BHUBANESWAR l Thursday l may 14, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 l late CITY EDITION Trump begins closely-watched three-day state visit to China US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are expected to discuss US-China trade tensions and the war with Iran Will hold talks with xi jinping today Musk, Cook among U.S. CEOs on the trip The trade war between the two countries will be on top of the agenda. Trump will have a bilateral meeting with Xi on Thursday. The two will meet again on Friday for a bilateral tea and working lunch. They are set to discuss extending the one-year tariff truce that they agreed in October. China’s controls on rare earth exports are also likely to be on the menu ■ ■ Trump is accompanied by several top US CEOs including Tesla chief Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Nvidia boss Jensen Huang Chinese Vice President Han Zheng welcomed Trump at the airport. The road from the airport was decorated with US and Chinese flags and Beijing skyscrapers lit up with messages welcoming Trump 2017 was when President trump last visited china 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 PM’s high-stakes stopover in Abu Dhabi for talks with UAE prez to focus on energy security UAE pacts on strategic oil reserve, LNG likely J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi Energy security will emerge as the centrepiece of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-stakes stopover in Abu Dhabi on May 15 for talks with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, amid escalating tensions in West Asia and shifting global oil equations. During the three-hour visit to the UAE, en route to his fournation Europe tour covering the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, India and the UAE are expected to sign two key memoranda of understanding on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supplies and strategic petroleum reserves, further deepening a partnership critical to India’s energy needs, sources familiar with the development said. The visit comes at a time of heightened volatility in global energy markets and renewed focus on supply diversification. Sources said the proposed agreements are aimed at strengthening long-term energy stability for India while expanding the UAE’s role as one of New Delhi’s most trusted energy partners. The UAE currently meets nearly 40% of India’s LPG requirements, making it the country’s largest supplier. It was also India’s fourth-largest source of crude oil last year, accounting for nearly 11% of total imports, while ranking as the third-largest supplier of LNG. Indian companies and ADNOC Gas have signed longterm agreements for cumulative LNG supplies of 4.5 MMTPA, making India the largest buyer of UAE-origin LNG. The two sides are also expected to review cooperation on India’s strategic petroleum reserves. In 2018, the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed an agreement allowing the UAE to store more than five million barrels of crude oil at the Mangaluru reserve facility , the first such arrangement with any country . Energy ties have evolved into a broader strategic partnership involving upstream investments and clean energy collaboration. In 2018, a consortium of Indian firms, OVL, BPRL and IOCL acquired 10% stake in Abu Dhabi’s Lower Zakum offshore block. A year later, Urja Bharat Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between BPRL and IOCL, secured a stake in Abu Dhabi Onshore Block-1. In January this year, BPRL confirmed an oil discovery in the block, marking one of India’s first successful upstream investments in the West Asia region. Both sides are also enhancing renewable energy ties. UAE’s Masdar signed an agreement with the Rajasthan government in 2024 to develop 60 GW of renewable energy capacity . Spend wisely, Modi urges colleagues Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged his Cabinet colleagues to consciously cut down unnecessary expenditure, including on petrol, in the wake of the West Asia crisis. He also urged them to cut their convoy size and foreign visits. Sources said the PM’s appeal was not about spending less but spending more wisely Nod to `38K cr scheme on coal gasification To enhance energy security and reduce dependence on imports, the Union Cabinet approved a `37,500-crore incentive scheme to promote new surface coal/lignite gasification projects. The target is gasification of 75 million tonnes of coal/lignite. The incentive would be disbursed in four equal instalments, linked to project milestones 12.88% 15% 15% 10% 10.75% 8% 6% 4% 2% Gold import duty over the years Russian tanker carrying crude oil for IOCL seized A m a r n at h Pa r i d a @ Paradip 6% JAN MAR JAN JUNE AUG JULY FEB JULY JULY MAY 2012 2012 2013 2013 2013 2019 2021 2022 2024 2026 Gold, silver import duty hiked to 15% P u s h p i ta De y @ New Delhi Two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to reduce the purchase of gold, the government on Wednesday increased the import duty on gold and silver from 6% to 15% to curb demand and ease foreign exchange pressures. Likewise, the import duty on platinum has been increased from 6.4% to 15.4%. This newspaper had previously reported that the government was considering various measures, including import restrictions on precious metals. As a large importer of crude oil, India remains vulnerable to elevated energy prices and supply-side disruptions. This could increase the import bill and exert pressure on inflation and the current account deficit. According to officials, the government aims to prioritise essential imports such as crude oil, fertilisers, industrial raw materials, defence requirements, critical technologies and capital goods. “The increase in customs duty on precious metals is intended to moderate avoidable import demand and ease pressure on the external account. The measure is neither prohibitory nor anti-consumer in nature,” said a source in the ministry of finance. Following the hike in levy, gold prices surged by `8,550 to slightly over `1.65 lakh per 10 grams in the local market. Acting on the direction of the Orissa High Court, Paradip police has seized a Russian crude oil tanker berthed at Paradip Port over alleged nonpayment of pending dues. The vessel had berthed at the port to unload crude oil for Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL). The Russian-flagged vessel MT Unity was ‘arrested’ by police in presence of judicial magistrate first class of Kujang. Sources said that the vessel, owned by FMTC Ship Charter LLC, had received a supply of bunker oil from Tresta International FZE on credit terms of up to 30 days, as agreed under a personal guarantee letter issued towards such supply . According to the complaint filed by Tresta International FZE, the vessel received very low sulphur fuel Oil (VLSFO) on January 20 and an invoice was issued on January 21 with payment to be made by February 20. Although part payments were reportedly made, Police seized the vessel at the Single Point Mooring in Paradip Port on Tuesday in the presence of the JMFC, Kujang, following the direction of the High Court Babita Dehury, IIC of Paradip Model PS an outstanding amount of around `4 crore remains unpaid against the principle claim of US$ 369,750. Including interest and other costs, the total claim has jumped to US$ 423,832. The plaintiff had sought an ex parte ad interim order for the arrest of the vessel, MT PM Modi’s appeal: CM Majhi halves his convoy size E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Bhubaneswar Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday announced he has reduced the size of his official convoy by nearly half following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for energy conservation amid growing concerns over global fuel supply disruptions linked to the West Asia crisis. The chief minister also appealed to the people to minimise the use of private vehicles and increasingly rely on public transport wherever possible. Stressing the need for responsible fuel consumption, Majhi urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and use vehicles only when essential. He urged people to refrain from unnecessary foreign travel and avoid excessive spending on gold purchases. Chief ministers of almost all BJP-ruled states have announced similar austerity measures regarding use of official vehicles. Earlier in the day Commerce and Trans, port minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena announced a series of per- sonal austerity measures to support the state government’s energy-saving initiative. Jena said he would reduce the number of government vehicles used for of ficial duties from three to a single car. He also stated that he would increasingly use public transport, including buses, whenever feasible in order to set an example for the public. Stressing the importance of reducing dependence on conventional fuel, the minister advocated the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as a sustainable alternative. “Electric vehicles are the need of the hour,” Jena said, adding that wider EV adoption would help cut emission, conserve foreign exchange and reduce India’s reliance on imported crude oil. The government has extended subsidies for EV purchases until 2028 to make cleaner mobility more affordable and accessible. The policy he said, is , aimed at accelerating the transition towards sustainable transportation while supporting India’s broader climate and energy security goals. 3 Kuki church leaders killed in suspected militant attack Railways nod to Puri-Koraput direct Express train ahead of Rath Yatra P r a s a n ta M a z u m d a r @ Guwahati The Ministry of Railways on Wednesday approved a direct express train connecting Puri and Koraput, linking 10 coastal, central, western and southern districts of the state. The announcement of the train ahead of the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath has brought huge cheer, as it will be the first direct train connecting Puri and Koraput, fulfilling a long-pending demand of people from southern Odisha. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving the new train, which, he said, will enable more pilgrims from the Koraput and Sambalpur regions to travel comfortably to Puri. The new train, Puri-Koraput-Puri Express (18407/18408), will connect coastal, western and southern Odisha with improved passen- Three Kuki Baptist church leaders were killed and four others injured in an ambush by suspected militants in Manipur’s Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district on Wednesday . Members of the Thadou Baptist Association India (TBAI) and the United Baptist Council were travelling from Churachandpur to Kangpokpi for an inter-association ecclesiastical meeting when they came under attack. TBAI president Rev Dr Vumthang Sitlhou, finance secretary Rev Kaigoulun Lhouvum, and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou were shot dead. Rev Sitlhou was leading the team. Thadou organisations announced a “total shutdown” of Sadar Hills in the district in response to the attack. Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the “dastardly terContinued on P5 ror act”. E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Bhubaneswar ger convenience and regional accessibility. The train is expected to reduce travel time. Between Puri and Koraput, the train will take an estimated 16 hours and 30 minutes to cover 835.38 km. On the return journey, it will take 17 hours and 20 minutes. So far, the date of commencement of the train has not been announced. The train will depart from Puri at 7 am on Monday, Thursday and Saturday and reach Koraput at around 1.30 pm the next day. On the return route, it will depart from Koraput at 5 am on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday and arrive in Puri at 10.20 pm. The train will have 19 stoppages at Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Naraj Marthapur, Dhenkanal, Talcher Road, Angul, Boinda, Rairakhol, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titila g arh, Kesing a, Muniguda, Rayagada, Tikiri, Laxmipur Road, Kakiriguma and Damanjodi. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said the new train is expected to boost tourism, particularly religious tourism, and enhance economic and social connectivity between key regions of the state. The Railway Ministry said the introduction of the train fulfils a long-standing aspiration of people from several underserved regions of Odisha for a direct rail link between Puri, Bhubaneswar and the tribal-dominated districts of southern Odisha. The new train is also expected to significantly enhance regional integration and socioeconomic development by improving mobility between coastal Odisha and the interior districts of western and southern Odisha. Congress MP from Koraput, Saptagiri Ulaka, who had demanded direct connectivity wel, comed the announcement. “Done. New daytime train from Koraput to Bhubaneswar via Rayagada announced,” he posted on micro-blogging platform X. Time to celebrate Students celebrate at St Thomas’ Girls Senior Secondary School, New Delhi after the CBSE Class 12 results were declared on Wednesday | Parveen Negi BJP leader among five arrested in NEET paper leak rajesh asnani & sudhir s u r ya w a n s h i @ Jaipur/Mumbai THE CBI on Wednesday arrested five persons and conducted searches at multiple locations across the country in the NEET UG paper leak case as protests over the cancellation of the examination intensified amid demands for Union education minister D h a r m e n d r a P r a d h a n’s resignation. An active BJP leader in Rajasthan was arrested in connection with the NEET paper leak. Investigators said BJP leader Dinesh Binwal and his brother Mangilal, residents of Jamwa Ramgarh in Jaipur, purchased the paper between April 26 and 27 for nearly `30 lakh. Investigators claimed that Dinesh provided the paper to his son, who was preparing for NEET in Sikar, before distributing it to several candidates on April 29. Both Binwal and his brother had travelled to Sikar for the operation, police believe. Dinesh allegedly sold the leaked paper to several individuals in Sikar, including hostel operators and consul- Vested interests must be reined in: NTA The Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA) Abhishek Singh, said there are vested interests who are trying to sabotage the system in place for the NEET-Under Graduate examinations and they must be thwarted. tancy firms. Police also arrested one Rakesh Mandavriya, who ran a consultancy office opposite a coaching centre in Sikar. He had received the guess paper several days before the examination through Dinesh Binwal, and had circulated it. The CBI arrested Dinesh Binwal, Mangilal Binwal and Vikas Binwal from Jaipur, Yash Yadav from Gurugram and Shubham Khairnar from Nashik on Wednesday. In Pune, police arrested a beauty parlour owner, Manish Waghmare, who is alleged to have helped students get the NEET-UGC exam papers ahead of the final exam. This is the second arrest in Maharashtra after the first P8 arrest in Nashik.  Unity, along with its appurtenances, plant and machinery lying at Paradip Port during the pendency of the suit. It also sought time to deposit the deficit court fee amounting to `11,11,935. After considering the submissions and documents placed on record, Justice RK Pattanaik of the Orissa HC directed the arrest of the vessel as an interim measure, observing that failure to do so could frustrate the very purpose of the suit filed by the plaintiff. The HC issued notice to the defendant through email and courier and granted liberty to the plaintiff to serve a copy of the order along with a letter of the Marshal of the Court as defined under Rule 2 of the Admiralty Rules of the Odisha High Court, 1981. IIC of Paradip Model police station Babita Dehury said that police seized the vessel at the Single Point Mooring in Paradip Port on Tuesday in the presence of the JMFC, Kujang, following the direction of the High Court. Kerala CM call at meeting of legislature party today P r ee t h a n a i r @ New Delhi ENDING days of suspense and an intense internal power struggle, the Congress is set to announce its Kerala Chief Ministerial pick on Thursday at a legislature party meeting at the KPCC headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. The meeting, scheduled at 1 pm, will be attended by AICC state in-charge Deepa Das Munshi, along with observers Ajay Maken, Mukul Wasnik and others. The day witnessed dramatic twists and turns as the announcement of the CM candidate was widely anticipated following a crucial meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge at the latter’s residence. However, after the meeting, which lasted over 40 minutes, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh told the media that the decision will be announced on Thursday. “The high command of the Congress has completed all discussions, and the decision on who the next chief minister of Kerala will be will be announced tomorrow,” he said. The decision came after a nine-day deadlock involving a fierce three-way contest among senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala, V D Satheesan, and AICC General Secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal. Continued on P5