19082025-TTB-01.qxd 8/19/2025 1:13 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 145 NO. 228 | 18 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  DELHI RUBIO FLAGS CHINA REFINING, SELLING RUSSIAN OIL WORLD /thetribunechd STUDY CONFIRMS SNOW LEOPARDS PRESENT YEAR-ROUND IN UT J&K NO PROPOSAL TO LEVY CHOUHAN FOR CRACKDOWN TRANSACTION CHARGES ON SALE OF SPURIOUS FARM ON UPI: GOVT BUSINESS INPUTS BACK PAGE tuesday | 19 august 2025 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com India-China ties rest on ‘3 mutuals’ Wang told , EAM pitches for mutual respect, sensitivity & interest Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service US President Donald Trump with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House amid negotiations to end the war with Russia. REUTERS Trump promises security for Ukraine, says pact attainable US Prez meets European leaders after talks with Zelenskyy Putin dials PM Modi, Washington, August 18 US President Donald Trump said on Monday a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine was attainable as he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. He said the US would help Europe in providing security to Ukraine as part of any deal to end the war. Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, said all would prefer an immediate ceasefire but he was optimistic that an agreement could be reached to deter aggression in Ukraine. But Trump also suggested that he no longer believed reaching a ceasefire was a necessary prerequisite for striking a peace agreement, backing a position staked out by Russian President Vladimir Putin and opposed by Zelenskyy and most European leaders. Zelenskyy and Trump expressed hope that the talks at the White House could lead to trilateral talks with Putin to bring an end to the war. The two leaders took ques- tions from the media in the Oval Office before meeting in private, six months after their last appearance there descended into disaster when Trump and Vice-President JD Vance upbraided Zelenskyy in an extraordinary public dressing-down. This time, Trump and Zelenskyy struck a far more convivial tone, despite the US President’s movement toward Russia in recent days following his summit in Alaska with Putin. continued on page 8 briefs him on Alaska New Delhi, August 18 Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and shared an assessment of his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska. Putin and Trump had met for nearly three hours on Friday to discuss a possible resolution of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. In his call to Modi, Putin shared details of his meeting with Trump. continued on page 8 New Delhi, August 18 India and China need to “take forward” the de-escalation process along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a meeting here this evening. He suggested that the two nations should be guided by three “mutuals” — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest. “Differences must not become disputes nor competition conflict,” Jaishankar said. “The basis for any positive momentum in our ties is the ability to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas. It is also essential that the deescalation process moves forward,” Jaishankar said while making his opening remarks at the meeting with Wang. Wang spoke about consolidating the momentum of the China-India relations. This is the second time in less than five weeks that Jaishankar has stressed the need for de-escalation along the LAC — the disputed border between the two countries. At a meeting in Beijing on July 14, Jaishankar had conveyed to Wang how it “is incumbent upon us to address other aspects related to the border, including de-escalation”. At the meeting today, Jaishankar said, “India and China have been through a difficult period in their relationship.” Mohali court junks Bikram Majithia’s bail plea in DA case MOHALI: A Mohali court on Monday rejected the bail plea of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who was arrested recently in a disproportionate assets case. Majithia’s counsel said the bail application was dismissed as the investigation was still ongoing. The former Akali Dal minister now has the option of moving the High Court. — TNS Delhi HC reserves order on Rashid’s pleaoverexpenses External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (not in pic) in New Delhi on Monday. PTI NEED TO TAKE DE-ESCALATION PROCESS FORWARD The basis for any positive momentum in our ties is the ability to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas. It is also essential that the de-escalation process moves forward. S Jaishankar, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER ❝ WANG GOES TO PAK FROM INDIA China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Islamabad this week to attend the Pakistan-China strategic dialogue and hold meetings with the civil and military leadership to discuss bilateral ties as well as key regional and international developments, a media report said. Wang will undertake a two-day visit to the country beginning August 21. He added, “Our two nations now seek to move ahead. This requires a candid and constructive approach on both sides.” The two ministers also discussed economic and state issues, people-to-people contacts, river data sharing, border trade, connectivity and bilateral issues. Wang arrived in India on Monday afternoon for the 24th round of Special Representative (SR)level talks with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, scheduled for Tuesday. This is also the first visit by a Chinese minister since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and continued on page 8 NEW DELHI: The Delhi HC has reserved its order on jailed J&K MP Engineer Rashid’s plea for modification of the order asking him to deposit Rs 4 lakh towards expenses on travel to Parliament while in custody. The court observed that if Rashid wasn’t given interim bail, why should he, and not the jail authorities, bear the costs? — TNS Agniveer passes awayinlineofdutyin Ladakh’s Siachen SRINAGAR: An Agniveer died on Monday in the line of duty in Siachen area of Ladakh,. “The General Officer Commanding, Fire and Fury Corps, and all ranks salute Agniveer Arun, who made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Siachen on Monday and offer condolences to the bereaved family,” the Army’s 14 Corps said in a post. — PTI Action plan readied to Oppn mulls impeachment motion against CEC end G’gram infra woes Accuse him of failing to discharge constitutional duty EC releases list of 65L ‘Model of Governance’ deleted names in Bihar may be replicated in Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Gurugram, August 18 The residents of Millennium City may soon get relief from the ongoing infrastructure crisis with Haryana finalising an action plan to address their problems. The proposed action plan, if successful, may be replicated as Gurugram’s “Model of Governance” in other cities of the state. Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Rajesh Khullar here today said under the resolution plan, joint efforts would be made to address issues surrounding sanitation, roads, drainage, stray animals, trimming and disposal of trees, and open garbage burning. The action plan has been prepared based on feedback from various citizen groups, resident welfare associa- New Delhi, August 18 The Congress-led INDIA bloc on Monday accused the Election Commission of failing to discharge its constitutional duty of ensuring a free and fair electoral system, and did not rule out moving an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, who, it alleged, was acting like a “BJP spokesperson”. The INDIA bloc indicated that it was keeping all options open regarding the need to act against the CEC. Addressing a press conference held by the alliance, Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said there was a consensus in the Opposition on the need to act against Kumar. InPunjabCabinetrejig, Harbhajan ETO loses Power berth to Arora other Haryana cities tions, social and other institutions, etc. A drainage plan presented by the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) authorities suggested linking of major storm water drains with the Najafgarh drain to solve waterlogging. The sewage treatment capacity of 408 MLD would be increased to 950 MLD by 2028 with new and upgraded sewage treatment plants at Bajghera, Dhanwapur, Behrampur, and Sectors 78 and 107. Khullar separately met municipal corporation councillors and Class-I officers continued on page 8 Tribune News Service LoP in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, and TMC MPs Abhishek Banerjee and Kalyan Banerjee protest at Parliament. PTI “Among the options discussed, there was a broad agreement on the need to act against him. An appropriate decision will be taken at the right time,” Gogoi told reporters, responding to a question on whether the Opposition was mulling any move to remove the CEC. RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha said the Opposition was not only keeping all constitutional continued on page 8 New Delhi, August 18 The Election Commission (EC) on Monday came out with the names of 65 lakh people who were removed from the draft electoral rolls in Bihar following the special intensive revision (SIR). The Supreme Court, in an order on August 14, had directed the EC to publish an enumerated, booth-wise list of the voters not included in the draft electoral roll published on August 1. More than 65 lakh enumeration forms were “not included” in the draft electoral rolls prepared as part of the SIR, bringing down the total num- Tejashwi takes Masih dig at poll panel chief ber of around 7.9 crore registered voters to 7.24 crore. Patna accounted for the highest number (3.95 lakh) of “not included” enumeration forms. It was followed by Madhubani (3.52 lakh), East Champaran (3.16 lakh), Gopalganj (3.10 lakh), Samastipur (2.83 lakh), Muzaffarpur (2.82 lakh), Purnia (2.739 lakh), Saran (2.732 lakh), Sitamarhi (2.44 lakh), Katihar (1.84 lakh) and Kishanganj (1.45 lakh), according to the EC. The EC claimed that 22,34,501 persons were identified as continued on page 8 Politics, pandemonium rule LS during discussion on Shukla Ujwal Jalali CHANDIGARH: Harbhajan Singh Tribune News Service ETO has lost his Power portfolio to the new entrant in the Bhagwant Mann Cabinet, Industry Minister Sanjeev Arora. Harbhajan, however, has retained the PWD ministry. Representing Jandiala Assembly segment in Majha, Harbhajan was caught in a controversy earlier this year when the PSEB Engineers Association wrote to the CM seeking action against politicians seeking party funds. The issue had then rocked the Vidhan Sabha, giving opposition parties an issue to target the government. INSIDE New Delhi, August 18 The Opposition on Monday boycotted the proceedings in the Lok Sabha and created a ruckus during a special discussion on “India’s space programme and its role in Viksit Bharat-2047” to celebrate the feat of Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla. The astronaut recently returned from a historic stint on the International Space Station (ISS). The opposition benches raised slogans and stalled business, ultimately forcing the House to be adjourned for the entire day. The Oppo- Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla at his residence in New Delhi on Monday. PTI Oppn boycotts proceedings| Unfortunate, says Rajnath ASTRONAUT GIVES PM MODI MISSION PATCH PM Narendra Modi met Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla in New Delhi on Monday. The Prime Minister’s Office released a video showing Modi hugging Shukla. The astronaut gifted the PM the patch of Axiom-4 mission. The Lucknow-born astronaut also shared pictures he had taken from the ISS with Modi. THAROOR BREAKS RANKS, HAILS ACHIEVEMENT In a dramatic twist, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor broke ranks to shower praise on Shukla, calling his mission “a stepping stone to Gaganyaan” and a “symbol of India’s space ambitions”. sition INDIA bloc has since the beginning of the monsoon session launched a fullscale attack on the ruling party and vociferously Today’s issue is of 18 pages, including four-page Delhi Tribune. c m y b demanded a discussion on the Election Commission’s special intensive revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar. However, the government has maintained that the SIR matter is sub judice and cannot be discussed in the House. During a brief discussion in the House marred by pandemonium, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said India’s space economy would reach $45 billion in the next 10 years and an Indian astronaut would herald Viksit Bharat by landing on the moon in 2040. “India will set up its own Bharat Antariksh Station in 2035 and in 2040, an Indian astronaut will set foot on the moon,” Jitendra Singh said as opposition members created a continued on page 8 DMK MP Tiruchi Siva Oppn mulls TN v/s TN in V-P poll, will take final call today Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, August 18 Opposition leaders could well be mulling the prospect of making the September 9 vice-presidential election a contest between two Tamil Nadu personalities. MAY BET ON ISRO EX-SCIENTIST ANNADURAI, DMK MP SIVA After a preliminary meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted at his residence this evening to discuss the V-P nominee, another opposition meeting will be held tomorrow afternoon to take the final call. Sources said the DMK had proposed for the post acclaimed scientist Mylswamy Annadurai, who has worked with the Indian Space Research Organisation. Another source said DMK leader in Rajya Sabha Tiruchi Siva was also in contention, though nothing was final and all names were only in the realm of discussions. Siva, when contacted after the joint opposition press conference against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh continued on page 8