Monday India u19 women’s team on top of the world 03 The Niki Prasad-led side beats South Africa in the final to successfully defend their title... February, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in pic: icc facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard france bayrou sings barnier’s tune Political uncertainty is looming in France again after PM Francois Bayrou threatened to use special powers to get his budget approved without a vote Page 9 All-round Trisha stands out for champions A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS l New Delhi US starts tariff war with Mexico, Canada, China; India spared j aya n t h j a c o b @ New Delhi WHO has an edge in the battle for capital? Both the BJP and Congress have announced a slew of freebies, following the AAP’s path. Meanwhile, the ruling party’s standing among Delhiites refuses to corrode completely | P4 US President Donald Trump late on Saturday imposed broad tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, sparking swift retaliation from North American neighbours. India was notably exempt despite Trump frequently labelling the country as a “tariff king.” India contributes only 3.2% of America’s overall trade deficit, but has a $35 billion trade surplus with the US. China, Mexico, and Canada are the top contributors to the US trade deficit, with Asian giant contributing the highest at 30.2%, Mexico 19%, and Canada 14%, according to the Research and Information System (RIS). Trump said a levy of 25% on Canadian and Mexican imports as well as an additional 10% tax on Chinese goods would come into effect on Tuesday . “We have big deficits with all three of them,” Trump said. In response, both Canada and Mexico said they were prepar- ing similar tariffs on US goods, while China said it would take “necessary countermeasures” to defend its interests. Amid ongoing tariff threats, India has emphasised that its economic ties with the US are special and highlighted the established mechanisms between the two countries to discuss trade matters and related issues. “India-US relationship is very strong, multifaceted and the economic ties are something which is very special...We have established mechanisms between the US and India to discuss any matter or trade matters or matters related to trade,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week. India has been making the right noise to improve its trade relations with the US, with the the Union Budget announced a reduction in customs duties on imported motorcycles. India has also taken steps to open the nuclear sector to private investment as part of a strategic move. A response in kind Canada PM Justin Trudeau announced they will respond with 25% tariffs against $155 billion worth of American goods, including alcohol, furniture and orange juice. He asked Canadians not to buy US products or vacation in US. Mexico cautious Mexico limited public statements to saying the government was prepared for whatever was coming and that it would ensure the country was respected. Cong’s EAGLE panel to monitor EC poll conduct Modi slams AAP’s ‘fake’ promises, says budget ‘most favourable’ Pree t h a n a i r @ New Delhi a n u p verm a @ New Delhi Days before the Delhi Assembly elections, the Congress on Sunday set up an eight-member panel—‘Empowered Action Group of Leaders and Experts (EAGLE)’— to monitor the conduct of free and fair elections by the Election Commission. “It is a very serious message from Congress that the Election Commission is a constitutional body, and so far, its conduct has not been in line with its constitutional responsibilities of conducting free and fair elections,” senior Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty told this newspaper. “The group will coordinate and ensure that the EC is held responsible for the conduct of free and fair elections,” Chakravarty said. With only one day left for the Delhi assembly poll campaign to end, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday targeted AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, saying that the middle-class views the Budget 2025-26 as the “most favourable” in India’s history . He said his government has eliminated the income tax for individuals earning up to `12 lakh. “This change will save middle-class citizens thousands of rupees.” Modi was addressing BJP’s ‘Delhi Sankalp rally’ in South Delhi’s RK Puram. Alleging that the AAP government has “ruined” the city, the PM said, “AAP-da has wasted 11 years of Delhi. I would request every family to allow us to serve you. I guarantee that we will spare no effort to resolve all your problems.” He pledged that `2,500 would start being credited to the bank accounts of Delhi’s women by March 8. Modi attacked the AAP dispensation, saying “the straws of the broom were scattering”. He said AAP leaders, sensing that people are disillusioned with the party, are leaving it. Modi also described it as a fight between his guarantees and AAP’s false promises.  More reports on Page 3 & 4 This election, the fight is between Modi’s guarantees and AAP’s false promises. I am determined to strengthen the four pillars of India to realise the dream of ‘Viksit Bharat’ Narendra Modi, PM Will collect more taxes in FY26: FinMin official ter Nirmala Sitharaman announced a slew of sops to ease The government is confident of the burden on the taxpayers. achieving the income tax collec- Her personal income tax propostion target for FY26 despite mas- als include a hike in the threshsive tax cuts offered in old up to which no tax is the Budget 2025-26—a levied on income. The move that will result in income threshold was a revenue loss of `1 lakh hikeed from `7 lakh to crore. As per the Budget `12 lakh, making any inestimate, personal income up to `12.75 lakh come tax collections tax free (after including could be `14.38 lakh ‘Tax cut to the standard deduction crore in FY26, a 14.4% stimulate of `75,000). increase over the reThe new tax slab also growth’ vised estimate of `12.57 significantly reduces lakh crore for FY25. The The income tax tax burden on all with relief will FY25 budget estimate the highest tax rate of stimulate for tax collection was 30% applicable on indemand and `11.87 lakh crore. come over `24 lakh from The FY26 tax collec- propel growth the earlier `18 lakh. The in the next tion target is achievable, new tax slab hikes the says a top finance min- financial year, basic exemption limit Economic istry official, adding: from `3 lakh to `4 lakh, Affairs “Our estimate for inwhich means the first `4 come tax collection in Secretary Ajay lakh would attract no Seth said in an taxes. The changes have FY26 is conservative.” interview to According to the offibeen made under the cial, with the tax slabs PTI on Sunday new tax regime. being revised and tax Sitharaman said her rates having been lowered for income tax proposals would lead most in the existing slabs, indi- to a revenue loss of `1 lakh viduals earning over `12 lakh crore. Increase in income tax but avoid paying taxes, would threshold to `12 lakh would relike to come under the tax net. sult in one crore taxpayers going On Saturday, Finance Minis- out of the tax net. D i pa k M o n d a l @ New Delhi pic: pti Needed to convince officials about efficiency in collection and honest taxpayers’ voice Niramala Sitharaman PM backed tax cut plan, took time to convince officials: FM E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ New Delhi PRIME Minister Narendra Modi was fully behind the idea to cut taxes for the middle class but it took time to convince the bureaucrats, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday . Presenting her eighth straight budget on Saturday, Sitharaman raised the personal income tax exemption to `12 lakh from `7 lakh earlier, and also rejigged the tax brackets in such a way that those earning higher could save up to `1.1 lakh. In an interview to PTI on Sunday, she said while Modi was quick to agree to the tax relief, it took a bit of convincing to get on board the officials in the finance ministry and the Central Board of Direct Taxes who are tasked to ensure revenue collection to meet welfare and other schemes. “We have heard the voice of the middle class” who had been complaining about their aspirations not being met despite being honest taxpayers, Sitharaman said. | P7 l J8.00 l PAGES 12 She was already a World Cup winner in 2023, but this time, G Trisha was the key architect behind India’s success story. With 309 runs and seven wickets, she was instrumental in India’s unbeaten run to the final. Even in summit clash, she took three wickets and scored an unbeaten 44 to help India get the better of South Africa by nine wickets on Sunday. Fittingly, she was the Player of the Match in the final and the Player of the Tournament Second title for coach Nooshin  Revered coach Nooshin Al Khadeer added another trophy to her cabinet having won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2023  She, along with captain Niki Prasad, had been with this batch of players for several months in the lead up to the WC with several camps and domestic tournaments being the key to putting together a strong squad 17 with 17 scalps, Vaishnavi Sharma was the leading wicket-taker