FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | Tuesday, 13 January 2026 SPORTS WORLD BUSINESS Indian banking system sees rapid expansion India closely watching developments in Iran, says MEA: New Delhi: As antigovernment protests in Iran intensified, the government on Monday said all Indian nationals in the Islamic nation are safe and advised them not to venture out in affected areas. At a media briefing in Gandhinagar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the government is closely watching the developments in Iran, including the protests on the streets. “We have a significant community of expatriate Indians and also students from India in Iran. Despite the restrictions in place, our embassy has been able to reach out to the student community and find that they are all doing well and have not faced any difficulties thus far,” he said. He advised that “all of our compatriots there not to venture out or find themselves in the middle of the disturbances.” Barcelona beat Real Madrid again to win Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia clasico Page 5 Page 12 NATION Page 9 Page 10 BRIEFLY Jairam urges Union Budget to address real challenges Trump says Iran wants to negotiate as the death toll rises to 544 PM Modi, German Chancellor boost defence, security ties ASHOK TUTEJA New Delhi, 12 January M eeting against the backdrop of the 3 January US action in Venezuela, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday resolved to strengthen defence and security cooperation, unequivocally condemned terrorism and reiterated their support for an early conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In a joint statement issued at the end of talks between the two leaders in Gandhi Nagar, the two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and strong support to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and reiterated the urgent need for comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council through the expansion of permanent and non-permanent categories of membership to reflect contemporary realities. On his first visit to Asia after assuming office last year, the German Chancellor indicated that the India-EU trade pact could be signed as early as this month. His comments assume significance since the presidents of the European Commission and the European Council would be visiting India later this month as chief guests at the Republic Day parade. In remarks at a joint press meet with the visiting leader, PM Modi said he had discussed with the German Chancellor the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza and regional developments and the two countries favour a peaceful resolution of all such issues. However, there was no mention of the developments in Venezuela in remarks made by the two leaders or in the joint statement issued by the two sides. “Close cooperation between the economies of countries like India and Germany is important for all of humanity. The growing trade and investment ties have infused new energy into our strategic partnership. Our bilateral trade has now reached its highest level ever and crossed the $50 billion mark,’’ the PM said. He said India and Germany are jointly advancing new projects in areas such as climate, energy, urban development, and urban mobility. The new mega project in green hydrogen involving companies from both countries will prove to be a game-changer for the energy of the future, he added. India and Germany signed as many as 19 agreements or MoUs, including those on bilateral defence industrial cooperation, semiconductors ecosystem, critical minerals, investment, education, health, science and technology and sports. India, USA to hold talks on trade pact on Tuesday: New American envoy STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 12 January In his first major public statement after arriving in New Delhi, United States new Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Monday said the two countries continue to be actively engaged in trade talks and the next meeting between their negotiators is scheduled for Tuesday. Addressing the embassy staff and the media as he took charge at the US Embassy here, he said US President Donald Trump has conveyed “his best wishes to his friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” “The friendship between Trump and PM Modi is real and the US and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by a relationship anchored at the highest levels. Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end,” Gor remarked. His statement comes days after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that a trade deal between the two countries did not happen because PM Modi did not call President Trump to seal the pact. New Delhi dismissed the US commerce secretary’s statement, saying his characterisation of the discussions between the two sides is ‘not accurate’. The new American envoy also stated that while tare is an important segment of ties between the two nations, they will also continue to work closely on other key issues, such as security, counterterrorism, energy, technology, education and health. He emphasised that both sides remain in regular contact despite differences over tariffs and market access. Gor also announced that India will be invited to join ‘PaxSilica’ as a full member next month. He explained that ‘PaxSilica’ is a new initiative that the USA launched just last month to build a secure, prosperous, and innovationdriven silicon supply chain from critical minerals and energy inputs to advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI development and logistics. “Nations that joined last month include Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Israel. India’s inclusion would further strengthen the group,” he added. Mumbai identity row: Defiant Annamalai ED approaches SC seeking CBI case against Bengal dares Thackerays, labels them ‘ignorant’ CM over alleged interference in I-PAC searches STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Chennai, 12 January With his remark on Mumbai sparking a political storm, providing a handle to the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a defiant IPS-turned BJP leader K Annamalai (photo) on Monday threw the gauntlet at the Thackerays daring them to touch him when he visits the city shortly next time. “No one can prevent me from coming to Mumbai. I am a son of a farmer and I can’t be intimidated. I will come to Mumbai. I am definitely coming. You can’t even touch me. If you could attempt to cut my leg. Had I been afraid of such threats I would have never stepped out of Coimbatore,” an unapologetic Annamalai told the media at the Chennai PARMOD KUMAR airport. “I have grown to a great extent that people like Udhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray are issuing threats at a public meeting organised to target me. Some people, who have no work there, are holding out threats to me and trying to intimidate me,” he said, asking, “Who are the Thackerays to threaten me?” “My parents are engaged in rearing sheep. They are holding public meetings to target the sons of those who herd cattle,” he quipped. “If I say Kamaraj (Congress stalwart and late chief minister whose rule is considered the golden era of Tamil Nadu) is one of India’s greatest leaders, does it mean he is no longer a Tamil? Likewise, if I say Mumbai is a world-class city, does it mean Maharashtrrians didn’t build it?” he asked, Yuva Shakti at heart of ‘Reform Express’, says PM Modi at Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue UNITED NEWS OF INDIA New Delhi, 12 January Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that India’s youth are at the core of the country’s rapid transformation, describing the reform initiatives of the past decade as a “Reform Express” powered by Yuva Shakti. Addressing the concluding session of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, he called upon young Indians to take a resolve to free the nation from the “mindset of slavery” and lead the march towards a developed India. Participating in the programme on the occasion of National Youth Day, which marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the Prime Minister said the ideas, energy and sense of purpose of the youth were placing them at the forefront of nation-building. “Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts continue to inspire our youth even today. With innovation, confidence and clarity of purpose, Yuva Shakti is shaping India’s future,” he said. Highlighting the govern- New Delhi, 12 January adding, “These people are ignorant.” The raging controversy over the BJP leader from Tamil Nadu was the fallout of his statement made during his campaign for the saffron party in the BMC elections, slated for 15 January. “Narendra (Modi) Ji at the Centre, Devendra (Fadnavis) Ji at the State and BJP Mayor in the BMC… because Bombay is not a Maharashtra city but an international city,” he had said at his campaign in the Western suburbs of the city which has a considerable Tamil population. His call for a triple engine circar, was seen as decoupling Mumbai from the rest of Maharashtra and his use of Bombay instead of Mumbai also appeared unpalatable to parties wedded to identity politics. ment’s sustained focus on young Indians, PM Modi said a series of youth-centric schemes over the years had created an ecosystem for inno vation and entrepreneurship. “It was from here that the startup revolution truly gathered momentum in India,” he noted, adding that the country was also witnessing remarkable growth in the Orange Economy, rooted in culture, content and creativity. Referring to reforms undertaken since 2014, the Prime Minister said, “Over the past decade, the series of reforms we began has now turned into a Reform Express. At the heart of these reforms is our Yuva Shakti.” He urged the youth to actively contribute ideas and solutions that would help realise the vision of Viksit Bharat. During the event, PM Modi interacted with around 3,000 youth from across the country, along with young delegates from the international diaspora. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has moved the Supreme Court seeking registration of an FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banarjee and senior State officials for allegedly obstructing its search and investigation operations at the Kolkata offices of political consultancy firm I-PAC and its co-founder Pratik Jain. The ED’ approached the Supreme Court following developments in the Calcutta High Court, where proceedings in connected petitions had to be adjourned on January 9 after crowding and commotion caused disturbance in the courtroom preventing smooth hearing of the cross petition by the ED and the All India Trinamul Congress (TMC). Before the Calcutta High Court, two separate petitions were filed—one by the ED and another by the TMC. The ED had sought a CBI probe against the Chief Minister for allegedly obstructing an ongoing investigation and also sought directions for the return of documents and electronic material it claims were taken from I-PAC premises. The TMC, on the other hand, approached the High Court seeking directions to restrain the central agency from leaking any party-related information. In its plea before the Supreme Court, the central agency has sought directions for registration of a First Information Report (FIR) by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the Chief Minister, apart from an order restraining her and State authorities from allegedly interfering with its probe. The ED has claimed that its search operations at I-PAC were linked to an ongoing investigation into alleged coal smuggling. According to the agency, its officers were prevented from carrying out searches in accordance with law after the intervention of the Chief Minister and State officials. It has alleged that during the inmcident, crucial physical and electronic evidence connected to the investigation was removed, resulting in serious prejudice to the probe. ISRO’s PSLV-C62/EOS-01 mission not accomplished VENKATACHARI JAGANNATHAN SPEAKING ABOUT THE STATUS, INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGANISATION (ISRO) CHAIRMAN DR.V. NARAYANAN SAID THE ROCKET EXPERIENCED DISTURBANCE TOWARDS THE END OF THE THIRD STAGE PERFORMANCE. SUBSEQUENTLY THERE WAS A DEVIATION IN THE ROCKET’S FLIGHT PATH,HE SAID, IN A BRIEF ADDRESS FROM THE MISSION CONTROL CENTRE, HERE. ACCORDING TO HIM, ISRO WILL COME BACK AFTER ANALYSING THE DATA. Sriharikota, 12 January In yet another failure of strategic space mission of Indian space agency, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C62 (PSLV-C62) on Monday morning failed to orbit the country’s latest spy satellite Anvesha or EOS-N1, an Earth Observation Satellite, belonging to the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO). Along with EOS-N1, the ill fated rocket was laden with 15 other small satellites belonging to Indian and foreign entities. Speaking about the status, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr.V. Narayanan said the rocket experienced disturbance towards the end of the third stage performance. Subsequently there was a deviation in the rocket’s flight path,he said, in a brief address from the Mission Control Centre, here. According to him, ISRO will come back after analysing the data. Anvesha (EOS-N1) is a hyperspectral satellite, equipped with advanced sensors capable of detecting objects and materials that are not visible to the naked eye. Unlike conventional cameras, hyperspectral sensors capture hundreds of narrow colour bands per pixel, enabling precise material identification. In strategic applications, this technology allows the detection of camouflaged assets, as fabrics, metals, and human bodies reflect light differently. The satellite is expected to significantly enhance surveillance of enemy troop movements, vehicles, concealed weapons, and other military assets. The 44.4 metre tall PSLV-DL variant–coded PSLV-C62- with a lift off mass of 260 ton blasted off from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) here at about 10.18 a.m. IST. This rocket variant was used the first time to put into orbit the Microsat R satellite on January 24, 2019 and for fifth time it has flown today. In its normal configuration, the PSLV is a four stage/engine rocket powered by solid and liquid fuels alternatively with six booster motors strapped on to the first stage to give higher thrust during the initial flight moments. Soon after the blast off the rocket slowly rose up towards the skies with thick orange flame at its tail and gained speed and went up and up, leaving a thick plume. At about four minutes after lift off the rocket third stage ignited and later the engine shutdown. “The failure seems to be similar to the failure of PSLV-C61 rocket as seen from the video broadcast,” a rocket expert told this correspondent not wanting to be quoted.