Aziz Haniffa In Washington, DC

Stories by Aziz Haniffa In Washington, DC

Icing on the cake of a remarkable career: Thomas Kailath

Icing on the cake of a remarkable career: Thomas Kailath

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2014

Professor Thomas Kailath was tickled that a phrase he had used -- that scientists are 'intrinsically hopeful' -- and which President Barack Obama had used thrice, had captured the people's imagination.

Obama felicitates Indian American for scientific achievement

Obama felicitates Indian American for scientific achievement

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2014

Not only did Barack Obama mention and quote Thomas Kailath in his remarks before presenting the Stanford University professor emeritus of engineering with the National Medal of Science, the President also cited Kailath as a shining example of the brilliant talent of immigrants who make invaluable contributions to the United States and the world.

When the next US defence secretary spoke to Rediff.com

When the next US defence secretary spoke to Rediff.com

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2014

'We have a common way of looking at the world, a common way of thinking, and a common set of values that predispose us to be partners. And our interests overlap greatly,' Dr Ashton B Carter, America's next defence secretary, told Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com in an exclusive interview.

'An exciting time in the US-India relationship'

'An exciting time in the US-India relationship'

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2014

'President Obama will make a historic visit to India in January, becoming the first US head of State to attend India's Republic Day and the only sitting US president to visit India twice.' 'There's little doubt the relationship has been re-energised, with renewed enthusiasm to take our partnership to the next level.'

US lawmakers celebrate Diwali at Capitol Hill

US lawmakers celebrate Diwali at Capitol Hill

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2014

The spell that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast over US lawmakers nearly two months during his visit to the United States has still not worn off, as was manifest by the gushing nostalgia of the Modi magic by both Democratic and Republican party representatives at the Congressional Diwali celebration on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

Ami Bera, only Indian-American in US Congress, wins tight race

Ami Bera, only Indian-American in US Congress, wins tight race

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2014

The Indian-American Democrat edged out his competition Republic Doug Ose by a narrow margin of 1,432 votes to represent California's 7th Congressional District, reports Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa.

6% rise in number of Indian students in the US this year

6% rise in number of Indian students in the US this year

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2014

With fresh enrollments crossing 100,000 mark, the total number of Indian students studying in the US reported a sharp increase this year.

Robin Raphel, the American Indian diplomats hated

Robin Raphel, the American Indian diplomats hated

Rediff.com   9 Nov 2014

On Thursday, November 6, the Washington Post newspaper reported that controversial American diplomat, Ambassador Robin Raphel, had her office and home searched by the FBI. This most unusual development likely raised much cheer at India's ministry of external affairs, in whose flesh Raphel had been a thorn through much of her tenure in the first Bill Clinton administration in the early and mid-1990s by her anti-India and pro-Pakistan stand. Seventeen years ago, as she was about to step down as Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Raphel granted an exclusive interview to Aziz Haniffa and India Abroad, the leading Indian-American weekly newspaper, which is now owned by Rediff.com The July 1997 interview, which provoked a raging controversy in both capitals, Washington, DC and New Delhi, is reproduced here...

Indian American Congressman Ami Bera will fight till last vote is counted

Indian American Congressman Ami Bera will fight till last vote is counted

Rediff.com   7 Nov 2014

Indian American Congressman Amerish 'Ami' Bera has no plans to throw in the towel just yet in his re-election election bid from California's 7th Congressional District where he narrowly trails his Republican opponent Doug Ose.

US midterm polls: The desis who disappointed

US midterm polls: The desis who disappointed

Rediff.com   6 Nov 2014

Iraq war veteran and Democrat Manan Trivedi tried his luck for the third time, but was trounced by Republican Ryan Costello, the Chester county commissioner for Pennsylvania's open seat in District 6

US polls: Nikki Haley, Tulsi Gabbard re-elected

US polls: Nikki Haley, Tulsi Gabbard re-elected

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2014

Hindu-American Congresswon Tulsi Gabbard coasts to a rollicking re-election victory in in Hawaii's 2nd District

Preet Bharara wants legal immunity for Modi in US

Preet Bharara wants legal immunity for Modi in US

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2014

The office of the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara on Sunday, October 19, in papers filed with the US District Court in Manhattan strongly argued in favour of immunity for Prime Mimister Narendra Modi in a pending lawsuit against Modi that has been brought by an organisation based in the United States.

Arvind Subramanian: 'India doesn't have this ability to project power like China'

Arvind Subramanian: 'India doesn't have this ability to project power like China'

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2014

Arvind Subramanian talks about US and China's power play and where India figures in these dynamics.

In Vanita, US trusts: Desi picked as acting attorney general

In Vanita, US trusts: Desi picked as acting attorney general

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2014

'Vanita Gupta is the greatest civil rights lawyer of her generation' Praise comes flying in from all corners Vanita Gupta is appointed acting US Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. The 39-year-old is known for her work in criminal justice reforms, legalising marijuana and racial justice, reports Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com.

'4 men, a dog and a tent are no military threat'

'4 men, a dog and a tent are no military threat'

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2014

'We don't want confrontation; we are trying to build a cooperative relationship in which both sides have stakes in producing an improving climate of relations and responsible behaviour.' What does Shiv Shankar Menon, one of India's most brilliant diplomats and the former National Security Advisor, think of the Modi visit to the US, the Chinese stand-off in Ladakh and the situation on the LoC?

NaMo has warm water, Barack has red wine

NaMo has warm water, Barack has red wine

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2014

Modi presented Obama with a richly silk-covered special edition of Mahatma Gandhi's interpretation of the Bhagvad Gita, and recordings of Dr Martin Luther King's speech when he visited India in 1959 and also a specially framed photograph of Dr King when he visited Rajghat. Modi had scrupulously researched and selected these gifts for Obama and more gifts would be presented on Tuesday during their summit for both the President and the First Family.

Modi's wit keeps celebs, lawmakers hungry for more

Modi's wit keeps celebs, lawmakers hungry for more

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2014

'This speech is going to be more of a punishment. I spoke too much this afternoon' A tireless Prime Minister Narendra Modi left over 700 notable luminaries in peals of laughter with his quick wit and sense of humour during a dinner and reception hosted by Indian Ambassador Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the Taj-owned, The Pierre Hotel. In the presence of the who's who of desi Americans and US lawmakers, Modi once again thanked the Indian-Americans for their contributions and discussed his plans of developing India and the ties he hopes to nurture with America. Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com presents a sneak-peak into the festive, grand dinner.

'Obama won't promise Modi $100 billion'

'Obama won't promise Modi $100 billion'

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2014

'India is going to maintain its ties to China, India is going to develop a strong relationship with the United States. It means that India is going to have the flexibility to pick and choose its friends.' 'That's traditional Indian foreign policy, and it's smart.' Former US ambassador to India Frank Wisner, one of America's sharpest minds on South Asia, tells Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com what Washington can expect from Narendra Modi's visit.

90 minutes of promises to 'make India the India of your dreams'

90 minutes of promises to 'make India the India of your dreams'

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2014

Desis at Madison Square Garden welcomed Narendra Modi with the kind of gusto and reverence unprecedented for any Indian leader visiting the United States.

New York court summons on Modi has no effect: White House

New York court summons on Modi has no effect: White House

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2014

As a sitting head of government Narendra Modi enjoy immunity from suits in American courts and also enjoy personal inviolability.