03072025-TTC-01.qxd 7/3/2025 12:38 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 9 NO. 182 | 20 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 HAMAS WON’T EXIST IN POST-WAR GAZA, SAYS NETANYAHU WORLD /thetribunechd HIGH COURT STAYS ORDER TO REPATRIATE PAK WOMAN J&K SBI TO TAG ANIL AMBANI INDIA OFF TO A SOLID START FIRM RCOM’S LOAN A/C IN SECOND TEST AGAINST AS FRAUD BUSINESS ENGLAND SPORT thursday | 3 july 2025 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com Dalai Lama says Trust to select successor, rules out China role Counters bid to assert control over reincarnation Citing Golden Urn rule, Beijing says its approval must; Tibetans call it lie Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 2 In a major development for the Tibetan community, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, on Wednesday announced that “the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue”. He also reiterated that China would have no role in the process of locating the reincarnation of the next Dalai Lama, asserting that the Gaden Phodrang Trust held the sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation. “No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,” a statement from the office of the Dalai Lama said. “I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” the statement read. The decision to continue with the institution came after appeals from various Buddhist organisations across the world. The Dalai Lama noted that he has not spoken publicly on the matter in the past 14 years since September 2011, but had been receiving messages and appeals through different channels from Tibetans The Dalai Lama reads out a message in Dharamsala. PTI TOEING TRADITIONAL METHOD ■ The Dalai Lama affirms the ■ Promised further clarity Gaden Phodrang Trust alone will identify his reincarnation ■ Directly challenges China’s claim over the succession ■ In book released recently, he hinted that his successor could be born outside China around 90th birthday (July 6) ■ Move reinforces his commitment to the centuries-old tradition of reincarnation ■ Offers assurance to followers amid China’s attempts to control the process inside Tibet and from the diaspora, urging him to ensure the continuation of the institution. The announcement coincided with the opening day of a threeday conference in McLeodganj, Himachal Pradesh, where Buddhist scholars and monks from around the world have gathered. The decision on the continuation of the Dalai Lama continued on page 12 Edit: Dalai Lama’s way Arora to join Punjab Cabinet today; portfolio rejig on cards Ruchika M Khanna Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 2 The much anticipated expansion of the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab will take place on Thursday. This will be the seventh expansion of the AAP Cabinet in its over three-year rule. While the induction of Sanjeev Arora, the newly elected MLA from the Ludhiana West constituency, will take place on Thursday afternoon, there will also be a rejig of the portfolios held by ministers. The new portfolios of ministers will be announced after the oath-taking ceremony. Arora will be administered the oath of office and secrecy ONE MINISTER MAY GO ■ This will be the seventh expansion of the AAP Cabinet in its over three-year rule ■ Sanjeev Arora, newly elected MLA from Ludhiana West, will be administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria ■ There is also speculation of one minister being dropped by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. The portfolio to be allocated to new minister Arora has so far not been announced by Chief Minister Mann, though there is speculation that he will get a portfolio dealing with urban voters. Besides the department to be taken away from another minister and allocated to Arora, there are speculations of changes in the portfolios of some other ministers too. As of now, there are 16 ministers in the Mann-led Cabinet, and two berths are lying vacant. Sources in the ruling party have told The Tribune that the AAP leadership does not want to fill the vacancies immediately and an expansion will again take place later this year. There is also speculation of one minister being dropped. If this happens, the Punjab Cabinet will continue to have two vacant berths. Arora was promised a Cabinet berth after he agreed to contest the bypoll. New Delhi, July 2 China on Wednesday rejected the Dalai Lama’s succession plan, insisting that any future heir must receive its approval, in what has added a new chapter to Tibetan Buddhism’s decades-long struggle with the China’s ruling Communist Party. Beijing was responding to the Dalai Lama’s announcement that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust will have the authority to recognise the future reincarnation. At a media briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the traditional Golden Urn process must be followed for the reincarnation. Ning said the Golden Urn system was incorporated in 2007 into China’s official regulations, along with a clause explicitly banning interference by overseas individuals and parties. In New Delhi, Dhundup continued on page 12 Punish Pahalgam attackers without delay, Quad tells Pak Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 2 Amid sustained pressure by India on recognising crossborder terrorism emanating from Pakistan, the Quad has condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and called for acting against the perpetrators, organisers and financiers of the April 22 massacre without any delay. The foreign ministers of the four-nation grouping— India, US, Japan and Australia are its members—met in Washington on Tuesday to firm up a broad agenda for the bloc’s annual summit in India later this year. In its joint statement, the Quad did not mention Pakistan but made it amply clear where it was hinting. The statement used the words “cross-border terrorism” and followed it up by condemning the Pahalgam attack. The statement, which was posted by the US State Department on its website, said, “We condemn in strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and a Nepali citizen.” Blaming Pakistan for aiding, abetting, financing and providing logistical support Amarnath Yatra begins Tribune News Service Shimla, July 2 Denying the allegations of an assault on National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials, in which an FIR has been filed against him, Himachal Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh today claimed that the FIR was part of the NHAI coverup to divert attention from the collapsed building at Bhattakuffar. “It’s a baseless FIR and I deny all allegations levelled in it. The NHAI officials knew that the building collapse would become a big issue, and they lodged the FIR just to divert attention from the real issue,” the minister said at a press conference here. “The FIR doesn’t mean I am guilty. Are there FIR BASELESS, BID TO DIVERT ATTENTION It’s a baseless FIR. NHAI officials knew that the building collapse would become a big issue and lodged the FIR just to divert attention from the real issue. ❝ A Mohali court on Wednesday extended the Vigilance remand of SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia by four days as the bureau sought time to probe benami transactions involving around 402 hectares in Mashobra, Himachal Pradesh. INSIDE S Jaishankar with Australian counterpart Penny Wong on the sidelines of the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Washington, DC. PTI NEW PLAN TO COUNTER CHINA IN INDO-PACIFIC ■ The Quad has prepared a plan on securing critical mineral supply chains to reduce dependence on China ■ Critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and graphite are considered vital for high-end technology products, including electric vehicles ■ China has been a dominant player in critical minerals supply chain globally BACK PAGE for the attack, India carried our airstrikes to dismantle the terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor. “We unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and renew our commitment to counterterrorism cooperation,” the statement said. continued on page 12 PTI NEW DELHI: The monsoon session of Parliament will begin on July 21 and continue till August 21, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday. Earlier, the session was to conclude on August 12, but now it has been extended by over a week. — TNS Window frame of SpiceJetplanefound dislodged mid-air MUMBAI: A window frame of SpiceJet’s aircraft operating its flight to Pune from Goa was found dislodged mid-air but there was no impact on passengers’ safety, the airline said in a statement on Wednesday. The frame was fixed once the aircraft landed at the next (Pune) airport. — PTI Modi likely to visit UK on July 24 for signing Free Trade Agreement Pact set to reduce tariffs, create jobs Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service ■ Amid the chanting of religious hymns and the blowing of conch shells, the annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on Wednesday morning from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu amid tight security arrangements ting crimes against humanity in absentia. A three-member panel of the tribunal-1 (ICT), led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, simultaneously sentenced to two months a fugitive leader of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, ■ Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of 5,892 pilgrims at 4.30 am. The batch included 1,043 women, 31 children and 16 transgender devotees, who travelled in a convoy of 310 vehicles INSIDE Shakil Akanda Bulbul, in the same case. It marks the first time that 77-year-old Hasina has been sentenced in any case since she left office in August last year. “According to the verdict, the sentence will come into effect from the day of her arrest or surrender before the court,” chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told reporters after the verdict was handed down. A state-appointed lawyer is defending Hasina, now staying in India, in the tribunal continued on page 12 New Delhi, July 2 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the UK on July 24 to sign the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aimed at strengthening trade ties, creating more jobs in India and enhancing market access for both countries. The UK Foreign Office has estimated that the new deal could boost bilateral trade by over £25 billion annually. Negotiations for the FTA concluded earlier, with both nations announcing the development on May 6. Modi confirmed the completion of talks after a phone call with his British counterpart Keir Starmer. Under the agreement, the UK will reduce tariffs on 99 per cent of Indian product lines, with significant advantages for sectors such as textiles, footwear and food products. An Indian government statement issued on May 6 said 99 per cent of Indian exports would face zero duty in ON FIVE-NATION TOUR, PM ARRIVES IN GHANA ■ PM Modi was given a cere- monial welcome with a 21gun salute upon his arrival in Ghana on Wednesday ■ Earlier, before departing on a five-nation tour, Modi said India was committed to BRICS as a vital platform for collaboration among emerging economies BACK PAGE the UK market. “The FTA will open substantial export opportunities for labour-intensive sectors like textiles, marine products, leather, footwear, sports goods, toys and gems and jewellery, along with other key areas including engineering goods, auto parts, engines and organic chemicals,” it said. India expects the deal to contribute to job growth and support its broader goal of reaching $1 trillion in annual exports by 2030. In FY 202425, India’s total exports (goods and services) stood at $820.93 billion. Mom’s gruelling 4 am drill behind Punjab girl Tanvi’s USOpen glory Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Anirudh Singh, PANCHAYATI RAJ MINISTER, HP any witnesses, photographs or any evidence supporting the allegations,” the minster asked. Launching a scathing attack on the NHAI, the minister alleged widespread irregularities in its functioning across the state and termed its “officials the most corrupt in the country”. “There’s a nexus between the NHAI, central agencies continued on page 12 MOHALI: Monsoon session of Parliament from July 21 to August 21 Anirudh denies assault In first conviction, Hasina gets 6-mth jail for contempt charge, terms NHAI officials ‘most corrupt’ Dhaka, July 2 Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was on Wednesday sentenced to six months in prison in a contempt of court case by the International Crimes Tribunal, while it now tries her on a major charge of commit- Majithia has402 ha benami property in Himachal:Vigilance Shuttler Tanvi with her mother Meena Sharma. FILE PHOTO Jalandhar, July 2 Had her mother Meena Sharma not mentored her in her initial years and undertaken all the labour for her, things would have been different for Hoshiarpur teen Tanvi Sharma (16), who was ranked as Junior World No. 1 in badminton on Tuesday. She also became the first runner-up at the BWF Super 300 US Open 2025 held on Monday. As Tanvi’s comparison is being drawn with badminton stars PV Sindhu and Saina Today’s issue is of 20 pages, including four-page Jalandhar Tribune. c m y b Volleyball player took badminton lessons to coach her daughter Nehwal, all those who have watched the daily grind that Meena used to go through share that she has been an early riser throughout. “She would reach the Hoshiarpur badminton stadium at 4 am and coach her two daughters — elder Radhika (now 20) and Tanvi. She would bolt the stadium from inside and make them practise rigorously for one and a half hours before getting them ready for school,” said honorary secretary of the Punjab Badminton Association Ritin Khanna. Meena’s determination to make a career for her daughter in sports was not limited to the morning and evening sessions she conducted for them. From 2016-21, she took them to Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad and stayed with them for five years. During this time, she not only took care of their diet, game and studies but also trained as a badminton coach for them. “Henceforth, mother Meena became a personal coach for her daughters, both of whom are international badminton champions today,” said Khanna. “Even though this is just the beginning for Tanvi, the accolades she has been receiving are enough to make me feel extremely proud. Her coach Park Tae Sang’s comment that he can see the same aggression and attack in Tanvi that he saw in Sindhu is the biggest accomplishment for her so far. Olympian continued on page 12