05072025-TTB-01.qxd 7/5/2025 12:19 AM RUSSIA, PAK TO EXPAND RAIL, ROAD CONNECTIVITY WORLD /thetribunechd Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 145 NO. 184 | 20 PAGES | ~7.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HARYANA saturday | 5 july 2025 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com China used Pak as ‘live lab’ to test weapons during Op Sindoor: Army Says India faced trilateral axis as Beijing, Turkiye fought for Islamabad Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 4 China used the four-day IndiaPakistan conflict in May like a “live lab” to test various weapon systems and was providing all possible support to Islamabad, in line with its ancient military strategy of killing the adversary with a “borrowed knife”, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Rahul R Singh said on Friday. In his address at a seminar on ‘New Age Military Technologies’ organised by industry body FICCI, Lieutenant General Singh said Beijing’s support to Islamabad was not surprising as 81 per cent of Pakistan military’s hardware came from China. The Deputy Army Chief, who looks after the force’s capability development and Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Rahul R Singh at a FICCI event. ANI 81% of Pak military hardware from China sustenance vertical, cited China’s ancient military strategy of “36 stratagems” and killing the adversary with a “borrowed knife” to buttress the point that Beijing extended all possible support to Pakistan to harm India. He argued that “China would rather use Pakistan to cause pain (to India) than getting involved in a mudslinging match on the northern frontier”. “When the DGMO-level talks were on, Pakistan actually knew the location of our missiles, which were primed and ready for action. So, they were getting live inputs from China…. That is one field we really need to move fast and take appropriate action,” he said. The Army General also said that India faced a trilateral axis during Operation Sindoor as Pakistan was actively supported by China and Turkiye. “Turkiye also played an important role in providing support to Pakistan, particularly in launching of drone attacks.” He said the strategic messaging by the Indian leadership continued on page 7 CARIBBEAN CONNECT Cong renews call for Parliament debate on India-China ties Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 4 The Congress on Friday reiterated its demand for a parliamentary discussion on India-China relations, citing recent statements by Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Rahul R Singh about India facing dual threats from Pakistan and China. AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Lt Gen Singh publicly confirmed what had been talked about ever since Operation Sindoor was halted abruptly at the intervention of US President Donald Trump. “He has revealed some details of the extraordinary continued on page 7 Interim trade pact with US in sight; agri, auto sticking points Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by the Indian diaspora upon his arrival at Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday. His counterpart Kamla Persad-Bissessar is also seen. ANI New Delhi, July 4 Indian negotiators are optimistic about finalising an interim trade agreement with the US well before President Donald Trump’s July 9 deadline, with officials confident of protecting key domestic sectors like agriculture and dairy — areas where the US has been pushing for greater access. The Indian team, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agarwal, returned from Washington today, with sources saying that a deal was likely to be sealed before July 9, when Trump’s 90-day cooling-off period on continued on page 7 India vows to uphold religious freedom of Tibetans as China warns of impact on ties Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 4 Two days after the Dalai Lama asserted that a Trust will have the sole authority to recognise his future reincarnation, the Centre today said it doesn’t take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion but will continue to uphold freedom of religion. The remarks came hours after China objected to Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju’s assertion that 2-dayPunjabsession on drugs next week CHANDIGARH: The AAP government in Punjab is likely to call a special two-day Assembly session on July 1011 on the drug issue, sources said. The session is expected to focus on the ongoing antidrug campaign and the recent arrest of former minister Bikram Singh Majithia in a drugs case. INSIDE HC junks plea to tag mosque ‘disputed’ PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad High Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking a direction that the word “disputed structure” be used in place of “Shahi Eidgah Mosque” of Mathura. The order was passed on suits relating to Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Idgah mosque dispute. — PTI DALAI LAMA WILL DECIDE ON SUCCESSION People across the world who follow the Dalai Lama want him to decide (on his succession). There is no need for me or government to say anything. Who would be the next Dalai Lama, will be decided by him. Kiran Rijiju, UNION MINISTER ❝ the Dalai Lama should follow his own wishes, urging India to act cautiously on Tibetrelated issues to avoid its impact on the improvement of bilateral relations. On July 2, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, had announced that the “institu- tion of the Dalai Lama will continue”. China, however, claimed that the Dalai Lama’s successor must receive its seal of approval. A day later, Rijiju endorsed the Dalai Lama’s decision, saying no one else but the Tibetan spiritual leader himself had the right to take the decision. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, at a media briefing, said India should be clear of the “anti-China separatist nature” of the 14th Dalai Lama and honour its commitments on Tibet-related issues. Beijing also asked India to exercise caution in its words and actions and stop “interfering” in China’s internal affairs with Tibet-related issues and avoid impact on the improvement and development of ties between the two nations. continued on page 7 Kangana blames Jai Ram for not visiting flood-hit Mandi, triggers political storm Dipender Manta Tribune News Service Mandi, July 4 As a political storm erupted over the absence of Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut from her constituency amid massive raintriggered devastation, the actorturned-politician today clarified that it was former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur who had advised her not to visit the region until road connectivity was restored. The first-time BJP MP is facing sharp criticism on the social media and other platforms for allegedly failing to stand with her constituents when Mandi was reeling under one of the worst natural tragedies. “It’s heart-breaking to see massive flood devastation in Himachal almost every year now. I tried reaching the An NDRF team during a rescue operation at Seraj in Mandi. JAI KUMAR affected areas, but was advised by Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur to wait until connectivity to rain-hit areas is restored,” Kangana posted on X. She also wrote that NEERAJ CHOPRA SET TO HOST NC CLASSIC IN B’LURU SPORT she was awaiting clearance from the local administration, and that she would “be there soonest possible”. continued on page 7 edit: after the deluge c m y b