FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI PERSPECTIVE Transformative stewardship NATION Congress slams PM’s ‘natural partners’ remark Page 5 Page 9 Confident that trade talks will unlock limitless potential: PM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Modi, Meloni agree on need for early, peaceful resolution of Ukraine conflict New Delhi, 10 September 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 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 10 September 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 teams are 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.” 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 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. PM Modi also spoke over the phone with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, and expressed condemnation of the Israeli attack in Doha and the violation of Qatar’s sovereignty. Nepal political turmoil: After Oli’s exit, Gen Z protesters hold meet to choose interim govt BIBHU LUITEL CM Mamata may extend stay at Uttarkanya Kathmandu, 10 September The Nepal Army on Wednesday assumed control of the streets after two days of mayhem, urging 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. With Prime Minister K P STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Siliguri, 10 September Sharma Oli having resigned following the anti-corruption 'Gen Z' protests that swept across the Himalayan nation, leaders from among the protesters and their allies held a meeting at the Army Headquarters in Bhadrakali, Kathmandu, to discuss the choice of an apolitical figure to lead an interim government. The name of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, who has a clean image was being mentioned in this context. She has said she was ready to take the leadership role, provided she is unanimously supported by all Gen Z leaders. The names of Kathmandu Mayor Balenndra Shah, Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang and former bureaucrat Kulman Ghising have also been mentioned. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday evening that she may stay at Uttarkanya for a few more days if the situation in Nepal does not improve. Speaking to reporters at Uttarkanya, Miss Banerjee said: “Though I have not yet decided, I may remain here for a few more days to continue monitoring the situation in Nepal. If the situation improves, I will return to Kolkata. I may visit the Indo–Nepal border tomorrow.” The CM also expressed her anguish after watching footage of the incidents in Nepal. India, EU 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. | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | Thursday, 11 September 2025
The Statesman is one of India's oldest English newspapers. It was founded in Kolkata in 1875 and is directly descended from The Friend of India (founded 1818). The Englishman (founded 1821) was merged with The Statesman in 1934. The Delhi edition of The Statesman began publication in 1931. The Statesman Weekly is a compendium of news and views from the Kolkata and Delhi editions. Printed on airmail paper, it is popular with readers outside India. The Statesman (average weekday circulation approximately 180,000) is a leading English newspaper in West Bengal. The Sunday Statesman has a circulation of 230,000.
