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 | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR Indian banking system sees rapid expansion BRIEFLY 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.” Jairam urges Union Budget to address real challenges 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. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 12 January 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 trade is an important segment of ties between the two nations, they will also continue to work closely on other key issues, Mumbai identity row: Defiant Annamalai dares Thackerays, labels them ‘ignorant’ 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 Page 16 NATION 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. India, USA to hold talks on trade pact on Tuesday: New American envoy In his first major public statement after arriving in New Delhi, the new US 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 Barcelona beat Real Madrid again to win Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia clasico Page 5 Trump says Iran wants to negotiate as the death toll rises to 544 Page 11 Page 12 can’t be intimidated. I will come to Mumbai. I am definitely coming. You can’t even touch me, if you 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 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 Tuesday, 13 January 2026 SPORTS WORLD BUSINESS | a Tamil? Likewise, if I say Mumbai is a world-class city, does it mean Maharashtrians didn’t build it?” he asked, 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. 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. ISRO’s PSLVC62/EOS-01 mission not accomplished UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Sriharikota, 12 January ISRO’s workhorse and reliable rocket PSLV-C62 on Monday failed to inject the DRDO’s EOS-N1 Earth Observation Satellite, designed and developed for strategic purpose, along with 15 other co-passenger payloads from India and abroad into the intended Orbit. The PSLV-C62 mission was scheduled as one of longest to be flown by ISRO. After a smooth 22.5 hr countdown, the home grown 44.4 metre tall four stage vehicle, with a lift off mass of 260 tonnes, took off majestically from the First Launch Pad at 1018 hrs, much to the delight of tens and hundreds of spectators who had gathered at the Launch Gallery centre in the SHAR Range here. “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. Mamata flags harassment of voters , writes fifth letter to ECI STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 12 January Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday wrote for the fifth time to the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging widespread harassment of voters and serious administrative lapses in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In a strongly worded letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, she warned that if the present procedure continues, the names of genuine voters could be deleted arbitrarily at any time. The Chief Minister said the SIR process, as it is being implemented, is “fundamentally flawed, baseless and unconstitutional,” and is causing undue hardship to ordinary citizens instead of fulfilling its stated objective of cleaning the electoral rolls. She expressed deep concern that eligible voters were being unlawfully excluded from the rolls due to procedural irregularities and what she described as “systemic negligence.” Ms Banerjee pointed out that during hearings under the SIR process, many voters are submitting valid documents, but the authorities are neither acknowledging receipt nor issuing any proof of submission. At a later stage, these very documents are reportedly being termed “missing” or “not found in records,” resulting in deletion of names from the voter list. As voters are left without any documentary evidence of submission, they are rendered entirely dependent on administrative discretion, she said, creating a real risk of disenfranchisement. Reiterating that the purpose of SIR was to correct errors and improve the accuracy of electoral rolls, the Chief Minister stressed that it was never meant to exclude legitimate voters. She alleged that the current approach has turned the exercise into one of intimidation and confusion rather than rectification.