Good morning, Let’s start today’s edition with an ode to Hardik Pandya’s audacity. On Sunday, as the Bangladeshi pacer Taskin Ahmed ran in, and bowled a short delivery, Pandya ramped him over the wicketkeeper’s head for a boundary. The highlight of the shot was NOT the way it was executed–most ramp shots have a bit of cheekiness about them–but the sheer nonchalance that followed caught everyone’s eye, even evoking comparisons with the great Sir Vivian Richards. Right after Pandya felt the ball to bat, and it flew to the boundary behind the keeper, he didn’t look behind and just kept chewing gum. Ahmed stood there bemused, in awe of what he’d seen, with a wry smile as he walked back to the mark. At the risk of exaggeration, it was probably one of the best no-look shots ever played. On that note, here’s today’s edition: 🚨Big Story After Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu came to power on an 'India Out' election plank in November 2023, Monday marked a shift in the strained ties between India and Maldives. A turnaround: Muizzu met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, where both agreed to transform their bilateral relationship to a “Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership”. Deepening ties: The meet culminated in the signing of five pacts, namely, the currency swap agreement, training of judicial officers, prevention of corruption, law enforcement training, sports and youth affairs. Both sides also agreed to launch negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement. Helping hand: To combat ongoing financial challenges faced by the Maldives, India offered INR 30 billion and USD 400 million as part of a bilateral currency swap agreement. From 'India Out' to 'Welcome India': Sharing the dais with Modi, Muizzi made an open exhortation to Indian tourists to visit his country. This assumes special significance amid India's decline in tourist arrivals over the last year, impacting the island nation’s earnings. Both leaders also shared a vision document for the two nations going forward, the key takeaways from which can be read here. 📰 Decision 2024 All eyes on Haryana, J&K: With the counting of votes for Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir Assemblies underway, the stage is set to see if Congress can pull off an upset in both these polls. All eyes will be on the grand old party’s fight with the BJP, as it aims to stop the saffron camp’s winning streak in Haryana and looks to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir. We’re following all the live action on indianexpress.com, don’t miss it! ⚡Only in Express Here’s an exclusive story of 34-year-old Ajay Grewal, a Head Constable with the Delhi Police and a UPSC aspirant, whose dreams motivated him to provide free coaching to government job aspirants belonging to poor families, on the terrace of his house in Bahadurgarh since 2016. 🏆Express Explained The Nobel Prize for Medicine this year was awarded to scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA. Why did they study microRNA? Why is gene regulation important? We explain. ⏳Express Opinion In our Opinion section today, C Raja Mohan emphasizes the need for India to stand by its Arab partners “squeezed” by the conflict between Iran and Israel. He writes: “Today, Iran and Israel attract significant and often passionate political support from India. Although they occupy much of India’s mind space, neither country matches the depth of India’s interests in the Arabian Peninsula.” Until next time, Ariba
