www.thestatesman.com | FOLLOW US: India’s National Newspaper since 1818 Evolve | @TheStatesmanLtd Pages 16 | ` 5.00 @thestatesmanltd | KOLKATA SILIGURI Trump dials it down on India, PM reciprocates Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties A day after he said the USA seems to have lost India to ‘deep, dark’ China, US President Donald Trump softened his stance, stating on Saturday that the USA and India had a ‘special relationship’ and lavishing praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi warmly reciprocated Mr Trump's sentiments, describing India-US relationship as a "very p ositive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership." In comments made at the White House, Mr Trump's called Mr Modi a "great Prime Minister" and stated: "I will always be friends with Modi... India and the United States have a special relationship. There is nothing to worry about." “Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump's sentiments and positive assessment of our ties," PM Modi responded in a post on the X social media platform. NARENDRA MODI, PRIME MINISTER PM Modi & US President Donald Trump deliver a joint press statement after their meeting at the White House, in Washington, DC on 14 February 2025. ANI FILE PHOTO “There’s nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion,” Mr Trump told reporters at the Oval Office, adding: “I'll always be friends with Modi, he’s a great prime minister. He's great. I'll always be friends, but I just don't like what he's doing at this particular moment." Mr Modi, in his response on ‘X’, emphasised the depth of India and the USA’s bilateral relationship, describing it as a "very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership." This marks Mr Modi’s first public acknowledgment of Mr Trump since the US president imposed steep tariffs on Indian exports. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar later asserted that PM Modi attaches “enormous importance” to India’s partnership with the United States and shares a PM Modi to skip UNGA session; EAM likely to represent India Row over defacing of Nat’l Emblem: Jammu: The defacing of a newly installed plaque bearing the Ashoka Emblem inside Srinagar’s Hazratbal shrine after Friday prayers has sparked a major controversy. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned the placement of the national symbol in a religious site and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti demanding action under blasphemy laws against the Waqf Board for authorising its installation. Page 5 | AGENCIES New Delhi, 6 September Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be addressing the General Debate at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), as per the revised provisional list of speakers released for the high-level session later this month. The 80th session of the UNGA is set to open on 9 September, marking a milestone year as the UN celebrates its 80th anniversary. The central theme for the session will be 'Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights.' A high-level commemorative meeting will take place on 22 September to mark the anniversary. The General Debate will be held from 23 to 29 September, | What is Vivekananda's philosophy about ethics, morality, love and compassion? Page 12 New Delhi, 6 September New Delhi: Sharjeel Imam on Saturday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court order that denied him bail in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) over the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. On September 2, the Delhi High Court had refused bail to Imam and eight others — Umar Khalid, Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Meeran Haider, Shadab Ahmed, Abdul Khalid Saifi, and Gulfisha Fatima. While rejecting their pleas, the court observed that the roles of Imam and Khalid in the conspiracy appeared “grave,” pointing to speeches made by them on communal lines to “instigate mass mobilisation of members of the Muslim community.” NEW DELHI BHUBANESWAR | 07 September, 2025 S P O RT S STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Sharjeel Imam moves SC against bail denial: | 8th Day A veteran journalist and film critic finds Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali to be the ‘perfect’ film. Page 13 BRIEFLY People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 with Brazil traditionally speaking first, followed by the United States. According to the updated list of speakers, India will now be represented by a "minister" instead of the Prime Minister. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar is expected to address the General Assembly on 27 September. Earlier, a provisional list of speakers issued in July had scheduled Prime Minister Modi to deliver India's address on 26 September. On the same day, the heads of government of Israel, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh are slated to speak during the high-level debate. The UNGA has clarified that the list of speakers remains provisional and subject to revisions as the session approaches. very good personal equation with President Trump. “PM Modi attaches enormous importance to our partnership with the US. Where President Trump is concerned, he has always had a very good personal equation with him. We are and remain engaged with the US, and at this time, I can't say more than that. But that's really what I would say,” Mr Jaishankar said. The exchange between Mr Modi and Mr Trump comes at a time of strained India-US relations, particularly due to the tariffs imposed by the USA and differing positions on India’s energy imports from Russia. Dinner meetings of NDA MPs with Modi, Nadda cancelled US Open: Alcaraz beats Djokovic to set up another Grand Slam final clash with Sinner Page 16 Khalistani extremist groups raising funds inside Canada, says Canadian govt’s report STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 6 September Khalistani extremist groups are among “several terrorist entities" that have been receiving financial support originating from inside Canada, according to a new Canadian government report on terror financing and money laundering. The findings are part of the report titled ‘2025 Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risks in Canada’, which identifies Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation as among the Khalistani groups that have received funding from inside Canada. The government report acknowledged that the Khalistani extremist groups are "supporting violent means to establish an independent state within Punjab, India". It said that Khalistani groups are suspected of raising funds in a number of countries, including Canada. The report also states that these groups previously had an extensive fundraising network in Canada but now appear to consist of smaller pockets of individuals with allegiance to the cause but seemingly no particular affiliation to a specific group. Several terrorist entities listed under the Criminal Code in Canada that fall under the Politically Motivated Violent Extremism (PMVE) category, such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Khalistani extremist groups Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation, have been observed by law enforcement and intelligence agencies to receive financial support originating from Canada, the report said. PM Modi discusses efforts to end Ukraine conflict with Macron STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 6 September The planned dinner meetings of NDA MPs with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president JP Nadda have been cancelled in view of floods in Punjab and other parts of India. The NDA MPs, who were asked to be gathered in the national capital by Saturday in view of the upcoming Vice-Presidential election, will not have the planned dinner programme at the PM’s official residence in New Delhi on 8 September, sources said. The NDA MPs' other dinner parties, which were to be held at the BJP national president’s house have also been cancelled. Politically Motivated Violent Extremism (PMVE) encourages the use of violence to establish new political systems, or new structures and norms within existing systems. While PMVE may include religious elements, actors are more focused on political self-determination or representation, rather than racial or ethnic supremacy. The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada’s (FINTRAC) 2022 Operational Alert on Terrorist Activity Financing identified Hezbollah as the second most frequently identified international terrorist entity to receive outgoing Canadian funds. The findings provide significant leverage to India, which has repeatedly raised concerns about the activities of pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil. The report also highlighted the abuse of non-profit and charitable activities. The misuse of the charitable and non-profit organisation (NPO) sectors has been observed as a prominent financing method used by Hamas and Hezbollah. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 6 September Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday had a telephonic conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron during which the two leaders discussed 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. On Ukraine. PM Modi reiterated India’s consistent support for the peaceful resolution of the conflict and the early restoration of peace and stability. He thanked President Macron for accepting the invitation to attend the AI Impact Summit hosted by India in February 2026, and looked forward to welcoming him to India. ' ' H a d a ve r y g o o d conversation with President Macron. We reviewed and p o sitively assesse d the p ro g re s s i n b i l a t e r a l cooperation in various areas. E xc h a n g e d v i e ws o n international and regional issues, including efforts for bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine. The I n d i a - Fr a n c e S t r a t e g i c Partnership will continue to play a key role in fostering global peace and stability,'' PM Modi wrote on the 'X' socila media platform later. Election Commission says ECI pressing ahead with pan-India SIR, Congress video ‘misleading’ meeting with state CEOs on 10 September STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 6 September The Election Commission of India Saturday issued a fact-check against a video posted by the Congress party's official social media handle, labeling the message tagged "Vote Chor - Gaddi Chhod" as "misleading" and "not in line with existing laws." This comes after the Congress party used the slogan extensively during the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar to accuse the ECI of alleged manipulation of election rolls and results. The disputed video demanded sharing of CCTV footage from polling stations in Maharashtra. However, THE DISPUTED VIDEO DEMANDED SHARING OF CCTV FOOTAGE FROM POLLING STATIONS IN MAHARASHTRA. HOWEVER, THE ECI EXPLAINED THAT MAKING SUCH FOOTAGE PUBLIC WOULD COMPROMISE THE SECRECY OF THE BALLOT AND THE PRIVACY OF VOTERS. the ECI explaine d that making such footage public wo u l d c o m p ro m i s e t h e secrecy of the ballot and the privacy of voters. This could lead to voters facing pressure, discrimination, or intimidation. The ECI cited a Supreme Court judgment dealing w i t h p r i va c y i s s u e s , specifically the Puttaswamy Judgment (2017), which declared the Right to Privacy a fundamental right protected by Article 21 and traceable to Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution. The Commission emphasized its commitment to upholding the integrity of elections and protecting voter privacy. According to Section 81 of the Representation of the People Act (RP Act), 1951, an election petition can be filed within 45 days from the declaration of results. In line with this, the ECI retains CCTV footage for 45 days. The Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court have also rejected pleas to provide CCTV footage of polling stations to the public. AGENCIES New Delhi, 6 September Unfazed by the heat it has been facing over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state of Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is considering conducting a similar exercise across the country. According to sources, the ECI has called a meeting of all the state Chief Electoral Officers (CEO) in Delhi on 10 September and will have a discussion at length on this matter. The meeting will be attended by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, election commissioners and other senior poll body officers. The SIR drive conducted in Bihar had evoked a political storm, with opposition parties, including RJD, Congress, CPI, CPM, TMC, SP, among others, attacking the poll panel for allegedly working against the mandate of the commission by deleting a large number of voters, mainly from the downtrodden and marginalised sections. As polls are due next year in the states of West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, the poll panel, according to the reports, is likely to conduct the SIR in the whole country, which is likely to reignite a political battle between the ruling and the opposition parties. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Tamil Nadu's CM Stalin have expressed their opposition to the SIR drive, while BJP-ruled states have supported the poll panel. The CEC last month, in his maiden press conference, dismissed allegations of bias against the poll panel in the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar, stressing that “some are trying to fool the voters” by spreading confusion and questioning the credibility of both the poll body and the electorate. Without naming any party, the CEC indirectly responded to the Opposition's claims that the ECI was colluding with the ruling BJP. “When politics is being done by targeting the voters of India by keeping a gun on the shoulder of the Election Commission, today the Election Commission wants to make it clear that it fearlessly stands like a rock with all voters – poor, rich, elderly, women, youth, and of every religion – without any discrimination,” Gyanesh Kumar had said at a press conference in Delhi.