FRIDAY NO PLAN TO REMOVE ‘SECULARISM’, ‘SOCIALISM’ FROM PREAMBLE: GOVT 25 JULY, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard RUSSIA 48 KILLED AS PLANE CRASHES IN AMUR DEBATES IN PUBLIC CIRCLES ONLY: MEGHWAL A passenger plane carrying nearly 50 people crashed in a remote area of Russia’s far eastern Amur region on Thursday, killing all on board. A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9  NEW DELHI  J8.00 THE POWER OF ZERO Marine products Arms and ammunition OVER Base metals Plastic/Rubber Furniture/Sports goods Gems & jewellery Headgear/Glass/Ceramic Instruments/Clocks Big catch for Indian fishermen as the $5.4 billion British market opens for marine exports with zero duty as against up to 20% now TARIFF LINES DOWN TO ZERO DUTY FOR Electrical machinery Big boost for UK job creation as labourintensive sectors get competitive edge Animal products Leather/Footwear Wood/Paper Processed food Mechanical machinery Textile/Clothing Transport/Auto INDIA and the UK signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to London, sealing the most significant trade pact for Britain since Brexit and marking a major breakthrough in India’s global trade strategy . The deal, finalised after three years of stop-start negotiations, cuts tariffs on key goods like textiles, whisky, automobiles, and electronics, and is expected to double the current bilateral trade of 56 billion by 2030. Negotiated amid shifting global trade dynamics and rising protectionism, the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Ag reement (CETA) opens up one of the world’s fastest-growing markets to UK firms while giving Indian exporters critical access to one of the G7’s leading economies. The agreement is set to take effect after a formal ratification process in the UK, likely within a year or less. “This is a new chapter in the EXPRESS READ RS resolution to extend Central rule in Manipur President’s rule, imposed in ethnic violence-hit Manipur since February 13, will be extended by six months. A resolution admitted in this regard followed a notice given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It will take effect from August 13. The ethnic violence had left over 250 people dead and 60,000 others displaced. | P7 Mass sick leave by AI flight crew: Centre In the aftermath of the horrific Ahmedabad air crash, a total of 112 Air India pilots reported sick on June 16, four days after the crash which killed 260 people. MoS for Civil Aviation Muraidhar Mohol informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday. It includes Commanders (Flight Captain) and First Officers. 7 dead, 27 injured as bus falls into HP gorge Seven people died and around 27 others were injured after a HRTC bus fell into a gorge near Tarangla in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, police said. The bus was en route from Sarkaghat to Durgapur when the mishap took place. Sources said a road cave-in due to heavy rainfall may have caused the accident. Zero duty on major sectors Massive gain for rural India and exporters with zero duty on processed foods as against up to 70% earlier 75,000 Indian workers in UK will benefit from Double Contribution Convention, as it exempts workers from social security contribution for three years Professionals to get better mobility access to the UK. Up to 1,800 Indian chefs, yoga instructors and classical musicians can move temporarily to Britain to provide services Veggies, fruits, spices, cereals & oils J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi Sensitive Indian sectors like dairy, vegetables, apples, cooking oils, oats fully protected under the deal 99% Chemicals & Minerals India–UK economic partnership,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “CETA reflects our shared commitment to enhancing trade, driving inclusive growth, and creating opportunities for farmers, MSMEs, women, youth, and professionals,” Modi said at Chequers , his British counterpart Keir Starmer’s countryside residence 50 km northwest of London. For India, the deal delivers duty-free access on 99% of its exports, spanning labour-intensive sectors such as apparel, marine products, footwear, and engineering goods. High-growth sectors like electronics, chemicals, and auto components are poised for major export gains. In return, India will slash tariffs on 90% of UK goods. The average tariff on UK exports will drop from 15% to 3%. The UK, facing slower postBrexit trade momentum, has touted the deal as its biggest trade success since leaving the EU. “This is the biggest and most economically significant trade deal the UK has made since Brexit,” British PM Keir S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi BIG TAKEAWAYS Indian farmers to get preferential access to UK’s $37.5 billion agriculture market Starmer said. “Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country, delivering on our Plan for Change,” he said. Scotch whisky tariffs will be halved from 150% to 75%, and will fall further to 40% over 10 years. Auto tariffs will be phased down to 10%, while Indian EVs will gain access to the UK under a quota system. The deal enhances cooperation in services, clean energy, and finance. UK firms will gain locked-in access to insurance and financial sectors, while British clean energy companies will enter India’s public procurement market. While the economic gain for the UK of an estimated 6.51 billion USD boost by 2040 is modest relative to losses from exiting the EU, the deal signals Britain’s pivot toward the IndoPacific. The pact indicates India’s growing leverage in shaping fairer, balanced trade terms with developed economies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his UK counterpart Keir Starmer | PTI Modi, Starmer rap democratic space abuse by Khalistanis J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi INDIA and the United Kingdom on Thursday sent a strong, united message against terrorism, with both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Star mer agreeing that there can be no double standards in tackling extremism. Following a bilateral meeting at the Chequers Estate, Modi thanked Starmer for the UK’s strong condemnation of the April terrorist attack in J&K’s Pahalgam that had claimed 26 lives. “We are united in our view that there can be no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism,” Modi said. “We also agree that forces with extremist ideologies must not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms. Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account.” The statement is also seen as a veiled reference to pro-Khalistani activities abroad, amid growing Indian concern over threats to Indian diplomats and missions in the UK. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri later said that India had raised the issue during the bilateral talks. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to enhancing cooperation between their security agencies, including on extradition of economic offenders, a longstanding demand from India involving several high-profile fugitives residing in the UK. They also discussed regional and global challenges. ‘No sympathy for gangsters’: SC directs Centre, Delhi for trial in fast-track courts S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi THE Supreme Court on Thursday emphasised that there should be no sympathy for gangsters and urged the Centre and the Delhi government to establish fast-track courts (FTCs) to expedite trials in gangster-related cases. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a bail plea of an alleged gangster, Mahesh Khatri alias Bholi. The SC asked the ASG, S D Sanjay, what he was doing, after it being informed that there were 288 trials pending in the national capital. “Broad daylight murder on the street and person goes scot-free due to lack of evidence. The Rule of law is absolutely impaired in the eyes of the common man... There should not be misplaced sympathy with gangsters. Society needs to get rid of them. What is happening in NCR, Haryana,?” the top court said. Highlighting pending trials PAGES 12 7/11 Mumbai train blasts: SC stays Bombay HC verdict Landmark free trade deal with UK signed in the presence of PMs Modi and Starmer slashes most tariff lines to zilch 0% DUTY ON THE FOLLOWING, DOWN FROM 4-20% NOW  In a written reply, law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said while there may be debates in public or political circles, “no formal decision has been announced by the government” regarding amendments to these terms. Last month, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale called for a national debate on whether the two terms should remain in the Preamble. P7 in gangster-related cases, the SC called on the Centre and Delhi government to consider establishment of FTCs. Stressing on the need of witness-protection in such cases, it asked ASG, Sanjay to take steps in this regard. There was a rising threat to rule of law due to criminal incidents, it added. The apex court also in a far sighted remark added that if the proposed decision is taken by the governments in establishing FTCs, then all pending trials can be brought to an end. THE Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Bombay high court verdict of July 21 acquitting all 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train bomb blasts case, but said they need not return to jail. A two-judge bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh issued notice to all the accused in the case and sought their responses on the appeal filed by Maharashtra challenging the Bombay HC judgment. During a brief hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Maharashtra, requested the court for a stay of the judgment, citing that some observations made by the high court in its verdict of July 21 can impact other pending trials under the MCOCA. Mehta also clarified that he File photo was not seeking an order from the court to direct the accused, who were released from prison fo l l ow i n g t h e r u l i n g , t o surrender. The bench said it had been informed that all respondents have been released and there was no question of bringing them back to the prison. “Taking note of submissions made by the SG on the question of law, we are inclined to hold that the impugned judgment shall not be treated as a precedent. FOOT BROKEN BUT NOT HEART, PANT BATS AGAIN F I R O Z M I R Z A @ Manchester To that extent, there is a stay of the judgment,” said the court. On July 21, a special bench of the Bombay high court of Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak acquitted all the 12 accused, saying the prosecution utterly failed to prove the case and it was “hard to believe the accused committed the crime”. The Maharashtra government on July 22 knocked the doors of the Supreme Court challenging the verdict. More than 180 people were killed when seven blasts ripped through Mumbai local trains at various locations on the western line on July 11, 2006. The Maharashtra government challenged the Bombay high court judgment on several grounds, including that the recovery of RDX from an accused was disbelieved on a “hypertechnical ground” that the seized explosives were not sealed with a lac seal. Delhi govt launches online OPD registrations EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE ON Wednesday, Rishabh Pant had to be driven off the field on a yellow ambulance (a makeshift buggy). His right foot, just below the small toe was swollen and blood was dripping from the wound. He was grimacing in pain both body and mind. On Thursay, what seemed inevitable trickled in, the news of Pant; he has broken his right foot and will be out of the England Test series. Later, pictures of him with moonboot on his right foot went viral and everyone thought he would no longer be a part of fourth Test. Pant was an embodiment of stoic human resistance. The entire Old Trafford stadium rose when he wobbled down the stairs of the pavilion to bat. For a man who has endured the most harrowing of life’s pain, a near-fatal car crash end of 2022, this injury seemed bearable. Pant the fighter would not have missed the opportunity to bat and add few more runs. Unbeaten on 37 off 48, Pant faced seven balls adding two runs to his overnight total and ran three for his partner Washington Sundar before @ New Delhi Rishabh Pant bats with fractured foot in 4th Test on Thursday | AP light drizzle forced an early lunch. India, however, lost two quick wickets to be reduced to 337/8 when Pant decided to open his arms and collect as many boundaries as he can. Incidentally, Pant had injured his left index finger during the Lord’s match. India lost two wickets after lunch when Pant decided to open his ar ms. He first smashed Jofra Archer to over midwicket for a six to equal Virender Sehwag’s record of 91 sixes — the most by an Indian in Tests. Pant then drove England captain Ben Stokes’ full delivery to covers for a four completing his halfP11 century . HISTORIC ALL-INDIAN WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FINAL Koneru Humpy takes out top-seed, will face Divya Deshmukh in two-match final IN a big push to digital healthcare, the Delhi government on Thursday unveiled an expanded Health Information Management System (HIMS) that will allow patients to ditch physical queues and book appointments online. The initiative was launched by Delhi CM Rekha Gupta at the Secretariat. She also inaugurated 34 Ay u s h m a n Mandirs and eight Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The HIMS, based on the NextGen e-Hospital software, integrates Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs, allowing for secure and centralised tracking of patient health data, officials said. Gupta described the HIMS as a crucial step towards transparency and efficiency in public healthcare. “It’s a huge relief for the people of Delhi, who will no longer have to stand in long queues or run from pillar to post. Everything is going digital,” she said. The system will be linked to ABHA IDs of patients and would store all their health records, relieving them from the hassle of carrying all reports while visiting doctors. “The health data of every patient will now be digitally recorded, making it easier for doctors to provide continued and effective treatment. This digital platform will connect hospitals, doctors and patients on one network,” Gupta said. Over 93 lakh ABHA IDs have already been generated in Delhi, she added. QUICK PERMITS Minibuses disappearing from Kerala roads as demand soars in TN J O S E K J O S E P H @T’Puram KERALA is witnessing a sharp exodus of minibuses. Around 300 of these vehicles, primarily 23 to 33-seaters that operated in the state were sold to buyers in Tamil Nadu between June 2024 and June 2025, according to sources in the private bus sector. Industry insiders said if the trend continues the remaining 800-odd minibuses operating in the state could vanish from the roads within 2-3 years. Most of the buses were sold as Tamil Nadu offers quick permits for private services on rural and interior routes, unlike Kerala where operators often face bureaucratic hurdles and financial strain. The minibuses being sold are mostly 8-10 years old and have become economically unsustainable for many owners. “About 300 mini buses have already been sold to Tamil Nadu. Unlike Kerala, the government there gives route permits without much delay. We saw a similar trend in 2003 when our state stopped renewing permits for buses older than 15 years. Still, buyers came from Andhra Pradesh and TN. The same is now happening with mini buses,” said Hamsa Erikunnan, general secretary of the Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation. He said minibuses disappeared from the capital city nearly eight years ago and warned that other districts, including Malappuram, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Cherthala and Alappuzha are heading in the same direction. “This trend directly affects the livelihood of bus workers. If 300 buses leave, it impacts more than 600 people. These are not just numbers, these are jobs lost,” he said. Many buses were sold after obtaining NOC for re-registration in Tamil Nadu, while others were sold off without proper documentation to quickly cut losses. George Antony, a former bus owner, said he was spending nearly `8,000 a day on his minibus while making only `3,000 in return, an unsustainable situation worsened by high maintenance costs. “My father bought the bus eight years ago for `12 lakh.” he said.