THIRUVANANTHAPURAM l sunday l february 22, 2026 l `12.00 l PAGES 24 l late city EDITION canada seeks to withhold key information in nijjar trial Canada is seeking to withhold sensitive evidence in the murder trial of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, citing international security trial not expected before august 2026 rebuilding india-canada relations The killing occurred on June 18, 2023, when Nijjar was shot outside a Gurdwara in British Columbia. Trial is not expected before Aug 2026. The case strained India-Canada relations briefly when PM Trudeau alleged India’s involvement. India denied the claims as “motivated”. PM Mark Carney is now seeking to expand bilateral trade relations with India ■ ■ Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta Trade talks, paused since 2023, were revived. Leaders agreed to launch negotiations during a November 2025 G20 sidelines meeting in Johannesburg, aiming to double bilateral trade to $50 bn by 2030 Section 38 of canada evidence act protects sharing of sensitive info 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 Day after, Trump jacks up global tariff to 15 pc Indian exporters uncertain about the actual quantum of levy; Union govt says it’s studying the situation istry of Commerce said. Meanwhile, sections of the US media Uncertainty prevails over the ac- reported that all tariffs imposed by the tual tariff Indian goods would attract Trump administration on trading partafter the US Supreme Court struck ners have been suspended and that the down the reciprocal levy imposed by new 15% tariff is now applicable. Howthe Trump administration on Friday. ever, a fact sheet issued by the White Shortly after the verdict, House said Executive Order Trump announced a uniform 14257 of April 2, 2025 — which 10% global tariff on all nations. regulates imports through reOn Saturday he scaled up that , ciprocal tariffs to address large figure to 15%, which is 3% and persistent US goods trade short of the 18% levy he had deficits — has been amended announced for India early this (not suspended or withdrawn). month. Indian exporters are awaiting During the next few months, clarity on whether 15% or 18% “the Trump administration would apply For now, they are . Effective will determine and issue new in a wait-and-watch mode. immediately, and legally permissible tar- (I am) raising the Ashwin Chandran, Chair10% Worldwide iffs”, he said on social media. man of the Confederation of With Trump claiming on Fri- Tariff on Countries Indian Textile Industry, said: ... to the fully day that “nothing has changed” “Greater clarity from authoriallowed, and for India, confusion persisted ties, including on what haplegally tested, on the actual quantum of levy . pens to the interim India–US 15% level The judgment came at a time trade deal, would be most helpDonald J Trump when India is on the verge of ful.” The Trump administrasigning of a Bilateral Trade tion has also indicated it may Agreement with the US. The Modi rely on Section 301 or Section 232 provigovernment has not yet clarified the sions to impose higher tariffs. status of the interim negotiations. Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 On Saturday it said it is analysing the empowers the US Trade Representative , developments before taking a final to investigate and respond to unjustifiview. “We are studying all develop- able, unreasonable or discriminatory ments for their implications,” the Min- trade practices. P u s h p i ta D e y @ New Delhi Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi with (front row, from left) Kiran Prakash (Resident Editor-Kerala, TNIE ), Lakshmi Menon (CEO, TNIE ), Sosamma Iype, Radhamani Amma, Nalini Chandran, Prabhu Chawla (Editorial Director, TNIE ), Paris Laxmi, (second row, from left) P S Jalaja, A Seema, Abhaya Hiranmayi, Reshma Suresh, P Bhanumathi, Kapila Venu and Litty Chacko, during the Devi Awards presentation ceremony in Kochi on Saturday | T P Sooraj ‘Shakti’ shines bright as devis take centre stage Express News Service invoking Malayalam poet Balamani Amma’s timeless line, “Even in silence, she writes history Un,” ion Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Tourism Suresh Gopi honoured 11 exceptional women from Kerala at the 38th edition of the Devi Awards in Kochi on Saturday . Hosted by The New Indian Express Group, the evening was a salute to women whose journeys, often shaped by quiet determination, have created lasting impact across fields and communities. Presenting the awards, Suresh described women as embodiments of “Shakti” — the force of creation, protection and transformation. “As we gather here today, we are not merely acknowledging achievements, we are saluting living embodiments of that Shakti — women whose determination and courage have created meaningful impact in society the minister said. ,” At Taj Vivanta overlooking the backwaters, stories of grit filled the venue. Among those honoured were animal conservationist Sosamma Iype, whose life’s work has been devoted to protecting voiceless beings, and scientist A Seema, whose research has expanded scientific understanding. Scholar Litty Chacko and educator Nalini Chandran Wish to serve Guruvayurappan till I die, says Suresh Gopi Kochi: Union Minister Suresh Gopi said his greatest wish was to serve as chairman of the Guruvayur Devaswom Board. “I want to serve Guruvayurappan as the chairman of the board and die while serving him. That’s my greatest and only wish,” he said. He was responding to a question by TNIE Editorial Director Prabhu Chawla on whether he would be the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate if the party comes to power in Kerala. India-Brazil pact to deepen coop on critical minerals j aya n t h j a c o b @ New Delhi INDIA and Brazil on Saturday agreed to deepen cooperation in critical minerals and rare earths while setting an ambitious bilateral trade target of over $20 billion annually within the next five years, following wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Lula is in India on a five-day visit, during which he is also attending the India AI Impact Summit. Addressing the media after delegation-level discussions, Modi described Brazil as India’s largest trading partner in Latin America and said the two were committed to expanding economic engagement. “We are committed to taking bilateral trade beyond $20 billion in the next five years. Our trade is not just a figure, it is a reflection of trust,” he said. Bilateral trade stood President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi greet Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as he arrives in New Delhi | Shekhar Yadav at $12 billion in 2024–25, with Indian exports at $6.77 billion and imports from Brazil at $5.43 billion. A key outcome of the talks was an agreement on cooperation in critical minerals and rare earths. The two countries also signed a joint declaration on digital partnership and MoUs covering mining, MSMEs, healthcare and traditional knowledge systems. were recognised for shaping minds and nurturing futures, while visual artist P S Jalaja’s work reflected creative endurance. The evening also celebrated Kapila Venu, whose mastery of Koodiyattam sustains an ancient cultural legacy, and Dr P Bhanumathi, whose social service has lifted countless lives. Entrepreneur Reshma Suresh’s enterprise, Radhamani Amma’s inspiring journey as a heavy vehicle driver, and Paris Laxmi’s artistic presence across dance and cinema embodied courage in unconventional spaces. Completing the constellation was singer Abhaya Hiranmayi, whose voice carries emotion across generations. Reflecting on Kerala’s legacy the , minister said its women continue to lead — in education, healthcare, science, entrepreneurship and arts — turning barriers into breakthroughs, resilience into quiet revoP2 lution. EXPRESS READ After uncertainty, Kerala Blasters game to go ahead Kochi: On a day of dramatic turn of events, a last-minute deal has ensured that Kerala Blasters will host their first Indian Super League (ISL) home match of the season in Kochi on Sunday, as scheduled earlier. The commotion over pending agreement between the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and Kerala Blasters on renting the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for ISL matches had put a cloud of uncertainty over the match. P11 Today’s Matches 3pm: England vs Sri Lanka (Pallekele); 7pm: India vs South Africa (Ahmedabad) 88 nations adopt declaration on equitable AI Voluntary initiatives The summit also launched several voluntary and nonbinding global initiatives. They include a charter for democratic diffusion of AI, a Global AI Impact Commons to share successful use cases, a Trusted AI Commons with tools and best practices, and a global AI-for-science network R a k e s h K u m a r @ New Delhi As many as 88 countries, including the US, UK, China and the EU, along with several international organisations, endorsed the New Delhi Declaration at the end of the India AI Impact Summit, which committed itself to ensuring an equitable AI. The declaration set out a shared approach to AI governance and development. “The advent of AI marks an inflection point in the trajectory of technological evolution. The choices that we make today will shape the AIenabled world that future generations will inherit,” the declaration said. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said the declaration is built around seven key pillars — democratising AI resources, promoting economic growth and social good, building secure and trusted AI, expanding access for social empowerment, advancing AI for science, developing human capital, and creating resilient and efficient AI systems. The document calls for affordable access to foundational AI resources and support for local innovation ecosystems. It also proposes platforms to scale successful AI use cases globally . WITH THIS ISSUE The Many Lives of LOVE Then and Now PLUS 12 P AGES