visakhapatnam l sunday l april 12, 2026 l `12.00 l PAGES 24 l late city EDITION India, US step up energy tie-up with focus on coal gasification Both sides agreed to expand collaboration in emerging areas of energy sector, including coal gasification and liquefied petroleum gas exports amid energy crisis, India’s strategic lever identifying new avenues remains key The focus emerged during talks between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Coal gasification is being positioned as a transformative pathway that converts coal into syngas, which can then be used to produce cleaner fuels, fertilizers, chemicals, and hydrogen. Officials see this as a strategic lever | P7 ■ ■ Misri’s discussion with Wright focused on advancing energy security, deepening bilateral energy trade, and identifying new avenues to strengthen the India-US Energy Partnership India currently imports 83 per cent of its crude, 50 per cent of its natural gas, and over 90 per cent of methanol and fertilizers `64K cr in investment has been earmarked for coal gasification by india CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI World waits and watches as direct US-Iran talks get underway in Pak Drafts exchanged at the delegate level; Iranian delegation to stay overnight at the meeting venue U.S. says 2 destroyers transited Hormuz, Iran denies claim a g e n c i e s @ Islamabad U-turn on same stipend for all med undergrads K a v i ta B a j e l i - D at t @ New Delhi The Centre appears to be backtracking on bringing pay parity for all undergraduate medical interns — in gover nment and private medical colleges. Earlier, the Union health ministry had twice written to the National Medical Commission (NMC) on “examining” the issue of pay parity . And NMC had accepted that there is no stipend parity . The next step was for the NMC to amend provision of the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021, which states that “all interns shall be paid stipend as fixed by the appropriate authority applicable to the institution/ University or State.” As for the Post-Graduate Medical Education (PGME) Regulation-2023, there is no distinction between interns working in government or private medical colleges. The Supreme Court had on October 28, 2025 slammed the NMC for “dragging its feet” on non-payment of stipend to interns. However, a recent RTI reply by the Medical Education Policy Section (MEP) under the health ministry said, “All matters relating to framing, amendment, and implementation of medical education regulations fall within the domain of NMC....Therefore, in view of the above, no further action is required to be taken by the MEP Section in the matter, as the subject falls within the domain of the National Medical Commission (NMC).” The MEP had on April 2 responded to a query on pay parity by RTI activist, Dr KV Babu. Speaking with this paper, Dr Babu said, “Though the government initially took a proactive decision to amend CRMI regulations in line with PGME regulations, the nominated, almost vacant, Undergraduate Medical Education Board is not inclined to amend the norms for stipend.” WITH THIS ISSUE Ballads and Bullets PLUS 12 P AGES AMERICAN and Iranian officials held first face-to-face talks in Pakistan on Saturday the most sig, nificant since the 1979 Islamic revolution as the foes try to end a war that plunged West Asia into violence and severely damaged the global economy . The trilateral direct negotiations took place with host Pakistan in capital Islamabad, a senior White House official said. The US delegation comprises Vice President J D Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, the official said, making it the highest level of American contact since the Islamic republic was established. The Iranian delegation, composed of more than 70 members, was being led by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, joined by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The talks went on late into the night, with the Iranian delegation deciding to stay overnight at the venue, Serana Hotel. Exchange of drafts at the delegate level indicated there was some progress on a basic framework, WASHINGTON: The US military said two destroyers transited the Irangripped Strait of Hormuz ahead of mine-clearing work, a first since the war began. Iran said it forced a US ship to turn around. “The claim by the CENTCOM commander regarding the approach and entry of American vessels into the Strait of Hormuz is strongly denied... The initiative for the movement of any vessel is in the hands of the Armed Forces of Iran,” said the spokesperson of the Iranian military’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters US Vice President JD Vance (C) arrives for a meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif prior to the US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad on Saturday | AFP but what those points of agreement were remained unclear, AlJazeera said. However, sources close to the Iranian delegation said the US demands on the Strait of Hormuz were “too ambitious”. Tehran wants control of the Strait of Hormuz and transit fees from vessels that use the waterway As for the US, it said it wants . free passage for global shipping through the strait. day 43 Iran’s 10-point proposal also called for a guaranteed end to the war. It included ending fighting against Iran’s “regional allies,” explicitly calling for a halt to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah apart from unfreezing of sanctioned Iranian assets. The US’ 15point proposal includes restricting Iran’s nuclear program. Iran doubled down on parts of its earlier proposal, telling Irani- an state television it had presented some ideas as “red lines” in meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. They included reparation for US-Israeli strikes and releasing Iran’s frozen assets. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Saturday began his official visit to the UAE, with a focus on the conflict. ”Started my visit to the UAE interacting with the members of the Indian Community. Spoke about GOI’s efforts,” he posted on X. AP/AFP express read Tomato prices slump, ryots reel under losses Tirupati: Tomato farmers in and around Madanapalle are facing severe distress as prices have sharply fallen over the past week due to excess supply and export disruptions. The situation has worsened to the extent that traders in Tirupati and Chittoor towns are selling tomatoes at throwaway prices, with some offering as much as 7 kg for just `100. In retail markets also prices have dropped drastically, making tomato one of cheapest vegetables currently available | P4 AP to implement PM-RAHAT scheme soon Vijayawada: Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav has said the injured in road accidents will get cashless medical treatment up to `1.5 lakh under the PM-RAHAT (Prime Minister - Road Accident Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment) scheme. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Health Minister said the Andhra Pradesh government is set to implement the Centre’s PM-RAHAT scheme. The scheme for road mishap victims will be implemented through the NTR Vaidya Seva Trust | P3 Amaravati will be an eye-opener to Jagan: Naidu in per capita income, with nearly 70% of the State’s Chief Minister N Chan- revenue generated from that drababu Naidu has asserted city alone. that the development of AmHighlighting Amaravati’s aravati will serve as a strong potential, Naidu said the rebuttal to former Chief capital region currently has Minister YS Jagan a land bank of apMohan Reddy’s critproximately 5,000 icism of the capital acres. project. “At the present During an informarket rate of `10 Development is a mal interaction crore per acre, the continuous and with mediapersons value of land is estinever-ending at the TDP headmated at `50,000 process. Our quarters in Mancrore. If the rate risgovernment is committed to galagiri on Satures to `20 crore in the transforming day, Naidu said, future, the total valAmaravati “Development is a ue of the land could into a major continuous and nevtouch `1 lakh crore,” economic hub er-ending process. he said. Our government is Naidu credited N Chandrababu committed to transHyderabad’s growth Naidu, CM forming Amaravati to key infrastrucinto an economic hub.” ture such as the Outer Ring Drawing comparisons Road, international airport, with Hyderabad and Ben- and expansion of IT. “The galuru, Naidu noted that development of Cyberabad both the cities have wit- continues to fuel Hyderanessed sustained growth bad’s economic growth,” he over the years, contribsaid. Exuding confiuting significantly to dence on Amaravati’s their respective State future, Naidu said, economies. “The capital city will He pointed out that be developed with Hyderabad plays a long-term planning, crucial role in laying emphasis on making Telaninfrastructure gana a leader growth.” S V i s w a n at h @ Vijayawada Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, J P Nadda and Speaker Om Birla in Delhi Saturday | PTI Rare bonhomie as PM Modi asks Rahul about his mother’s health rajesh kumar thakur @ New Delhi Political civility between netas of opposite camps in the Parliament complex isn’t as visible as it was in the past. But on Saturday on the sidelines of , a function at Prerna Sthal within the Parliament premises to mark Mahatma Jyotiba Phule’s 200th birth anniversary, there was a rare and interesting exchange. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had come to pay his respects at the event. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Minister J P Nadda, and several others were already present. So was Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. When the prime minister arrived and spotted Rahul in the gathering, he did not simply nod and move on. He walked over, greeted him, and asked about the health of his mother. “How is Sonia ji?” the prime minister was heard asking. Those standing nearby caught the exchange. Rahul apparently hadn’t expected the query There was a brief mo. ment of surprise. But he responded quickly apprising the , PM about his mother’s health, her recent hospitalisation in Delhi, and how she was subsequent convalescence. Sonia was recently admitted at a Delhi hospital and recently discharged. Even though Modi and Rahul spoke for a few minutes, the conversation was unhurried, the kind you might exchange with someone you have known for years under different circumstances. Ministers and officials, including Nadda and Birla, looked on with interest, and perhaps surprise, at such an unusual moment between the country’s two major leaders. For a brief while, they seemed removed from the sharp edges of political rivalry and one-upmanship, especially during poll time. LPG supply returns to normal in AP Y B r a h m a j i @ Vijayawada LPG supply has returned to normal across the State much to the relief of domestic and commercial consumers after a few weeks of disruption due to West Asia conflict. According to official data, 2,73,958 domestic cylinders and 8,656 non-domestic cylinders were delivered in the State on Saturday. Over the past three days, a total of 34,564 commercial cylinders have been supplied. Booking figures of gas agencies also reflect LPG supply stabilisation as 2,00,704 refills were booked on Saturday, 2,05,851 on Friday, 2,39,842 on Wednesday and 2,69,820 on Tuesday . With the efforts of Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar, the LPG supply chains have been streamlined and cooking gas availability has improved significantly across the State. Daily refill bookings are getting stabilised at 2 lakh, including 10,000 to 15,000 commercial cylinders. “LPG bookings have returned to normal across the State with no signs of panic booking,” said N Bhaskara Reddy State Level Coordinator , for Oil Industry in Andhra P4 Pradesh.  b a d m int o n a s i a c ’ s hi p s Parents don’t watch him live as Ayush creates history A n m o l G u r u n g @ Chennai As Ayush Shetty was making history in China on Saturday, his parents were staying away from live action. It was a conscious choice. Call it superstition or belief this ritual has become a norm for the family ever since he started playing international events. Instead, they were just doing their prayers and hoping for the best. His mother Shalmili has been part of every victory and loss during his early days. She has been his constant company while travelling across the Young Ayush Shetty with parents and sister Aadhya | special arrangement country trying to make a mark. Yet, after Ayush graduated to international arena, his parents are yet to watch him live. “We don’t watch his live matches. Whatever matches are on, we just pray to God and sit. We never watch live matches. We watch the highlights later. This mostly started after he started playing international matches. We didn’t watch his world junior win too, only highlights,” Shalmili told this daily . “The academy (Centre of Excellence, where Ayush trains) also always asks us ‘you want to watch, you want to travel with him’,” she said. Shalmili’s prayers were answered on Saturday Ayush dis. covered water in the desert at the ongoing Asia Championships in Ningbo. Most of his smashes were on points. By the time the semifinal contest reached the business end, the usually-assured World No 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn could be seen scrambling to stay alive. After a captivating 75-minute contest, Ayush won 10-21, 21-19, 21-17. He is now the first from the country to reach the final (men’s singles) since 1965.  She recalled all those days when she had to shift to Bengaluru and raise Ayush and sister alone. “We had to adjust and it was not easy she said.  P11 ,” Historic moment Artemis II astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch pose after splashdown and recovery operations in the Pacific Ocean after their moon orbit, the first by humans in more than 50 years, in San Diego, California, USA | NASA/PTI | P9