Aziz Haniffa

Stories by Aziz Haniffa

'Just 11,000 NRIs enrolled to vote'

'Just 11,000 NRIs enrolled to vote'

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2013

If there is no possibility of NRIs coming to India to vote, why should they get enrolled, asks Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath.

EC's biggest dilemma: How to prevent media from influencing elections

EC's biggest dilemma: How to prevent media from influencing elections

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2013

In Indian elections today, India's Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath says, "Muscle Power has been replaced by 'Money Power,'" adding that the Election Commission's greatest dilemma is worrying about how the media can be prevented from influencing the outcome in the coming general election.

Sujatha Singh in US, says it's up to Karzai to sign security pact

Sujatha Singh in US, says it's up to Karzai to sign security pact

Rediff.com   13 Dec 2013

Aziz Haniffa reports from Washignton, DC, on Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh's three-day visit to the US capital.

Why US is worried about SC ruling on gay sex

Why US is worried about SC ruling on gay sex

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2013

Both the Barack Obama administration and United States lawmakers on Capitol Hill have expressed concern over the Indian Supreme Court's decision to uphold a law that criminalises consensual homosexual conduct.

US cannot keep avoiding Modi: Experts

US cannot keep avoiding Modi: Experts

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2013

Two former senior United States diplomats, with more than 60 years experience in South Asia between them, have exhorted Washington to establish communication with Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi sooner than later.

Won't interfere in Kashmir issue; India-Pak can sort it on their own: US

Won't interfere in Kashmir issue; India-Pak can sort it on their own: US

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2013

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal believes the India-US nuclear deal is not in limbo and it is for India and Pakistan to set the pace for conversations to resolve their issues. Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa reports from Washington, DC.

No change in US visa policy towards Modi -- at least for now

No change in US visa policy towards Modi -- at least for now

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2013

Longtime diplomatic observers feel that if Narendra Modi were to become prime minister or even a Cabinet official if the BJP captures power in the next election, there is no way the State Department would refuse him entry into the US, unless Washington wanted to risk the unravelling of the carefully nurtured US-India strategic partnership. Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa reports from Washington, DC.

'Pakistan is not a friend of the US. It is a disloyal ally'

'Pakistan is not a friend of the US. It is a disloyal ally'

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2013

'We give them a lot of money and they turn that money around and that goes to the bad guys that kill not only folks in America and Afghanistan, but you in India,' says United States Congressman Ted Poe.

'Pak can't forever take arms from US to confront India'

'Pak can't forever take arms from US to confront India'

Rediff.com   19 Nov 2013

Providing military assistance in the hope that it will change Pakistan's worldview is wrong, says erstwhile ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani

Desi diplomat to assist US secretary Nisha Desai Biswal

Desi diplomat to assist US secretary Nisha Desai Biswal

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2013

Atul Keshap, a senior Indian American career diplomat and one of the rising stars in the United States foreign service, has been picked by Nisha Desai Biswal, the newly appointed assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, to be her deputy.

Obama nominates Indian-American as next US Surgeon General

Obama nominates Indian-American as next US Surgeon General

Rediff.com   15 Nov 2013

United States President Barack Obama has announced his intention to nominate Indian-American Dr Vivek Hallegere Murthy as his next Surgeon General.

Post Afghan retreat terror may revisit Kashmir: US commander

Post Afghan retreat terror may revisit Kashmir: US commander

Rediff.com   6 Nov 2013

Admiral Samuel J Locklear III, Commander of the US Pacific Command, has not ruled out militants fighting in Afghanistan today switching their attention back to Kashmir post-US and NATO withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan, and expressed concern over the recent terrorist attacks across the Line of Control that has exacerbated tensions between India and Pakistan.

Obama administration bids sentimental adieu to Nirupama Rao

Obama administration bids sentimental adieu to Nirupama Rao

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2013

On her last day as India's envoy to the United States, Ambassador Nirupama Rao was felicitated by the Barck Obama administration at the State Department on Monday, with US Secretary of State John F Kerry thanking her for her service toward furthering the strategic partnership between the two nations.

Former nightclub will be India's brand new cultural hub in US

Former nightclub will be India's brand new cultural hub in US

Rediff.com   31 Oct 2013

The government of India has brought a property to house an Indian Cultural Centre in downtown Washington, DC for a whopping $5.7 million.

Obama-Sharif summit: If daal, keema banter was the measure, an A+

Obama-Sharif summit: If daal, keema banter was the measure, an A+

Rediff.com   25 Oct 2013

The jury is still out on whether the Obama-Sharif summit managed to repair the trust deficit and mutual suspicions. But if pleasantries and cordiality was the measure of this summit, it receives a resounding A+ grade, says Aziz Haniffa

When India-Pakistan almost resolved the Kashmir issue

When India-Pakistan almost resolved the Kashmir issue

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2013

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says improving ties with India is "my favourite subject" even as he once again sought America's intervention in the Kashmir issue.

Sharif calls for halt on drone strikes; White House pushes back

Sharif calls for halt on drone strikes; White House pushes back

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2013

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz sharif warns that continuing US drone strikes will be a detriment to his country's efforts to eliminate terrorism; but the White House defends these strikes and vows to continue despite condemnation from the un and amnesty international too. Aziz Haniffa reports

Sharif continues urging for US mediation in Kashmir

Sharif continues urging for US mediation in Kashmir

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2013

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif continues his exhortation for US mediation in Kashmir, and harks back to his meeting with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee when the latter had agreed to a resolution of Kashmir imbroglio; senior us officials assert there is 'absolutely no change in us policy' that Kashmir has to be resolved bilaterally. Aziz Haniffa reports.

This year, Capitol Hill will light up for a special Diwali

This year, Capitol Hill will light up for a special Diwali

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2013

Thanks to the indefatigable perseverance of Congressman Joe Crowley, New York Democrat and a long-time and time-tested friend of India and the Indian American community, the United States Congress will celebrate it's first-ever Congressional Diwali celebration on October 29 at 6 pm at the Rayburn House Building foyer on the first floor.

Bobby Jindal hints at being in the race for White House

Bobby Jindal hints at being in the race for White House

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2013

In the clearest sign yet that he is seriously considering a bid for the Republican Party nomination in 2016 for presidency, Louisiana Governor Piyush 'Bobby' Jindal on October 17 unveiled the formation of his new organization, America Next -- a non-profit to promote conservative policy ideas.