Aziz Haniffa

Stories by Aziz Haniffa

We don't give enough aid to Pak: US special envoy

We don't give enough aid to Pak: US special envoy

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2009

The United States' mounting pressure on Pakistan -- to go after the Afghan Taliban inside Balochistan -- could affect the cohesion of the Pakistan army and lead to the destabilisation of the government, according to US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke.Earlier, Holbrooke said, "We will not be able to succeed in Afghanistan unless our Pakistan policy is equally successful".

I am not working on Kashmir, clarifies Holbrooke

I am not working on Kashmir, clarifies Holbrooke

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2009

"Read my lips," said Richard Holbrooke, special US representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, "I am not working on that problem," when asked by a Pakistani journalist if the Obama administration was 'serious to appoint any adviser to resolve this issue,' since as the latter contended, "We all know that deep down, there is no solution of Afghanistan and the South Asia problem, without resolving the Kashmir issue that is controlled by Indian government."

'Obama behind speedy indictment of Headley'

'Obama behind speedy indictment of Headley'

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2009

Senior US administration sources and law enforcement officials have told rediff.com that it was President Barack Obama's "personal interest" in the David Coleman Headley case that led to the speedy indictment of the Chicago-based Pakistan American and also the dispatching of a team to New Delhi to brief India sleuths.

For the Pentagon, the Pak Army can do no wrong

For the Pentagon, the Pak Army can do no wrong

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2009

Let's face it. When it comes to the Pentagon, the Pakistani military can do no wrong. Even if it's going after only the Pakistani Taliban and not the Afghan Taliban, which it apparently continues to promote for strategic depth against India and as a hedge in case the US decides to cut and run.

Pak govt will not be toppled by the army: Pentagon

Pak govt will not be toppled by the army: Pentagon

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2009

The Pentagon does not believe that the shaky civilian government of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will be deposed by a military coup anytime soon.United States' Central Command Commander General David Petraeus assured the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday that "as one who's been in Pakistan, and had a lot of conversations with military leaders as well as the civilian leadership, I actually don't think that the current challenges imperil civilian rule,".

'Delhi airport to be ready before C'wealth Games'

'Delhi airport to be ready before C'wealth Games'

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2009

Soon after his keynote address at the US-India Aviation Partnership Summit at the Washington Convention Center in Washington DC, Nambiar told rediff.com, although India's airlines were bleeding currently, they would bounce back because of domestic and international travel demands.

USTDA bullish on India's aviation sector

USTDA bullish on India's aviation sector

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2009

The US Trade and Development Agency is bullish on the exponential growth of the aviation sector in India, despite the global economic downturn.

India-US: A totally new ball-game

India-US: A totally new ball-game

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2009

We are solid, and what we are now looking for is a steady explosion of economic cooperation between India and the US, Tarun Das tells rediff.com

'Singh-Obama summit was a bit disappointing'

'Singh-Obama summit was a bit disappointing'

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2009

American Congressman Ed Royce, a ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the senior-most minority member on the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Nonproliferation, who was part of the Congressional leadership that met with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to Washington, is disappointed that the United States-India civilian nuclear deal wasn't completed to make it the signature highlight of the Obama-Singh summit.

USAID nominee says its mission is his passion

USAID nominee says its mission is his passion

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2009

Dr Rajiv Shah, who has been nominated by President Barack Obama to head the US Agency for International Development -- the country's top non-military foreign assistance programme -- has told US lawmakers that "the mission of USAID is my passion," and that "it is with enthusiasm and humility" that he seeks confirmation to lead the agency first established by President John F Kennedy in 1961

Afghanistan is no Vietnam, says  Obama

Afghanistan is no Vietnam, says Obama

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2009

In a prime-time address from the military academy at West Point in New York, United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday unveiled his revised strategy for Afghanistan--which included sending an additional 30,000 troops to that war-ravaged country -- but was as much a new policy directive for Pakistan

'Indo-US trade bonds can fortify strategic ties'

'Indo-US trade bonds can fortify strategic ties'

Rediff.com   30 Nov 2009

An interview with former US assistant secretary of commerce Raymond E Vickery speaks on his book The Eagle And The Elephant: Strategic Aspects Of Us-India Economic Engagement.

'Chemistry between Obama, Singh was excellent'

'Chemistry between Obama, Singh was excellent'

Rediff.com   30 Nov 2009

South Asia experts have called the recent Obama-Singh meet a success, going by the positive signals given by both sides in all major areas of cooperation, both bilateral and multilateral.

India will back UNSC sanctions against Iran: PM

India will back UNSC sanctions against Iran: PM

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2009

India will back any United Nations Security Council sanctions against Iran over the question of its nuclear weapons programme, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the Council on Foreign Relations last week.He hoped, however, that President Barack Obama's ongoing outreach programme to Teheran would result in a viable compromise, and obviate the need for such harsh action.

Power, politics dazzle Obama's state dinner

Power, politics dazzle Obama's state dinner

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2009

Scores of Indian American politicians, administration officials, media personalities and activists were among the 320 guests at the first state dinner of the Barack Obama presidency in honour of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Mrs Gurcharan Kaur

Those behind 26/11 must be punished: Obama

Those behind 26/11 must be punished: Obama

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2009

The two leaders agreed that resolute and credible steps must be taken to eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries that provide shelter to terrorists and their activities. These undermine security and stability in the region and around the world.

US won't step in to resolve Indo-Pak issues: Obama

US won't step in to resolve Indo-Pak issues: Obama

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2009

Surprisingly though, there was no word on China in their public statements, including at the press conference, on Tuesday.

India, US to focus on counter-terror measures

India, US to focus on counter-terror measures

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2009

India and the United States Tuesday signed six memoranda of understanding, including one on advancing global security and US-India Counterterrorism Cooperation Initiative.

India is indispensable for US: Obama

India is indispensable for US: Obama

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2009

'As leading economies, the United States and India can strengthen the global economic recovery, promote trade that creates jobs for both our people, and pursue growth that is balanced and sustained,' Obama said, while making opening remarks following the welcome ceremony for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur at the East Room of the White House.

Drizzle fizzles out Indian Americans' party

Drizzle fizzles out Indian Americans' party

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2009

A damp and dreary morning in Washington DC put paid to the elaborate pomp and circumstance that was to mark the arrival of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur Tuesday to the White House during the former's first state visit under the Obama Presidency.