TUESDAY 2.4 lakh 11 INDIANS LIVING IN FRANCE AS PER DATA BY THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS FEBRUARY, 2025 INDIA, FRANCE HAVE SHARED INTEREST FOCUSED ON FRIENDSHIP, SAYS MACRON Ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Paris, the French president said the two countries share common interests FRENCH PRESIDENT HOSTS MODI FOR DINNER epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard Modi, who arrived in Paris on Monday night, will attend a dinner hosted by Macron at Élysée Palace. The highlight of his two-day visit to France will be the AI Action Summit, which he will co-chair with Macron on Tuesday. The two leaders will review the progress made so far on the 2047 Horizon Roadmap for India-France strategic partnership X.com/TheMornStandard KOSOVO NO MAJORITY, PM HUNT FOR ALLIES PM Albin Kurti’s Left-wing party won most seats in the weekend parliamentary election, but was left without a majority in the house, forcing it to look for an ally. A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9  NEW DELHI  J8.00  PAGES 12 MACRON CALLS INDIA A TRAINING SUPERPOWER Macron on Monday praised India’s strength in technology and education. He called India a training superpower, noting that the country trains more engineers a year than the US, Europe combined Don hints at new tariffs Sonia’s push for population census ahead of Modi’s US visit RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR @ New Delhi Trump likely to announce additional 25% tariffs on steel, aluminium D I PA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi AHEAD of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US on February 12-13, US President Donald Trump has hinted at imposing a new 25% import duty on steel and aluminium— a move seen as an effort to boost domestic manufacturing. Speaking to reporters on his way to the NFL Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday Trump , indicated that such a tariff action was under consideration. If implemented, it would be a repeat of the March 2018 decision by the then Trump administration, which had imposed a 25% duty on steel and a 10% levy on aluminium. The move could affect key trading partners, including India which exported $3 billion worth of iron, steel, and other steel products to the US in FY24. India’s aluminium shipments to the US were valued at around $1 billion during the same period. Among the major steel exporters to the US are Canada, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, and Vietnam. Trump is known to use tariffs as a negotiating tool to secure better trade and US President Donald Trump US move worrying, says industry body The Indian Steel Association on Monday expressed ‘deep concern’ over the US plan to impose tariffs on steel imports. “This is expected to slash steel exports to the US by 85%, creating a massive surplus that will likely flood India,” ISA president Naveen Jindal said investment deals. If the new tariffs kick in, experts warn of retaliatory measures from China, South Korea, Japan, and the European Union. While the industry is worried about the impact on India, a commerce ministry official said it would be limited if the tariffs are applied uniformly across all countries. India recently announced a major overhaul in import duties in the Union Budget, a move widely seen as a pre-emptive response to avoid trade tensions with Trump. Speaking to this paper, Revenue Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey highlighted that out of 8,562 tariff lines, 6,500 are below 10%, 7,600 are below 15%, and 8,400 are below 20%. Additionally, 260 tariff lines will now have zero duties. (Tariff lines categorise products for import duty purposes.) According to an analysis by the Global Trade Research Initiative, many of the goods on which India has reduced import duties would directly benefit US exports. For instance, India cut tariffs on motorcycles with an engine capacity below 1,600cc from 50% to 40%, while for those above 1,600cc, it has been cut from 50% to 30%. “US motorcycle exports to India stood at $3 million in FY2024, and this tariff cut could expand market access for American manufacturers,” noted the GTRI analysis. P7 IN her first intervention in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget session on Monday, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi strongly emphasised the need for a population census at the earliest. Around 14 crore people are currently being deprived of benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) primarily due to outdated population data being used to identify beneficiaries, she said. Introduced by the UPA government in September 2013, the NFSA was described by her as a landmark initiative aimed at ensuring food and nutrition- The head of the Office of Special Counsel, a federal agency that seeks to protect whistleblowers in the US, has sued President Donald Trump saying he was illegally fired as part of the massive overhaul of the government | P5 JOINT JOYRIDE OF IAF, ARMY CHIEFS SHOWS CAMARADERIE, TRUST IN LCA IN the face of questions being raised on delays and safety of the light combat aircraft Tejas, the eve of Aero India 2025 saw Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh taking to the skies from Air Force Station Yelahanka in the two-seater multi-role fighter. And he wasn’t alone. The seat behind him was occupied by an old buddy and batchmate at the National Defence Academy, who is now the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), General Upendra Dwivedi. It was for the first time that two heads of respective armed forces flew together on a fight- Had he (Gen Dwivedi) been in the Indian Air Force, he would have been the air chief, not me ... It was a wonderful experience. He put a lot of trust in me —Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh However, she pointed out that the allocation of food grains under the Act is still based on the 2011 Census data, which no longer reflects the population’s actual size. “The government should complete the population census at the earliest,” she asserted. WHO NEXT AGAINST TRUMP FOR UNLAWFUL FIRING Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Air Chief Marshal A P Singh during Aero India 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on Monday; (left) Russia’s multirole fighter aircraft SU-57 on the 1st day | ALLEN EGENUSE the two had in the cockpit mid-air, Air Chief Singh said, “He was giving me instructions.” That the instructions came from the CoAS — who has probably never flown a fighter, and definitely not the LCA — to the Air Chief who is a veteran fighter pilot, was in itself humour in unifor m.General Dwivedi termed the sortie as one of the most memorable moments of his life. “Had he (Gen Dwivedi) been in the IAF, he would have al security for the people. She commended the NFSA for playing a pivotal role in safeguarding vulnerable households, especially during the Covid-19 crisis. “The legislation has been crucial in protecting millions of people from hunger,” she added. Sonia also noted that the NFSA laid the foundation for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). Hammering her point home, she said, “Under the NFSA, 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population are entitled to receive subsidised food grains.” For the first time in independent India’s history the de, cennial census has been delayed by more than four years. Originally scheduled for 2021, there is still no clarity on when it will be conducted. At present, the government provides 5 kg of free food grains per person each month under the NFSA. LAWSUIT After Delhi defeat, BJP likely to opt Kejriwal turns to for woman or SC Punjab AAP unit face as CM choice Payload: 7.4 tonnes of weapons Max operating altitude: 54,100 ft Max speed: Mach 1.8 Combat range: 1,864 miles er for the Aero India 2025. Questions over LCA’s safety and delays shifted to whether it was safe for two chiefs of respective armed forces to fly on Tejas together, with no other pilot. But they did, just the two old buddies on a 45-minute joyride. It so emerged that during the sortie, there was much leg-pulling and light-hearted banter between the two senior-most officers. Recollecting the interaction “It is imperative that the government prioritises completion of the census as soon as possible and ensures that all deserving individuals receive the benefits under the NFSA. Food security is not a privilege. It is a fundamental right,” Sonia said MEET TODAY SU-57 FIGHTER JET B O S K Y K H A N N A @ Bengaluru FOOD SECURITY IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT been the air chief, not me,” he joked, adding: “It was a wonderful experience. He put a lot of trust in me,” Singh said. That ‘trust’ although placed in the Air Chief, has also translated in it being reposed in the LCA Tejas after the sortie. In fact, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Sunday said so — during the presser following the curtainraiser by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh — that it was a moment of confidence-building and trust in the LCA. The Air Chief took off in the LCA again on Monday , the inaugural of Aero India 2025, but this time, without his buddy P5 . H A R P R E E T B A J W A & A N U P V E R M A @ C’garh/New Delhi R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi AMID intense speculation about a potential split in the Punjab AAP following the party’s humiliating defeat in the polls, Arvind Kejriwal has called a meeting with Bhagwant Mann ministers and MLAs in Delhi on Tuesday . With the Punjab Congress claiming that at least 30 AAP members are in touch with them and the BJP alleging that Kejriwal is making moves to replace Mann and is also attempting to enter Rajya Sabha from Punjab, the AAP sought to clarify that the meeting is a strategic session to discuss the party strategy . Adding fuel to the fire, are rumours that one of the seven MPs from Punjab might resign to allow Kejriwal to move to the Upper House. The Punjab MLAs were instructed to cancel all their engagements on Tuesday and attend the meeting at the After losing poll, Kapurthala House, the official residence of Punjab CM Arvind Kejriwal has during his Delhi visits. called a meeting of Punjab MLAs in Mann, who had been campDelhi. Reports say ing in Delhi for the past three he is trying to days, arrived in Chandigarh remove Bhagwant on Sunday afternoon. The Mann Ji from the CM state cabinet meeting sched- post by labeling him as incompetent uled for Monday was postponed to February 13. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, The agenda of the meeting Rajouri Garden BJP MLA is not known, but in all likelihood, Kejriwal will give the MLAs a “pep talk”, asking them to reconnect with the “aam aadmi”. The Delhi meeting is also significant amid reports of some Punjab MLAs being dissatisfied with the leadership and may consider switching sides. There are speculations that Kejriwal may consider a more direct role in Punjab. With Ludhiana (West) Assembly seat being vacant, sources said Kejriwal may contest from there and become a part of the Punjab government. The BJP has intensified its attack on AAP in Punjab, with a leader claiming that the “countdown for Mann’s government has began”. BJP MLA from Rajouri Garden Manjinder Singh Sirsa echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that Kejriwal might sideline Mann. “After losing the election, Kejriwal has called a meeting of Punjab MLAs in Delhi. Reports suggest that he is trying to remove Mann Ji from the CM post by labeling him as incompetent,” he said. FOLLOWING the people’s mandate that returned the BJP to power in Delhi after 27 long years, overshadowing the AAP, attention has now shifted to the crucial decision of selecting the next chief minister. The party is attempting to balance various factors, such as gender and caste, which are significant in politics. Speculation about a woman or a Scheduled Caste (SC) candidate being the choice of BJP central leadership is particularly interesting as it would align with broader political strategies in terms of representation and outreach. Rekha Gupta, with her background in student politics and neutrality in the party, seems to be a stronger contender. Her Vaishya community background and experience as DU Students Union president could give her an edge, especially if BJP is considerGoing with a ing a woman for the role. woman candidate But, the mention of SC will be strategic candidates like Raj Kumar move in line with Chauhan brings another anthe PM’s womangle to the equation, as BJP led development may opt for someone from mantra, which that community to appeal to could appeal to a broader section of electorgender-focused voter demographics ate. The possibility of appointing a Deputy CM also A senior BJP adds a key twist, as it would functionary allow BJP to balance both caste and community representation within the government. Currently, the BJP has now four women MLAs among 48 elected candidates. The Delhi BJP is reportedly gearing up for an important meeting to discuss the potential CM face. The decision will likely revolve around three possible options. The first is to select the CM face from Jat community This will touch a . significant demographic in Delhi and its neighbouring states like Haryana and Punjab, potentially increasing voter base appeal. The second option is to pick up the face from SC as it is likely cater to voters from Bihar, besides aligning with broader political messaging in light of the upcoming elections in that state. And the third option is a woman candidate. “This would be strategic move in line with the PM’s “woman-led development” narrative, which could appeal to broader gender-focused voter demographics. P3 Hectic parleys in Manipur as BJP scouts for Biren successor; tight security in Imphal P R A S A N TA M A Z U M D A R @ Guwahati HAMAS DECLARES DELAY IN HOSTAGE RELEASE A Hamas spokesman on Monday accused Israel of violating the ceasefire pact and said next Saturday’s hostage release would be delayed till further notice | P9 A day after Biren Singh resigned as Manipur Chief Minister, BJP’s Northeast incharge Sambit Patra on Monday held a series of closeddoor meetings in Imphal an effort to identify a successor. Patra met Speaker T Satyabrata Singh, ministers Y Khemchand, Basantakumar Singh, BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh, MLAs of the Naga People’s Front, the state’s security advisor Kuldiep Singh, and Hill Areas Committee Chair man Dingan- glung Gangmei. When reports last came in, he was meeting BJP legislators individually . Sources said the party is looking for a leader with acceptance among both the Meitei and tribal communities as the the next chief minister. The names of Satyabrata Singh, Khemchand, Basantakumar, Konthoujam Govindas, and Radheshyam are being discussed in the state’s political circles as potential candidates. Security was heightened in the Imphal Valley as the situation remained volatile following Singh’s resignation. State Congress chief Keisham Meghachandra Singh stated that the Congress would oppose any attempts to impose President’s Rule or suspend the state assembly . State BJP president A Sharda Devi dismissed reports of discord among the BJP legislators, categorically stating that Singh resigned with the future of Manipur and the interests of its people in mind. HOLY DIP President Droupadi Murmu prays after taking a holy dip at the Sangam during Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on Monday | PTI | P8