FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. XLII No. 85 | INDORE | TUESDAY | SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 FREE www.freepressjournal.in Sports India concludes preparatory camp in Visakhapatnam P.12 ‘India & Russia walk shoulder to shoulder’ Ashwin Ahmad NEW DELHI Even as Russian President Vladimir Putin laid out the red carpet treatment for him, PM Narendra Modi declared that “even in difficult circumstances, India and Russia have always walked shoulder to shoulder. Our close ties are important, not only for our two countries, but also for global peace, stability, and prosperity.” The two leaders held talks on Monday on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Tianjin, China. Highlighting the importance of the India-Russia relationship, the Putin waited for Modi and took him in his limousine to the venue where the two leaders held bilateral talks. MEA officials said the two leaders spoke for over 45 minutes in the car and thereafter held a one-hourlong bilateral meeting. There is no word on what the two discussed in private or whether there were translators present but both leaders can get by in English. The PM later expressed satisfaction with the sustained growth in India-Russia ties in the economic, financial, and energy sectors. 4Continued on | P8 CARPOOL DIPLOMACY FP News Service MUMBAI Forget summit tables and stiff handshakes. In Tianjin, Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin took diplomacy for a spin — literally. After the SCO summit, Putin rolled up in his gleaming Aurus limousine and waited a full ten minutes before Modi fp Briefs BHOPAL Shukla gets addl charge State government has given additional charge of Home Department to Additional Chief Secretary, Culture and Tourism Department, Sheo Shekhar Shukla on Monday. This charge has been given to him in the wake of retirement of J N Kansotia as ACS Home on August 31. PATNA ‘Hydrogen bomb’ of disclosures Days after accusing the BJP of stealing elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday threatened that he will soon amplify his charges by coming out with more "vote chori" disclosures that would be like a "Hydrogen bomb" and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not be able to show his face to the country. NEW DELHI SC junks PIL against E20 The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a PIL filed against the rollout of 20 per cent ethanolblended petrol (E20) without giving consumers the option to buy ethanol-free fuel. A Bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran passed the order after the Central government opposed the plea. appeared. Only then did the two settle into the backseat. What should have been a brisk drive to the Ritz-Carlton (venue of India-Russia bilateral meeting) stretched into a 45-minute huddle, the car parked outside while the engine purred and the world speculated. 4Continued on | P8 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE UJJAIN WORLD PRESS PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit Thailand loses its PM again P.6 Xi slams bullying practices in veiled snipe at Trump Cinema Sumona reveals car was mobbed... P.14 TIANJIN DECLARATION | Group says it recognised leading role of sovereign states in countering terrorist and extremist threats SCO condemns Pahalgam attack, double-standards PTI TIANJIN The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and concurred with India's position that "double standards" in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable. The influential grouping listed its strong resolve to combat terrorism in a declaration that was unveiled at the end of its two-day annual summit, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and many other global leaders. The SCO said it recognised the leading role of sovereign states and their competent authorities in countering terrorist and extremist threats. The SCO member states also condemned the military strikes by Israel in Gaza, as it has led to numerous casualties among the civilian population and a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Strip. The declaration said the member states noted the role of the SCO in restoring the global economy, maintaining the stability of global production and supply chains, and ensuring further sustainable development. The SCO's affirmation comes amid the Trump administration's tariff tussle. Handshake, hug, pat on back: Modi’s gestures did the talking Development India maintains opposition to BRI Bank approved India on Monday refused to endorse China's ambitious Belt and Road initiative (BRI), becoming the only country in the SCO not to support the connectivity project. A declaration unveiled at the end of the SCO summit in this Chinese port city said Russia, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their support The declaration said the member states support the further improvement and reform of the global economic governance architecture and will consistently uphold and Ye Bharat ka samay hai: CM Yadav launches Vikramaditya Vedic Clock, app, leads bike rally Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday announced that the SCO member states have decided to set up a Development Bank to increase the efficiency and social development of the region. The approval to set up the bank, a Chinese proposal, came after 10 years of deliberations among the member countries, Wang said strengthen an open, transparent, fair, inclusive, non-discriminatory and multilateral trading system based on rules promoting the development of an open global economy. The A hug with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a handshake with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a pat on the back for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and not a glance at Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gestures at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit were as clear as his words in defining who's a friend and who's not. In a very public display of bonhomie amid US President Donald Trump's tariff offensive, Modi and Putin carpooled as they headed to the venue of their bilateral meeting on Monday. Sources said the Russian leader waited for about 10 minutes for PM Modi to join him on the ride from the SCO conference venue to the bilateral meeting declaration mentioned ways to enhance regional security and identified combating terrorism as a major challenge. 4Continued on | P8 Too late: Trump PTI NEW YORK/WASHINGTON US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that India has now ‘offered’ to cut its tariffs to zero, but said the move has come too late. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US does very little business with India, while India does a large amount of business with the US. He added that India sells massive amounts of goods to the US, its biggest “client,” but the US sells very little to India. “The reason is that India has charged us, until now, such high tariffs, the most of any country, that our businesses are unable to sell into India. It has been a totally one-sided disaster,” Trump said. 4Continued on | P8 Our Staff Reporter How it works Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday unveiled the Vikramaditya Vedic Clock, installed at the newly constructed gate of CM House, Bhopal. Touted as the world’s first Vedic clock based on Indian time calculation, it follows solar movement, marking the start of a new day with sunrise, rather than midnight. At a Yuva Samvad event held at his residence, Yadav said, “Ye Bharat ka samayhai” (This is India’s time), calling the innovation a modern expression of a glorious tradition. He said the clock is a symbol of Indian pride and heritage, showcasing a balance of tradition, development, nature and science. 4Continued on | P8 Secret gun factories busted after 40 yrs Inter-state supply ring exposed »Based on Kaal Ganana, the traditional Indian system of timekeeping »Day divided into 30 parts (each approx. 48 minutes), from sunrise to next sunrise » Reflects a dynamic, naturealigned rhythm of time » Real-time updates include: »Nakshatra, Tithi, Yoga, Karana »Daily Muhurat » Sunrise and sunset timings »Planetary positions »Festival dates and Panchang data »Mobile app combines Panchang data with smart tech Agencies WASHINGTON US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reminded India that the friendship between the peoples of the two countries was the “bedrock of cooperation.” The comment came as PM Modi met Russian President Putin to deepen ties. The US Embassy in New Delhi shared a post on X on Monday, describing the IndiaUS ties as a defining relationship of the 21st century. It said the partnership continues to reach new heights, driven by people, progress, and possibilities in areas such as innovation, entrepreneurship and defence. 4Continued on | P8 Motormouth Navarro targets Delhi again FP News Service MUMBAI White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro has shot his mouth off again on India and tariffs. Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Navarro said that losing the ongoing trade case would be disastrous for the United States. He went further, accusing Indian elites of exploiting ordinary citizens. “I would just simply say to the Indian people, please understand Calls out ‘Brahmins profiteering’ what’s going on here. You got Brahmins profiteering at the expense of the Indian people. 4Continued on | P8 800 killed in Afghanistan earthquake AP KABUL BHOPAL Rubio pipes up: Remember US Desperate Afghans clawed through rubble in the dead of the night in search of missing loved ones after a strong earthquake killed some 800 people and injured more than 2,500 in eastern Afghanistan, according to figures provided Monday by the Taliban government. The 6.0 magnitude quake late Sunday hit towns in the province of Kunar, near the city of Jalalabad in the neighbouring Nangahar province, causing extensive damage. The quake at 11:47 pm was centred 27 kilometres eastnortheast of the city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, the US Geological Survey said. It was just 8 kilometres deep. India ready to provide aid: PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep anguish at the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Afghanistan, and said India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected. Modi said on X, "Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the earthquake in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult hour, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured. India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected." Salman Lala’s supporters choke AB Road for hours Our Staff Reporter INDORE Shallower quakes tend to cause more damage. Several aftershocks followed. Footage showed rescuers taking injured people on stretchers from collapsed buildings and into helicopters as people frantically dug through rubble with their hands. A Taliban government spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said at a press conference Monday that the death toll had risen to 800 with 2,500 injured. He said that most of the casualties were in Kunar province. Buildings in Afghanistan tend to be low-rise constructions, mostly of concrete and brick, with homes in rural and outlying areas made from mud bricks and wood. Many are of poor construction. Tendulkar family explores Maheshwari textile heritage Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL In a major breakthrough, Bhopal Crime Branch has unearthed a secret arms manufacturing network that operated undetected for over four decades in Tikamgarh district. The racket, run by the Vishwakarma family for three generations, supplied countrymade firearms across state borders under the cover of agricultural equipment fabrica- tion. Two illegal gun factories were discovered, one concealed inside a house in Chanderi village (Kudila police station area) and the other inside a warehouse in Ramgarh (Jatara police station area). 4Continued on | P8 The funeral procession of gangster Salman Lala not only drew thousands of mourners but also brought traffic to a standstill in the Chhoti Khajrani area. The large turnout of sympathisers also choked AB Road. Gangster’s supporters parked their vehicles, including four-wheelers and twowheelers, haphazardly on the road, bringing traffic to a standstill. Though a heavy po- Traffic chaos due to Salman Lala’s funeral procession. Pic by Pintu Namdev lice bandobast was put in place, the cops failed to end the chaos on the roads. Their efforts to divert traffic failed, leading to a snarl spread up to 1.5-km on the AB Road, See page 2 for more the lifeline of the city. By 5 pm, the situation worsened as vehicles remained stranded for almost half an hour, and the 4Continued on | P8 offgrid When rains came, Chandrapura fed donkey Gulab Jamuns FP News Service MANDSAUR In Chandrapura, the heavy showers after a long, punishing dry spell were welcomed not with umbrellas or hot chai — but with gulab jamuns for a donkey. The villagers believe the rains were no accident. On August 22, desperate for relief, they turned to age-old traditions to please Lord In- dradev. It was no ordinary prayer. A donkey was made to plough a field, urad and salt were sown in Muktidham, and villagers bowed before Lord Kaal Bhairav. Following ancient customs, one brave local even rode a donkey unclothed — a ritual said to strengthen the plea for rain. When clouds finally burst between August 31 and September 1, the villagers were convinced their devotion had the tale — was offered gulab jamuns, as residents clapped, prayed, and laughed together. “Tantric rituals can yield results when done with a pure heart and noble intention,” explained councillor representative Shailendra Giri Goswami, who, along with Shani Mandir Samiti president Sohan Singh Bhadauriya, led the rituals. worked. So, on Monday morning, at the Pashupati- nath Temple Gate, the humble donkey — the unlikely hero of 4Continued on | P8 FP News Service MAHESHWAR On the second day of two-day visit to Maheshwar, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, along with his wife Dr Anjali Tendulkar and daughter Sara Tendulkar, explored the rich cultural and textile heritage of the city on Monday. The family was particularly fascinated by the heritage of the world-renowned Maheshwari sarees. The Tendulkars visited Rewa Society where they interacted with local weaver women and posed for photographs. Expressing the team's excitement, CEO Sandra Kumari of the Rewa Society said, ‘Our weavers may not know cricket, but everyone knows Sachin Tendulkar. His presence filled everyone with joy.’ Sachin and his family were enlightened about the intricate process of Maheshwari saree weaving and the society's journey since 1978, when Maharaja Shivajirao Holkar and Maharani Shalini Devi Holkar initiated efforts to revive the art with just 10–15 weavers. Currently, the society supports over 5k artisans. He also learned how the sarees, once only cotton-based, are now also crafted from silk. Dr Anjali Tendulkar asked insightful questions about the sarees’ patterns and vibrant colours which are inspired by the architecture of Maheshwar Fort. 4Continued on | P8