Aziz Haniffa In Washington,DC

Stories by Aziz Haniffa In Washington,DC

'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.

'Two different Indias are being born'

'Two different Indias are being born'

Rediff.com   18 Mar 2011

'India is about 50 years behind China in the quest to eliminate illiteracy. At this point of time, about a third of India's working age population has never been to school and on current trajectories, even 20 years from now, about almost a fifth of India's working age population will not ever have had any formal education -- not even one year of schooling.'

Instable Pakistan a key challenge for US: McCain

Instable Pakistan a key challenge for US: McCain

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2011

Senator John McCain, the ranking Republican on the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, has warned that despite all of America's military operations in Afghanistan, and the claim by Pentagon officials that Al Qaeda and the Taliban is on the run, a failing and instable Pakistan with terrorist safe havens within its borders, remain a key challenge.

'US aid to Pak may boost its safe terror havens'

'US aid to Pak may boost its safe terror havens'

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2011

In a scathing indictment of Pakistan for continuing to host terrorist safe havens within its borders, United States Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, took strong issue with senior Pentagon officials.

Top honour for 2 Indian American scientists

Top honour for 2 Indian American scientists

Rediff.com   1 Mar 2011

Two Indian American scientists -- Dr Romesh C Batra and Dr Kodi S Ravichandran -- were among the four Outstanding Scientists of 2011 honoured with the Governor's Award for Science Innovation by Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell.

Why India should decide on a fighter plane soon

Why India should decide on a fighter plane soon

Rediff.com   20 Feb 2011

A report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace has reinforced the Obama administration's campaign to lobby the Indian government to award the $11 billion contract for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft to US manufacturers.

US has assured fair solution to TVU students: Rao

US has assured fair solution to TVU students: Rao

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2011

The United States has assured India of providing 'fair solution' to Indian students affected by the shut down of California-based Tri Valley University, which has been accused of a massive visa fraud.

Indian-born in US commerce council

Indian-born in US commerce council

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2011

US Commerce Secretary has appointed Purnima Voria to a new National Advisory Council

Akula leads Indo-American entrepreneur group

Akula leads Indo-American entrepreneur group

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2011

Satya M Akula, co-founder and chief operating officer, Amyx, Inc and partner, New Angel Capital LLC, has taken over as president of The Indus Entrepreneurs, DC-chapter - the most influential Indian-American entrepreneur organisation in the country - for 2011.

Sazawal on civil nuclear trade advisory board

Sazawal on civil nuclear trade advisory board

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2011

Dr Vijay Sazawal, director, government programs, United States Enrichment Corporation, Inc, a leading supplier of enriched uranium fuel for commercial nuclear power plants worldwide, has been appointed by Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke to serve on the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee for two years.

Meet US commerce secretary's Indian 'hand'

Meet US commerce secretary's Indian 'hand'

Rediff.com   1 Feb 2011

Parita Shah, one of United States Commerce Secretary Gary Locke's closest advisers, is among the several second-generation Indian Americans serving in the Obama administration.

Obama's friend Lata appointed to top federal job

Obama's friend Lata appointed to top federal job

Rediff.com   26 Jan 2011

The GSA is the federal government's real estate and procurement manager, and as Regional Administrator, Kalayil will be responsible for an inventory of 128 federal buildings, 986 leased locations and 11 US land ports of entry on the Canadian border.

US moves to facilitate high tech trade with India

US moves to facilitate high tech trade with India

Rediff.com   25 Jan 2011

On the eve of US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke's trip to India next week as the head of a high-tech trade mission of 23 American companies, including Fortune 500 heavyweights and also several small and medium enterprises, the Department of Commerce has moved expeditiously to implement the export control initiatives to facilitate high tech trade with India.