FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 BRIEFLY | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | New Delhi, 10 September New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday held a telephonic conversation with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani (photo), to discuss various aspects of bilateral relations and regional issues. He expressed deep concern over the recent attacks in Doha, condemning the violation of Qatar's sovereignty. PM strongly condemned the attacks in Doha, emphasizing India's solidarity with the people and the government of Qatar. | SILIGURI Confident that trade talks will unlock limitless potential: PM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE PM conveys to Qatar Amir India’s concern over Israeli attack: NEW DELHI T rade tensions between India and the US eased further on Wednesday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to US President Donald Trump's statement of "continuing negotiations" between the two countries to address the trade barriers, asserting that trade talks will help unlock the "limitless potential" of the partnership between the two nations. The Prime Minister's remarks come amid renewed diplomatic momentum aimed at overcoming the recent tensions over tariffs and energy policy. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi described India and the United States as “close friends and natural partners,” affirming that both sides were committed to concluding negotiations at the earliest. “I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership. Our teams are PM Narendra Modi, along with Union Ministers Jagat Prakash Nadda & Kiren Rijiju, arrives at the residence of Union Minister of Consumer Affairs Prahlad Joshi, in New Delhi on Tuesday. ANI working to conclude these discussions at the earliest,” Mr Modi said. “I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people.” US President Trump, earlier in the day posted on Truth Social that negotiations between the two countries are back on track. He expressed optimism that discussions would lead to a "successful conclusion for both of our great countries." “I am pleased to announce that India and the United States of America are continuing negotiations to address the trade barriers between our two nations,” Mr Trump wrote. “I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming weeks. I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our great countries.” The statements from both leaders follow Mr Trump’s recent softening of tone; just four days earlier, he described the US-India relationship as “special” and lauded PM Modi as a "great Prime Minister." Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Mr Trump added: “I will always be friends with Modi... India and the United States have a special relationship. There is nothing to worry about.” PM Modi warmly reciprocated, calling the India-US relationship a “very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.” The leaders' renewed engagement through social media reflected the effort to alleviate the tensions in bilateral relations following the US decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including an additional 25 per cent penalty targeting imports associated with Russian oil. Now, with high-level reassurances emerging from New Delhi and Washington, it appears that the leaders may arrive at reconciliation and strategic cooperation. The revived trade talks are being seen as an opportunity to reset ties and reinforce economic cooperation. | BHUBANESWAR | Thursday, 11 September 2025 Modi, Meloni agree on need for an early, peaceful resolution of conflict in Ukraine NIKHIL VYAS New Delhi, 10 September Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a telephonic conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during which both the leaders agreed on the need for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. PM Modi reiterated India’s full support for efforts in this direction. During the course of conversation, the Italian Prime Minister reiterated Italy’s strong support for the conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement at the earliest, and for the success of the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in 2026. The leaders also agreed on taking steps to promote connectivity under India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEEC) initiative. In a post on X after the telephonic conversation, Modi said,"Hadanexcellentconversation with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. We reaffirmed our joint commitment to deepen India-Italy Strategic Partnership, and shared interest in bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine. Thanked PM Meloni for Italy’s proactive support for concluding a mutually beneficial India-EU trade agreement and promoting connectivity through the IMEEEC initiative." According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), "Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, today." The leaders reviewed and positively assessed the developments in bilateral Strategic Partnership across sectors such as investment, defence, security, space, science and technology, education, people-to-people ties and counter-terrorism. "Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment towards further deepening of the Partnership, in line with the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29," the PMO said in a statement. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Earlier on September 6, PM Modi had a telephonic conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron during which the two leaders exchanged views on various global issues, including efforts to bring the conflict in Ukraine to an end. The two leaders reviewed and positively assessed the developments in bilateral cooperation across different sectors, including economic, defence, science, technology and space. They also reaffirmed their commitment towards further strengthening of the India-France Strategic Partnership, in line with the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, the Indo-Pacific Roadmap and the Defence Industrial Roadmap. Proud of India’s Constitution, Nepal political turmoil: After Oli’s exit, Gen Z says apex court, citing Nepal protesters hold meet to choose interim govt PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 10 September The Supreme Court on Wednesday, citing the developments in the Himalayan state of Nepal, asserted that it is proud of the Indian Constitution, as the Central government, while asserting that the governor has discretion in dealing with the Bills presented to him for assent, said that the position of British Crown and the President of India is not comparable as the former is hereditary and later elected. “We are proud of our Constitution. See what is happening in our neighbouring states… Nepal we saw,” said Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, heading a five-judge Bench hearing the Presidential Reference on whether the court could mandate a timeframe for constitutional functionaries to decide on Bills presented for assent. Justice Vikram Nath, sitting with Chief Justice Gavai along with Justice Surya Kant, Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha, and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar, interjected: “Yes, Bangladesh also.” In the course of the hearing on Wednesday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, in his rejoinder submissions, described as an “aberration” the conduct of governors in some Opposition-ruled states who had withheld assent to Bills for long durations. “Inaction in one or two States cannot lead to the conclusion of felt necessity, and the remedy is not to amend the Constitution by a judgment,” he argued. He maintained that the governor’s role is part of a “collaborative exercise” in democracy. “If the Governor has no powers or discretion, then where comes the collaborative exercise? We may have Governors who had not acted as expected. But we have a strong democracy. There are political dialogues and political solutions. Not everything comes to this Court,” Mehta said. BIBHU LUITEL Kathmandu, 10 September The Nepal Army on Wednesday assumed control of the streets after two days of mayhem, urging the protesters to engage in dialogue and at the same time warning them of strict action if the violence continued. The country remained on edge with a nationwide curfew in force. Jailbreak attempts were made in several districts, and weapons were looted as the Army was deployed to restore order. Five people were killed in the Banke Juvenile Reform Home during an attempted prison break amid protests. This takes the death toll to 27. But the figure is not final in the absence of an official update. According to earlier reports, prisoners at Kapilvastu Prison escaped after damaging the facility. They set the nearby court building on fire. Inmates at Dillibazar Prison set it afire, and preparations are being made to transfer them. Several robbery suspects were arrested, with NPR 3.3 million seized from Kathmandu's Bauddha. Except for the Baitadi District India, European Union strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 10 September India and the European Union have reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross border terrorism. India and the European Union, which held their 15th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism (CT) on Tuesday in Brussels, agreed that terrorism is a global phenomenon and needs concerted action in a sustained and comprehensive manner. The dialogue was co-chaired by Maciej Stadejek, Director for Security and Defence Policy in the European External Action Service, and K.D. Dewal, Joint Secretary (Counter-terrorism) in the Ministry of External Affairs of India. The dialogue facilitated a comprehensive exchange on domestic, regional, and global threat assessments. The participants emphasized that instability and conflicts in various regions of the world act as catalysts for terrorism and violent extremism. "Both sides condemned the heinous terrorist attack on 22 April 2025 in Pahalgam and EU reiterated its condolences to India for the killing of innocent civilians," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Wednesday. "The two sides reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross border terrorism. They agreed that terrorism is a global phenomenon and needs concerted action in a sustained and comprehensive manner. Against this backdrop, the EU and India stressed the importance of cooperation in multilateral fora, such as the United Nations, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and the FATF," it said. The EU and India also shared updates on the key developments of their respective counter-terrorism policies and discussed important topics in the fight against terrorism. These include measures to counter the financing of terrorism, prevent online radicalization, continued exchange on designation of terrorists and terrorist entities and address the implications of emerging technologies. "The two sides also explored ways to strengthen their CT cooperation and identified areas of future collaboration," the MEA said. The next meeting of the Joint Working Group would take place in New Delhi on a mutually convenient date. Earlier on September 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reaffirming the shared commitment for an early conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and implementation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic (IMEEC) Corridor. Jail in the far west, inmates have escaped from all other district jails. Further, the army recovered looted weapons from Kathmandu and Pokhara. Two police personnel from Maharajganj Circle have died. A woman’s body was found in a house set on fire by protesters in Pokhara. Juvenile offenders escaped from Biratnagar Juvenile Reform Home. Meanwhile, with Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli having resigned following anti-corruption 'Gen Z' protests across the Himalayan nation. attention has now shifted to who will lead the interim government. On Wednesday, a meeting of Gen Z protesters and their allies was held at Jangi Adda, the Army Headquarters in Bhadrakali, Kathmandu, to discuss the likely contenders to lead the interim government. The violent Gen Z protests over the alleged rampant corruption and nepotism of the government elite have thrown the landlocked South Asian country into chaos. Rampaging protesters set fire to the Parliament building and the residences of the president, the prime minister, and several ministers. The so-called Gen Z protests, which began over alleged rampant corruption and coincided with a rather heavy-handed and authoritarian social media ban, took a violent turn on Monday after police, outnumbered by protesters, opened fire. The death of 19 protesters in police fire made the situation so much worse that come Tuesday, the entire country was thrown under chaos as protesters rampaged through the streets of the capital, Kathmandu, and several other cities, setting on fire the Parliament building and the residences of political elites, including the president, the prime minister, and ministers, as well as some private properties. ECI holds third conference of Chief Electoral Officers STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 10 September The Election Commission of India Wednesday organised the third Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) at the India International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi, the poll panel said in a release. The conference was inaugurated by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, in the presence of Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. The conference focused on several key aspects of electoral management, including the preparedness of CEOs' offices across all states and union territories for the nationwide Special Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) exercise. The CEOs presented the status of digitisation and uploading of electoral rolls on their respective websites, as well as the mapping of current electors with those from the last SIR. The Commission also reviewed the status of rationalisation of polling stations to ensure that no polling station has more than 1,200 electors. The status of appointment and training of District Election Officers (DEOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), Booth Level Officers (BLOs), and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) was also reviewed. While the conference aimed to ensure that all eligible citizens are included in the electoral roll, while preventing ineligible persons from being included, the Commission emphasised the importance of promoting ease of submission of documents for eligible citizens. The conference is part of the Election Commission's efforts to strengthen electoral processes and ensure free and fair elections in India.