a k i s t a n ’ s m i l i t a r y c o n d e m n e d t h e i n c i d e n t a s a “ s h a m

carried out from within Indian

Veteran home guards women ready to serve again

Wom en hom e guard s who served d u ring the 19 71 Ind ia- Paki stan w ar in Bh uj have exp ressed their readiness to d efend the nation o nce m ore if need ed Reflecting o n h er w art i m e e xp er i enc es , J y o ti be n U p ad h y ay, a f o rm er Hom e Gu ard, shared h ow they p atrolled th e streets of Bhuj in g ro u p s d u ri ng bla c ko u ts to reassure th e local residents

Jyoti Kothari, another Home Guard from 1971, remembered their extensive weapons training Jyoti recalled, I joined the Home Guard in 1971 When the war

Europe Underl ining India’s position on ties w

par tner ship to fl ourish,

impor tant to be sensitive to each other ’ s con cer ns J

sentiment on several occasions in the past f

expansion of energy ties with Moscow after the Russia-Ukraine war broke out On this o c c a s i o n , h i s c o m m e n t s a l s o f o l l o w e d repeated calls by Western countries for India to not escalate tensions with Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack Calling the situation alarming, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, after a conversation w i t h J a i s h a n k a r a n d h e r P a k i s t a n i counterpart Ishaq Dar, had urged restraint saying escalation helped no one

“When we look out at the world, we look for partners; we do not look for preachers, particularly preachers who do not practice at home and preach abroad I think some of Europe is still struggling with that problem Some of it has changed,” Jaishankar said, while adding Europe has “entered a certain zone of reality check ”

During the blackout, we p

s together to reassure the frightened residents " S h e c o n t i n u e d , "Today, the situation is escalating once again We women m u s

remain vigilant Even if we are called for desk duties, I am ready to serve once more " W e w e r e t h o r o u g h l y trained in weapon handling I

S Jaishankar

“Now, whether they are able to step up to it or not, it is something we will have to see But from our point of view, if we are to develop a partnership, there has to be some u n d e r s t a n d i n g , t h e r e h a s t o b e s o m e sensitivity, there has to be a mutuality of interest and there has to be a realisation of how the world works,” he said

The minister was also critical of earlier attempts by the West to find a solution to the Russia-Ukraine war without involving Russia, saying it “challenged the basics of realism ” “Just like I am an advocate of Russia realism, I am also an advocate of America realism,” he said at the ‘Arctic Circle India Forum ’ “I think the best way to engage today’s America is also through finding mutuality of interests rather than putting ideological differences upfront and then allowing it to cloud the possibilities of working together,” he added

airspace,” adding that all Pakistani Air Force jets are airborne The s p

Islamabad would respond

at a time and place of its choosing ” Mock drills to prepare for hostile attacks

India has launched nationwide civil defence exercises on May 7, a s k i n g

s t a t e s a n d U n

o n Territories to conduct drills in 244 civil defence districts The aim is to test the country’s preparedness

war-like scenarios with air raid sirens, communications with the I

measures, and the camouflaging of vital installations The drills will also evaluate civil defence services,

operations, and evacuation plans

The directive was issued by the D

Services, Civil Defence, and Home

discussions with PM Modi and

exercises also focus on training civilians, students, and volunteers in civil defence tactics

leaders briefed PM Modi on their operational readiness, with crossborder firing continuing along the LoC and rising tensions in the Arabian Sea Modi has granted the military full operational freedom to respond to terrorism

and

India has reduced Chenab river flows, citing the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty

European carriers have rerouted flights

and the

a t e a m t h a t w e should contribute in any way we c a n , g i v e n t h e c u r r e n t circumstances, she said

Shankaracharya expels

Rahul Gandhi from Hinduism

Senio r C ongress leader Rahul Gandhi h a s be en b ran d ed

A v im u kte sh w a ra nan d S ara sw a ti o f

Jyotish P eeth in Uttarakhand

He has also demanded that Rahul's access to Hindu temples be prohibited nationwide, claiming that the Congress l e a d e r s r e m a r k s o n M a n u s m r i t i i n Parliament have offended supporters of Sanatan Dharma Three months ago, Rahul Gandhi was asked to explain his stance on the issue, but he did not reply, the seer disclosed Swami Avimukteshwaranand has urged all Hindu priests to abstain from conducting any religious rites or pujas on G

against Hindu principles P I L

no justification in keeping the PIL pending P

court’s Lucknow bench declined to spend a

saying the petitioner was at liberty to seek alternative legal remedies Justices AR Masoodi and Rajiv Singh reasoned that since the Union govt was unable to set a timeframe to resolve the petitioner’s complaint, there was certainly

worker from Karnataka, claimed to have acquired documents and emails from the UK govt proving that Rahul was a British citizen and, therefore, ineligible to contest elections and become an MP India doesn’t allow dual citizenship In the previous hearing on April 21, the court was told that the Centre had written to the UK govt seeking details about claims that Rahul held British citizenship The bench gave the Union govt until May 5

Rahul’s election to Lok Sabha from Raebareli last year The Centre’s counsel told the court that no time limit could be set with regard to this since information from the UK govt was still awaited at this point of time

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati & Rahul Gandhi

Salman Khan to star as Army officer in Galwan clash film

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is reportedly in talks to star as an Indian Army officer in a war drama based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, according to Bollywood Hungama.

The film may be directed by Apoorva Lakhia, known for Shootout at Lokhandwala A source revealed that Lakhia, who acquired the rights to India’s Most Fearless 3, discussed the project with Salman after being introduced by producer Jordy Patel Salman is said to be seriously considering the role

The upcoming film will be based on a chapter from India’s Most Fearless 3 by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh, focusing on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash The story has reportedly resonated with Salman Khan, who is keen to play an army officer and is considering the project as a follow-up to Sikandar If confirmed, shooting is expected to begin in the second half of 2025 Despite offers from top directors like Kabir Khan and Ali Abbas Zafar, Salman is leaning toward this new collaboration with Apoorva Lakhia, which will also feature four other key actors Salman Khan was last seen in Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss, where he played Sanjay “Sikandar” Rajkot, a principled hero Co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, Sathyaraj, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar, the actionpacked film received mixed reviews despite high expectations

Shahid Kapoor speaks on mental health after abil Khan's emotional post

id Kapoor, in a recent Instagram story, shared a photo of himself with a ul note urging everyone to "keep it real" and look within He reflected bout the destination, but about who we become along the way test Instagram story, ‘Kabir Singh’ actor Shahid Kapoor shared a ssage urging followers to “keep it real” and look within, saying, “Life here you get to that’s for fools but who you become in the process ” that he's still a beginner on this journey and remains a student, which e young " id’s post came a day after actor Babil Khan, son of the late Irrfan Khan, n emotional video online, calling Bollywood “the most fake industry ” In the clip, Babil named several peers including Shanaya Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Arjun Kapoor, and Arijit Singh while visibly ssed

Nirmal Kapoor passes away at 90 Nirmal

Kapoor, mother of Boney, Anil, and Sanjay Kapoor, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on May 2, 2025, at Kokilaben Ambani Hospital in Mumbai.

Instagram, Boney Kapoor and his children A

passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, leaving behind a large and devoted family “Her generous spirit and boundless love touched all who knew her She will remain in our hearts forever cherished, forever missed,” it concluded, listing the names of family members Boney simply captioned the post, “Maa” with a pensive emoji

celebrities, including Rani Mukerji, Ananya

Kapoor’s residence to offer condolences Sonam and Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor were also seen outside their uncle’s home

According to ANI, Dr Santosh Shetty,

, confirmed that Nirmal Kapoor passed away peacefully at around 5 25 pm Boney Kapoor arrived at her residence shortly after the news

birthday, with Anil Kapoor sharing heartfelt

strength, and endless sacrifices

Wife of late film producer Surinder Kapoor, Nirmal was mother to Boney, Anil, Sanjay, and Reena

several stars including Arjun, Sonam, Rhea, Harsh Vardhan, Janhvi, Anshula, Khushi, and Mohit

Later, Babil Khan clarified that his emotional video ad been widely misinterpreted In an Instagram post, the ‘Friday Night Plan’ actor explained that he was

@arijitsingh I genuinely don’t have the energy to indulge more, but I do this out of responsibility for my peers I truly admire ”

His team also issued a statement, noting that Babil’s comments came from “genuine admiration” or those he believes are contributing meaningfully to dian cinema The video has since sparked an online ersation about the darker realities of Bollywood and the emotional resilience needed to navigate the industry

TV Listing

MON 12 MAY - FRI 16 MAY 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

14:30 Laxmi Sadaiv Mangalam

17:30 Rasoi Show

18:30 Rashi Rikshawali

19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Loveyatri

20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu

21:00 United States Of Gujarat

21:30 Mayashakti

22:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

23:00 Rashi Rikshawali

SATURDAY 17 MAY 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

MON 12 MAY - FRI 16 MAY 2025

17:00 Anmol Bandhan

17:30 Shrukra Mangal

18:00 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Anmol Bandhan

20:30 Udaariyan

21:00 Choti Sardarni

22:00 Anmol Bandhan

22:30 Shrukra Mangal

23:00 Ramachari

SATURDAY 17 MAY 2025

17:00 Anmol Bandhan

14:30 Laxmi Sadaiv Mangalam

17:30 Rasoi Show

18:30 Rashi Rikshawali

19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Loveyatri

20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu

21:00 United States Of Gujarat

21:30 Mayashakti

21:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

23:00 Rashi Rikshawali

SUNDAY 17 MAY 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

10:30 Best Of Rasoi Show

11:30 Band Baaja Babuchak

14:30 Laxmi Sadaiv Mangalam

17:30 Best Of Rasoi Show

18:30 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Loveyatri

20:30 Lakshya

21:30 Mayashakti

22:30 United States Of Gujarat

17:30 Shrukra Mangal

18:00 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Anmol Bandhan

20:30 Entertainment Ki Raat-Housefull

21:30 RAMACHARI

22:00 Anmol Bandhan

22:30 Shrukra Mangal

23:00 Entertainment Ki Raat-Housefull

SUNDAY 18 MAY 2025

17:00 Anmol Bandhan

17:30 Shrukra Mangal

18:00 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Anmol Bandhan

20:30 Entertainment Ki Raat-Housefull

21:30 RAMACHARI

22:00 Anmol Bandhan

22:30 Shrukra Mangal

23:00 Entertainment Ki Raat-Housefull

IPL: Rain ruins Sunrisers hopes

Sunrisers Hyderabad were officially eliminated from the race for the playoffs after rain washed out their IPL match against Delhi Capitals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Monday Electing to bowl first, Hyderabad bowlers, led by captain Pat Cummins (3/19), dished out their best performance with the ball this season restricting Capitals to 133/7.

But their efforts counted for nothing as their chase was abandoned when it started raining during the inning break at 9 22 pm

patches on the outfield forced the umpires to call off play at 11 10 pm With one point

eighth spot with seven points while Capitals consolidated their fifth spot with 13 The visitors, with three games in hand, are very much in the race for a playoff berth

Kolkata beat Rajasthan by 1 run

Rajasthan Royals (RR) by just one run in a dramatic IPL 2025 clash at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata KKR looked in cruise control for most of the match, but a scintillating knock of 95 by RR's stand-in captain Riyan Parag gave them hope of victory, chasing 207 Shubham Dubey nearly pulled off 22 runs in the final over, but a run out on the last ball saw KKR scrape a narrow win Earlier, KKR's star all-rounder Andre Russell returned to form, smashing a 25-ball 57, to help KKR put up 206/4 The win has kept KKR's playoff hopes alive

PBKS beat LSG by 37 runs

Punjab Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 37 runs in their crucial IPL match to move to the second position in the points

table Sent in to bat, Prabhsimran Singh smashed a blistering 48 ball 91 and shared a 78-run stand with skipper Shreyas Iyer (45) to lay the foundation, before Nehal Wadhera (16), Shashank Singh (33) and Marcus Stoinis

( 1 5 ) c

imposing 236 for five In reply, Ayush Badoni fought a lone battle with a valiant 40-ball 74 but lacked support from the other end as LSG were restricted to 199 for 7 in 20 overs, slumping to their sixth loss in 11 games Bengaluru pip Chennai

Opener Ayush Mhatre’s 94 and Ravindra Jadeja’s 77 not out went in vain as Royal

Super Kings by two runs in their IPL match in Bengaluru Chasing 214, CSK scored 211 for 5 in their 20 overs Mhatre scored a 48ball 94 with five sixes and nine fours while adding 114 runs with Jadeja (77 not out) for the second wicket Earlier, Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethel did the early running with well-

applied the finishing touches with a brutal 14-ball unbeaten half-century as RCB raced to a massive 213 for five

GT beat SRH by 38 runs

In a high-scoring thriller at the Narendra M

Titans defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 38 runs With this crucial win, GT continued their resurgence in the second half of the

playoff hopes After being sent in to bat by SRH captain Pat Cummins, Gujarat Titans posted a daunting 224/6 on the board, with their top order delivering in spectacular fashion Shubman Gill led from the front with a masterclass of timing and placement, smashing 76 off just 38 deliveries, including

India stay No 1 in ODI, T20I rankings

I n d i a re tai n ed t h ei r to p p osi ti on in th e ODIs and T 2 0 I s to e xte nd th ei r d ominance in the white-ball formats but slip ped a place to fourth spot in the T est format, in which A ustralia

r ei g ne d s u p rem e , i n th e l at es t I C C an nu al m en ’ s ranking u pdate Th e latest

r ank in g s rate al l m a tch e s p layed si nce May 2 024 at 1 00 p er cent and those of the prev ious tw o years at 50 p er cent

I n t h e O D I r a n k i n g s ,

2 0 2 3 W o r l d C u p f i n a l i s t s

I n d i a h a v e s t r e n g t h e n e d their grip at the top on the

b a c k o f a v i c t o r i o u s I C C

C h a m p i o n s T r o p h y campaign, improving their rating points from 122 to 124

ten boundaries and two sixes His aggressive a

mammoth total KKR keep play-off hope alive

Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Delhi Capitals by 14 runs to keep their IPL play-off hopes alive Invited to bat, a collective batting effort helped Kolkata Knight Riders post 204 for 9 Their bowlers, led by Sunil Narine 3/29, then restricted the Capitals to 190/9 despite contributions by Faf du Plessis (62), Axar Patel (43) and Vipraj Nigam (38) Coming into the game with three losses in their last five matches, KKR got off to a flying start as Sunil Narine (27) and Rahmanullah

opening stand of the season -48 runs off just 17 balls -after DC skipper Axar Patel (2/27) won the toss and opted to bowl However, the defending champions faltered in the middle overs and managed 45 runs in the last five overs as DC pulled back things in the death overs

CSK SIGN URVIL PATEL TO REPLACE INJURED VANSH

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), currently at the bottom of the IPL standings and eliminated from playoff contention, are focusing on rebuilding by recruiting young talent The franchise signed Gujarat s wicket-keeper batter Urvil Patel for his base price of Rs 30,00,000 Patel replaces Vansh Bedi, who has been rendered unavailable due to an ankle ligament injury Bedi was signed for Rs 5,00,000 Patel, the 26-year-old keeper-batter smashed the fastest T20 century by an Indian in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 reaching the milestone against Tripura in 28 balls with seven fours and 12 sixes He surpassed Rishabh Pant’s previous record of 32 balls Additionally Patel holds the distinction of scoring the thirdfastest century by an Indian in List-A cricket, achieving it in 41 balls against Arunachal Pradesh in Nov 2023 In his T20 career, Patel has accumulated 1,162 runs over 47 matches with a strike rate of 170 38 He was previously associated with Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023 but remained uncapped

AFTER DOPE BAN TITANS WELCOME RABADA BACK

Surat’s young a thl ete Ishani

S on d hi ha s a c hie v e d r e m a r k a b l e s uc c e s s a t t h e n ational l evel At the 68th

N a t io na l S c h ool Ga m e s 2 02 4 -2

G ame s Feder ation of India (SGFI), the 11-yea r-old speed s k at e r s e c ur e d t w o go l d m edals in 500m and 1,000m

r ink race s In the U-11 girls’ category

500m race, she claimed gold with a time of 00:00:58 365, w h i l

C o m i n g i n s e c o n d place are the runners-up at the Champions Trophy, New Zealand, overtaking their TransTasman rivals

A u s t r a l i a , w h o n o w occupy the third spot In T20Is, the current w o r l d c h a m p i o n s I

p , although their lead over the second-placed Australia has r e d u c e d f r o m 1 0 t o n i n

number three

R e i g n i n g W o r l d T e s t C h a m p i o n s h i p h o l d e r s Australia have retained their top spot in the Test team rankings, though their lead was trimmed from 15 to 13 p o i n t s a f t e r t h e a n n u a l update Pat Cummins’ side

b o a s t s a

g o f 1 2 6 , staying well in front of the chasing pack

Ben Stokes-led England made a big jump, moving up into the second place while o v e r t a k i n g b o t h S o u t h Africa and India England’s improved position comes on the back of winning three out of their four Test series in the past year Their rating points climbed to 113, while South Africa (111) and India (105) each slipped one place to third and fourth

School

00:00:59 054 Tamil Nadu’s AP Pravasthi Shree secured

081

prowess by

00:00:51 136 and the 1,000m rink race with 00:01:51 957 In the U-17 girls’ category,

Gujarat’s Devam Kotak and Suzan Pathan finished fourth in their respective U-11 boys’ and U-19 girls’ categories

Cricket to be retained in 2026 Asian Games

Th e Olym pic C ouncil of Asia (OCA ) has confirmed that cricket will be a part of the 2026 A ichi Nagoya A sian Games to be held in Jap an from Septem ber 1 9 to October 4 Th e call to retain cricket was taken during the meeting between th e Olym pic Co uncil of A sia (OCA ) and the org anising comm ittee (A INA GOC) earlier this week

" T h e l a t e s t d e v e l o p m e n t i n t h e compilation of the sports programme came at the 41st meeting of the AINAGOC Board of Directors at Nagoya City Hall on April 28, when cricket and Mixed Martial Arts were both formally approved," the OCA said

"The venue for cricket will be in Aichi prefecture but the exact location has not been decided Interest will be high, not only because of cricket's popularity in South Asia in particular but also because the T20 (20 overs per side) format will be included in the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028," the OCA said

"This will be cricket's first appearance in the Olympics since 1900 in Paris, where Great Britain beat France by 158 runs in the final of the two-team tournament Cricket will be among 41 sports featured at the G a m e s ,

officials representing the OCA's 45 National Olympic Committees

Kagiso Rababa hit his stride in the Gujarat Titans nets on Monday as if he was never away Back with the team after serving a 30-day ban for using recreational drugs the South African pacer will be available for GT’s crucial game against Mumbai Indians Rabada was first to hit the nets and bowled close to half an hour before moving around for chats with GT coach Ashish Nehra and MI owner Akash Ambani, among others Vikram Solanki, GT director of cricket was happy to have Rabada back in the fold as the team chases a playoff berth “Kagiso will be available for the match,” confirmed Solanki, before adding: “Kagiso has expressed regret for an error in judgment He is looking forward to getting back to playing the game he loves He will take his lessons from this And we’re just looking forward to having him back ” According to a statement issued by South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) Rabada failed a dope test on Jan 21 during a SAT20 match and he was notified about it on April 1 Subsequently, on April 3, GT said that Rabada had returned to South Africa for personal reasons Rabada, on May 3, had revealed about the positive drug test after serving a month-long suspension and undergoing educational programmes during that time

FIFA BANS BAGAN FROM REGISTERING NEW PLAYERS

The Indian Super League Shield and Cup winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant have been handed a surprise national ban on registration of new players because of a technical glitch’ linked to the transfer of Australian striker Jason Cummings two years ago The club said that it’s a minor issue which is expected to be resolved soon Sources said that a FIFA rule in the international transfer system - called ‘solidarity contribution’ - has led to the ban for Jose Molina’s side Bagan announced the signing of Cummings on a three-year contract on June 28 in 2023 However the FIFA Clearing House has flagged Bagan’s failure in clearing the SC linked to Cummings’ transfer Solidarity Contribution (SC) is a mechanism Fifa introduced with the international transfer system (ITS) following the Bosman ruling When an Fifa-registered player makes an international transfer to another club in a different national association or country, a small percentage of the transfer fees (paid by the new club) is used as a form of compensation or solidarity fund and is given to the clubs and academies which have helped train and develop the player between ages 12 and 23 years