Ajay Kaul

Stories by Ajay Kaul

Prachanda keen to meet Indian PM

Prachanda keen to meet Indian PM

Rediff.com   18 Jan 2010

Nursing "serious suspicions" on India's role in Nepal's political process, Maoist leader Prachanda has said the Indian establishment had failed to "grasp the verdict" of the historic 2008 election and he is keen to discuss his concerns with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Krishna talks tough with Nepal leader Prachanda

Krishna talks tough with Nepal leader Prachanda

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2010

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Saturday conveyed India's 'deep disappointment' to Maoist leader Prachanda over his verbal attacks on the country, terming them 'baseless propaganda'. During a meeting with Prachanda in Kathmandu, Krishna asked the Maoists to fulfill their peace process commitments and join the consensus on concluding the peace process and drafting the new constitution by the targeted date of May 28. Krishna "conveyed deep disappointment".

UK, France support India's fight against terror

UK, France support India's fight against terror

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2009

The United kingdom and France on Saturday joined India in making it clear that there should be no 'double standards' in the fight against terrorism, a view that can be seen in the context of Pakistan. The three countries also highlighted the need to bring to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks and 'vigorous efforts' to deal with terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

India to accept emission reduction target if...

India to accept emission reduction target if...

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2009

Pushing for a legally binding substantive outcome at the Copenhagen climate change meet, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said India is willing to sign on to an ambitious global target for emission reduction or limiting temperature increase, if it is accompanied by an equitable burden-sharing paradigm. He denounced attempts by some developed nations to junk the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions.

India can't quiz Headley, Rana: US official

India can't quiz Headley, Rana: US official

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2009

The United States, which foiled a major terror plot by the Lashkar-e-Tayiba to target India, has cited legal limitations in allowing Indian investigators to quiz arrested operatives David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Rana. US National Security Adviser James Jones said President Barack Obama has shown personal interest in the Headley-Rana case and the matter was discussed during his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday.

India, France talk climate change in Caribbean

India, France talk climate change in Caribbean

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2009

The meeting between Dr Singh and Sarkozy on climate change assumes significance as it came just ten days before the Copenhagen Summit on the issue.

US, China commit to cut emission; India feels heat

US, China commit to cut emission; India feels heat

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2009

The issue of climate change is going to dominate the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which is being attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

'India should use its influence to convince Iran'

'India should use its influence to convince Iran'

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2009

As the stand-off between Iran and the West continues over its nuclear programme, the United States has said India should use its 'influence' to convince the Iranian leadership to accept the 'one of the most reasonable' and 'perfectly plausible' proposal of low enrichment uranium.

PM invites Indian diaspora to see new India

PM invites Indian diaspora to see new India

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2009

Identifying education and business as areas of reconnecting with Indian diaspora, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited them on Friday to undertake a 'pilgrimage' to the 'new creative India' and be active partners of the country's development and progress by making use of investment and business opportunities.

Krishna not too keen to meet Pak foreign minister

Krishna not too keen to meet Pak foreign minister

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2009

Unhappy with the behaviour of Pakistan over terrorism, particularly the Mumbai attacks, India is not too keen to have a foreign ministerial meeting with Pakistan, even though both Union Foreign Minister S M Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi are in Port of Spain in to attend an international summit.

'No rules violated in giving visa to Rana'

'No rules violated in giving visa to Rana'

Rediff.com   26 Nov 2009

Indian Consul General in Chicago Ashok Atri, embroiled in a controversy over visa issued to Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative Tahawwur Hussain Rana, has met Union External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and said that no rules had been violated in giving him the travel document, as he had submitted all proper papers for the same.

India, US to boost biz cooperation

India, US to boost biz cooperation

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2009

While the Framework would support small and medium enterprises in exploring new business opportunities, the US-India Financial and Economic Partnership would deal with economic, financial and investment-related issues.

India, US join hands against terror, proliferation

India, US join hands against terror, proliferation

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2009

India and the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on counter-terrorism and five other pacts as they ventured to chart their ties as "one of the defining relations" in the 21st century in which India will have a leadership role in the region and the world.

Dr Singh 'honest', Barack Obama 'wise'

Dr Singh 'honest', Barack Obama 'wise'

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2009

US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday effusively praised each other after their first substantive meeting with the US President calling the Prime Minister a man of "honesty and integrity" who has helped unleash India's "extraordinary economic growth".

GDP not the be all and end all: PM

GDP not the be all and end all: PM

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2009

India's growth rate, which slowed down to 6.5 per cent this fiscal because of global financial meltdown, is expected to get back to around 9 per cent within two years.

PM allays fears on economic reforms

PM allays fears on economic reforms

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2009

Reaching out to the American business community, he said, virtually all spheres of Indian economy are open for participation by foreign investors and "no investors will be more welcome than investors from this great country".

Climate meet: What India wants

Climate meet: What India wants

Rediff.com   23 Nov 2009

Coinciding with the Copenhagen meet, India is considering a legislation incorporating all its action plans and national missions aimed at reducing dependence on coal based fuels.

Resuming dialogue the only sensible course: Pak

Resuming dialogue the only sensible course: Pak

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2009

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi termed as a 'positive development' the Joint Statement issued last week after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani in Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt, and said it needed to be taken forward.

'India's N-deal proceedings based on NSG waiver'

'India's N-deal proceedings based on NSG waiver'

Rediff.com   23 Jul 2009

Notwithstanding the resolution of G-8 countries on curbing transfer of enrichment and reprocessing technology, India on Thursday asserted that it was proceeding with bilateral civil nuclear deals with various countries on the basis of 'clean waiver' granted by the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

What Krishna expects from Pakistan

What Krishna expects from Pakistan

Rediff.com   23 Jul 2009

India on Thursday asked Pakistan to demonstrate the same 'force' to deal with terror groups like Laskar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed like it has done against the Taliban in Swat Valley.