Aziz Haniffa

Stories by Aziz Haniffa

Why are we ignoring ISI-LeT nexus: US Senator

Why are we ignoring ISI-LeT nexus: US Senator

Rediff.com   27 May 2011

Speaking at a hearing of the Foreign Relations Committee, Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said: "There are mixed signals here that are very, very troubling and that the United States needs to be able to have alternatives for carrying out its foreign policy in that region."

Pakistan would never abandon Lashkar: US Expert

Pakistan would never abandon Lashkar: US Expert

Rediff.com   27 May 2011

Christine Fair, an expert on Pakistan-based Jihadi groups, has predicted that even if there is an India-Pakistan rapprochement and a resolution of the Kashmir imbroglio, it will not result in Pakistan reining in these strategic assets that are invaluable to it to wage it proxy wars against India.

Not interested in 2012 VP post: Nikki Haley

Not interested in 2012 VP post: Nikki Haley

Rediff.com   16 May 2011

The Indian American Republican Governor of South Carolina Nimrata 'Nikki' Randhawa Haley has said that she's not interested in being the vice presidential candidate of the Republican presidential nominee in 2012.

Clamour builds up in US Congress to cut Pak aid

Clamour builds up in US Congress to cut Pak aid

Rediff.com   4 May 2011

Soon after Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta provided a classified briefing to the House leadership in the US Congress on the covert mission inside Pakistan that killed Al Qaeda head Osama bin Laden, he was peppered with a volley of questions. He was quizzed about Pakistani duplicity, particularly the Inter-Services Intelligence's perfidy about how it could have not known about bin Laden living right under their nose in Abbottabad.

Will jet deal hamper US-India ties? Experts differ

Will jet deal hamper US-India ties? Experts differ

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2011

While Obama administration officials and representatives of US industry strongly expressed their angst over India's rejection of the American fighter aircraft but did not want to be quoted by name, leading South Asia policy wonks in Washington had no such compunctions in interviews with rediff.com.

'Can't understand why BJP opposed Indo-US N-deal'

'Can't understand why BJP opposed Indo-US N-deal'

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2011

United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O Blake, the Obama administration's point man for the subcontinent, still can't get over the Bharatiya Janata Party's opposition to the US-India civilian nuclear deal, despite the fact that it initiated and championed this accord during the time it was in power.

India's Libya no-vote based on misinformation: US

India's Libya no-vote based on misinformation: US

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2011

The Obama administration has rationalised India's abstention on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 last month, calling for a no-fly zone in strife-torn Libya, as based on part misinformation and part going along with its Brazil, Russia, and China partners.

Defence minister 'suspicious' of private firms?

Defence minister 'suspicious' of private firms?

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2011

Indian Defence Minister A K Antony is 'very suspicious of the private sector', leading Indian business baron Jamshyd N Godrej has said.

'If US gets a raw N-deal it'll be breach of faith'

'If US gets a raw N-deal it'll be breach of faith'

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2011

Former Indian Ambassador to the United States Ronen Sen has asserted that any denial of a level playing field to United States industry and business -- that lobbied feverishly for the US-India civilian nuclear deal -- in the wake of the Nuclear Liability Bill passed by the Indian parliament would be 'worse than a breach of faith'.

'It was a delight working for Secretary Clinton'

'It was a delight working for Secretary Clinton'

Rediff.com   19 Apr 2011

Rahul 'Richard' Verma has become the second high-ranking Indian-American official in the Obama administration to resign and return to the private sector.

US bids farewell to 'gracious' Richard Verma

US bids farewell to 'gracious' Richard Verma

Rediff.com   19 Apr 2011

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accorded Richard Verma a rousing farewell at the State Department's ornate Thomas Jefferson Room. He exited after more than two years of serving as her principal Congressional affairs advisor in his capacity of assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs.

South Asian youth shine in nuke talks

South Asian youth shine in nuke talks

Rediff.com   12 Apr 2011

Two young South Asian Americansan Indian American and a Pakistani Americanwho are rising stars in the United States strategic affairs community, were the featured panelists on the discussion of Nuclear Risk Reduction in South Asia after Mumbai at the 2011 Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference in Washington, DC at the Ronald Reagan Building Convention Center.

'India, Pak must act together to counter terror'

'India, Pak must act together to counter terror'

Rediff.com   12 Apr 2011

Michael Krepon, longtime arms control guru and the godfather of promoting confidence building measures in South Asia, believes the only panacea for nuclear risk reduction in South Asia after Mumbai is cooperation in counter-terrorism between New Delhi and Islamabad, but acknowledges it may be utterly quixotic.

India has evolved on UN: Robert Blake

India has evolved on UN: Robert Blake

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2011

The Republican chairman of the house foreign affairs subcommittee on Asia, on Tuesday questioned the Obama administration's point man on South Asia on India's propensity to vote against the United States at the United Nations, ostensibly taking a swipe at President Obama's endorsement of India's bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

'Post Japan, will India turn to Iran for N-trade?'

'Post Japan, will India turn to Iran for N-trade?'

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2011

One of India's closest friends in the United States Congress, Representative Gary Ackerman, New York Democrat, on Tuesday asked Obama administration's point man for South Asia Robert Blake, as to what would happen if after the nuclear disaster in Japan, India may decide to forego the US-India civilian nuclear deal and rely more heavily on Iran for its energy requirements.

Why US lawmakers think Meera Shankar is a rockstar

Why US lawmakers think Meera Shankar is a rockstar

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2011

American lawmakers, who were attending the Confederation of Indian Industry's launch of a new study on Indian investment in the United States at a Congressional reception on Capitol Hill, showered Ambassador Meera Shankar with a surfeit of kudos, much to her embarrassment.Congressman Joe Crowley, New York Democrat and co-chair of the India Caucus in the US House of Representatives, said, "Ambassador you are a rock star". He also spoke of her receiving "a rock star welcome".

Somers lauds Indian firms' role in US economy

Somers lauds Indian firms' role in US economy

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2011

Somers said, "Number one, the message has to be that now we are living in a global economy and that a knowledge partnership with India is enabling our American companies team with their Indian partners to remain globally competitive."

US Senate whip convenes hearing on Muslims' rights

US Senate whip convenes hearing on Muslims' rights

Rediff.com   28 Mar 2011

Less than a month after the controversial hearings held by Republican Congressman Peter King of New York titled, 'The Extent of Radicalisation of American Muslims and the Community's Response,' an influential US Senator has scheduled a hearing on the 'Civil Rights of American Muslims.'

Trehan, key benefactor behind Maximum India fest

Trehan, key benefactor behind Maximum India fest

Rediff.com   28 Mar 2011

Ranvir Trehan is finally relaxed but still caught up in the euphoria over the Maximum India festival's massive success. For the last two years, the leading technology entrepreneur and philanthropist, helped put together the festival at the Kennedy Center as both a major benefactor.

Why PM believes in resurgence of American power

Why PM believes in resurgence of American power

Rediff.com   18 Mar 2011

Noted strategic affairs expert Ashley Tellis, who was actively involved in negotiating the India-United States civilian nuclear agreement while serving in the George W Bush administration, has said the US is indispensable for the success of all of India's endeavours. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is fully cognisant of this reality and this explains his unshakeable commitment to the India-US strategic partnership, he said.