MONDAY 07 JULY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00 | LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘NO FTA AT THE COST OF INDIA’S CORE INTERESTS’ CONG SLAMS MODI GOVT OVER POVERTY & INEQUALITY DATA P10 WEATHER Generally cloudy sky. Rain/thundershower very likely in some areas. Maximum and Minimum Temperature likely to be around 31˚C and 26˚C respectively. Min. 83% TEMPERATURE Max: 29.8˚C ( -2.7 ) SUN RISES 04:58 hrs MOON RISES 15:34 hrs P4 Modi calls for global governance reforms At BRICS Summit, PM Modi highlights importance of representing the interests of the Global South in decision-making processes RAINFALL: Trace RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 92% Min: 26.8 ˚C (0) SUN SETS 18:25 hrs MOON SETS 02:19 hrs Full Moon on 11 July THUMBNAILS Spiritual leader Dalai Lama speaks during the beginning of his 90th birthday celebrations, (Page 4) in Dharamshala on Sunday. n ANI No request to withhold Reuters' X account: The Centre on Sunday clarified that there has been no request made by the Indian government to withhold the news agency Reuters' account on the ‘X' (formerly Twitter) social media platform in the country. This clarification came after Reuters' X account was found withheld in India. Users attempting to access the account encountered a notice stating that the account had been withheld "in response to a legal demand". STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 JULY Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasised the need for comprehensive reforms in global governance at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Addressing the gathering, PM Modi highlighted the importance of representing the interests of the Global South in decisionmaking processes. “Global South has often been subjected to double standards. Whether it's development, resource distribution, or security-related issues, the interests of the Global South have not been prioritised,” Mr Modi underlined. “The institutions established in the 20th century do not adequately represent two-thirds of humanity. Without the Global South, these institutions are like a mobile with a SIM but no network,” PM Modi said, asserting: “Today, the world needs a new multipolar and inclusive world order. This must begin with comprehensive reforms in global institutions.” He expressed India's commitment to working with BRICS countries to contribute constructively to all issues and welcomed Indonesia’s inclusion in the BRICS family. Stressing the need for reforms in institutions like the UN Security Council, WTO, and multilateral development banks, PM Modi used a metaphor to drive home the point: “In the age of AI, where technology is updated every week, it's unacceptable for global institutions to remain unchanged for eighty years. 21st-century software cannot be run on 20th-century typewriters.” Earlier, arriving at Rio de Janeiro’s Museum of Modern Art to attend the Summit, PM Modi was warmly greeted by Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (ANI photo). Meanwhile, the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the BRICS nations voiced serious concerns about the unilateral imposition of tariffs and non-tariff measures, in apparent reference to the USA, which they deemed inconsistent with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. In a joint statement following their first meeting under Brazil's chairmanship, the Group emphasised the resilience of the BRICS nations ~ Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa ~ along with new members in the face of these challenges and pledged to safeguard a non-discriminatory, open, fair, inclusive, equitable, and rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, underscoring a collective commitment to global economic stability. The statement comes amidst a challenging global economic context marked by heightened uncertainty and volatility, as the end of the 90-day pause on the reciprocal tariff escalations announced by US President Donald Trump on 2 April, approaches. The pause ends on 9 July. SC asks govt to take back official CJI residence from ex-CJI Chandrachud Bihar roll revision row: ECI counters rumours AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 6 JULY AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 6 JULY The Supreme Court administration has formally written to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, asking for immediate action to vacate Bungalow No 5, Krishna Menon Marg, currently occupied by former Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud. The administration said that ex-CJI Chandrachud has continued to occupy the official residence beyond the permitted period and sought that the official Chief Justice residence be urgently vacated and returned to the court's housing pool. The letter from the Supreme Court administration dated 1 July stated: “I am to request you to take the possession of Bungalow No. 5, Krishna Menon Marg, from Justice DY Chandrachud without any further delay as not only the permission that was granted for retention... has expired on 31st May, 2025, but also the period of six months provided in Rule 3B of the 2022 Rules has expired on 10th May, 2025.” Under Rule 3B of the 2022 Supreme Court Judges Rules, a retired Chief Justice is allowed to retain official accommodation for up to six months post-retirement. The letter stated that the six-month period had expired on 10 May 2025, and that the special retention permission granted had also lapsed on 31 May 2025. Amid political controversies and rumours over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday said the first phase of the process has been completed smoothly and in accordance with guidelines. In a detailed press note, the ECI said that “no changes have been made in the SIR instructions issued on June 24”, debunking claims from various quarters that the process was being manipulated to favour the ruling dispensation ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. So far, 1.69 crore Enumeration Forms, nearly 21.46 per cent of Bihar’s 7.90 crore registered voters, have been collected, with over 65 lakh forms submitted in the past 24 hours. “It is reiterated that SIR is being conducted as per the SIR instructions dated July 24 2025, and there is no change in the instructions. As per instructions, draft electoral rolls that will be issued on August 1 2025, will contain the names of persons whose enumeration forms are received,” the ECI said. “The electors can submit their documents any time before July 25, 2025. After publication of draft Electoral Rolls, if any document is deficient, EROs can obtain such documents from the electors whose name appears in the draft Electoral Rolls, during scrutiny in the Claims and Objection period”. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar shed light on the marathon meetings conducted with various political parties in the past four months and said all shared a common opinion that electoral rolls are ‘not up to the mark’, prompting the ECI to go for a major overhaul. (See Pg 5) French intelligence: Beijing used embassies to undermine Rafale sales AGENCIES PARIS, 6 JULY China deployed its embassies to spread doubts about the performance of French-made Rafale jets after they saw combat in India and Pakistan’s clashes in May, French military and intelligence officials have concluded, implicating Beijing in an effort to hammer the reputation and sales of France’s flagship fighter. Findings from a French intelligence service seen by The Associated Press say defense attaches in China’s foreign embassies led a charge to undermine Rafale sales, seeking to persuade countries that have already ordered the French-made fighter ~ notably Indonesia ~ not to buy more and to encourage other potential buyers to choose Chinese-made planes. The four days of IndiaPakistan clashes in May were ELON MUSK LAUNCHES NEW POLITICAL PARTY the most serious confrontation in years between the two neighbours, and included air combat that involved dozens of aircraft from both sides. Pakistan claimed its air force downed five Indian planes during the fighting, including three Rafales. India acknowledged aircraft losses but didn’t say how many. French air force chief Gen. Jérôme Bellanger said that he’s seen evidence pointing to just 3 Indian losses ~ a Rafale, a Russian-made Sukhoi and a Mirage 2000. It would be the first known combat loss of a Rafale, which France has sold to eight countries. French officials have been battling to protect the plane from reputational damage, pushing back against what they allege was a concerted campaign of Rafale-bashing and disinformation online from Pakistan and its ally China. They say the campaign included viral posts on social media, manipulated imagery showing supposed Rafale debris, AI-generated content and video-game depictions to simulate supposed combat. More than 1,000 social media accounts newly created as the India-Pakistan clashes erupted also spread a narrative of Chinese technological superiority, according to French researchers. The French intelligence service said Chinese embassy defense attaches echoed the same narrative in meetings they held with security and defense officials from other countries, arguing that Indian Air Force Rafales performed poorly and promoting Chinese-made weaponry. The defense attaches focused their lobbying on countries that have ordered Rafales and other potential customernations that are considering purchases, the intelligence service said. P9 AKASH’S 10-FER POWERS INDIA TO EDGBASTON WIN P12 After Nadda, BJP mulls picking woman as national president SUSHIL KUMAR NEW DELHI, 6 JULY The BJP's central leadership is reportedly considering appointing a woman as the party's next national president, following the end of JP Nadda's extended term last month. Extensive discussions have been held on the issue as several prominent women political leaders are being considered for the BJP’s top post, party insiders said. Over the past few weeks, the party has been busy appointing chiefs for its local units. After making the necessary changes in several state units, the BJP is now focused on choosing its national president. Mr Nadda, who was given an extension in view of the general election last year, will soon hand over the party's reins to the next leader it elects. Among the frontrunners is Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who recently met Mr Nadda and other prominent party leaders at the BJP headquarters in the national capital. Given her wide-ranging experience in and outside the government, she is being seen as a strong contender, they said, adding that if Mrs Sitharaman is appointed, it could help the party expand its footprint in the southern states. D Purandeswari is another name being considered for Among those said to be in the running are Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, former Union minister of state D Purandeswari, and Tamil Nadu party leader Vanathi Srinivasan the post. She is the former president of the BJP’s Andhra Pradesh unit. She was also a part of the multi-party delegations sent to various countries as part of a global outreach in connection with Operation Sindoor. Another woman leader of the party ~ Vanathi Srinivasan ~ is a lawyer-turned-politician from Tamil Nadu. Presently, Ms Srinivasan represents Coimbatore South in the Tamil Nadu assembly. She has served the party in various capacities since joining it in 1993. The party appointed her National President of the BJP Mahila Morcha in 2020. After two years, she became a member of the BJP’s Central Election Committee. There could be two important reasons why the saffron party would want to have a woman president. One, the party pushing for a woman president would align it with the Women's Reservation Bill, which it got cleared from both Houses of Parliament in 2023. The Bill seeks 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. Two, the party wants to further influence women voters and strengthen its slogan of ‘Nari Shakti’ by electing a female head. A few weeks ago, the name of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan ~ a key OBC leader from Odisha known for his organisational skills ~ was mentioned as being considered for the party’s top post, along with other Union Ministers such as Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Manohar Lal Khattar, both of whom are former state chief ministers with substantial credentials as mass leaders and grassroots experience.