29052025-TTC-01.qxd 5/29/2025 12:59 AM 13 PRESIDENT PUTIN PLAYING WITH FIRE: TRUMP WORLD /thetribunechd Page 1 SHAH ON TWO-DAY VISIT TO UT FROM TODAY J&K CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 9 NO. 147 | 16 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 thursday | 29 may 2025 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com Misri on US visit; interim trade deal likely by June 25 New Delhi, May 28 Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri began his US visit with high-level talks on critical and emerging technologies even as both countries edge closer to finalising an interim trade pact by June 25. Misri met US Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler to advance cooperation in semiconductors, quantum computing and clean energy, while also discussing the early convening of the India-US strategic trade dialogue to strengthen tech and trade collaboration. In a parallel development, a US delegation is expected to visit India next month for trade talks, with sources indicating that an interim agreement is “on track” by June 25. continued on page 8 Tharoor echoes Modi on strikes; Lokpal clean chit to SEBI ex-chief Buch Cong fumes, calls him BJP’s voice Rejects plaints linked to Hindenburg PM must speak on Trump truce claim, says Ramesh States defer MHA Ujwal Jalali Aditi Tandon New Delhi, May 28 After a detailed inquiry, the Lokpal on Wednesday gave a clean chit to former Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chief Madhabi Puri Buch and disposed of the complaints on graft allegations against her based on the Hindenburg Research report. The anti-corruption ombudsman, in a 116-page order, said the complainants had failed to even frame specific and valid allegations under the Prevention of Corruption Act. “As such, there is no foundation whatsoever for establishing even a prima facie case of corruption against Madhabi. mock drill; panic in Jammu border belt Tribune News Service NewDelhi, May28 Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday drew the ire of his party for echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the history of counter-terror strikes against Pakistan and Operation Sindoor. “Tharoor should be declared a super spokesperson of the BJP even foreign minister , before he returns to India,” suggested Congress leader Udit Raj, whose remarks AICC media chief Pawan Khera promptly endorsed. At the heart of the consternation are Tharoor’s remarks An all-party panel led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in Panama City. ANI that the Indian military crossed the LoC and International Border for the first time in 2016 and 2019 to avenge the Uri and Pulwama terror attacks. These remarks align with the PM’s line on counter-terrorism, but contradict the Congress’ publicly stated continued on page 8 New Delhi, May 28 Hours after the Ministry of Home Affairs announced a civil defence exercise on Thursday in all districts of states and UTs along the western border, the authorities in Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Chandigarh expressed inability to conduct the drill citing “administrative reasons”. In J&K, panic gripped the residents of Poonch, many of whom fled the town fearing a repeat of the deadly shelling on May 7, the day a similar drill was planned. INSIDE Ex-Union Minister & Akali Dal veteran Dhindsa dies at 89 Tribune News Service SANGRUR: Former Union Min- Madhabi Puri Buch This raises an important question of the real motivation behind filing such baseless complaints,” read an excerpt from the order, accessed by The Tribune. In January 2023, US shortseller Hindenburg published a report accusing the Adani Group of financial irregularities, leading to a significant continued on page 8 Fazilka SSP suspended Around the world in 8 months Paddy MSP up by ~69; after 4 cops held for graft 2 Navy officers set to dock in Goa today after 50,000 km voyage ragi gets boost of ~596 Vijay Mohan Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 28 A day after the Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested four policemen in Fazilka for allegedly taking a bribe from a minor boy over videos in his phone, the state government on Wednesday suspended Fazilka SSP Varinder Brar in connection with the case. A spokesperson said following an investigation into corruption allegations linked to the bribery case involving Minor’s kin ‘paid’ ~1 lakh over videos in phone four police officers, action was taken against the senior officer. However, police sources claimed that the suspended officer had maintained a clean record until now. Finance Minister Harpal Cheema had announced the arrest of the four policemen on Tuesday, reiterating the continued on page 8 Chandigarh, May 28 After an eight-month-long audacious circumnavigation of the globe in a small sailboat, two women Navy officers, Lt Cdr Roopa A and Lt Cdr Dilna K, are set to dock in Goa on Thursday. The maritime odyssey has not just been a challenging adventure but a test of human grit, determination, endurance and seamanship The two officers had embarked on the continued on page 8 Tribune News Service Lt Cdr Roopa A (right) and Lt Cdr Dilna K aboard INS Tarini. PIC: NAVY Today’s issue is of 16 pages, including four-page Jalandhar Tribune. c m y b New Delhi, May 28 The Union Cabinet on Wednesday raised the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy by Rs 69 per quintal to Rs 2,369 per quintal for the 2025–26 kharif marketing season. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told mediapersons after the meeting that the increase in the MSP of the kharif crops would ensure BOON FOR FARMERS Crop MSP 2025–26* Paddy (Common) 2,369 Paddy (Grade A) 2,389 Jowar (Hybrid) 3,699 Bajra 2,775 Ragi 4,886 Maize 2,400 Increase (~) 69 69 328 150 596 175 *~/QUINTAL remunerative prices to the growers for their produce. continued on page 8 ister and SAD ex-patron Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa died at a Mohali hospital on Wednesday. He was 89. He is survived by his wife Harjit Kaur, two daughters, Mandeep Kaur and Ramandeep Kaur, and a son, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, a former Punjab Cabinet Minister. INSIDE Have44legislatorsto form govt, Manipur BJP leaders tell Guv NEW DELHI:Forty-four MLAs are ready to form a new government in Manipur, BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam Singh said on Wednesday after meeting Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan. Singh was accompanied by nine other MLAs. INSIDE 39-year-old dies of Covid in Chandigarh CHANDIGARH: A 39-year-old labourer, hailing from Firozabad in UP who was putting up at Samrala in Ludhiana, died of Covid at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. This is the first Covid death in Chandigarh after the recent surge. — TNS