Aziz Haniffa In In Washington, DC

Stories by Aziz Haniffa In In Washington, DC

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.

Raghuram Rajan: 'We Indians treat our economy and cricketers alike'

Raghuram Rajan: 'We Indians treat our economy and cricketers alike'

Rediff.com   11 Oct 2013

'We are by no means anywhere nearing having external financing difficulties or internal financing difficulties. The government's credit is solid, there is absolutely no difficulty for the government in borrowing and it is borrowing effectively from the public today in a fairly free public debt market,' the RBI governor tells a meeting in Washington, DC

Obama nominates Indian American to key post at State Department

Obama nominates Indian American to key post at State Department

Rediff.com   11 Sep 2013

Puneet Talwar, one of the most respected Middle East policy specialists in administration and Congressional circles, has been nominated by United States President Barack Obama to a senior State Department position.

India-US ties: 'Fastest transforming and most important relationships for us today'

India-US ties: 'Fastest transforming and most important relationships for us today'

Rediff.com   21 Aug 2013

National Shiv Shankar Menon asserts that all is well in the India-US relationship. Aziz Haniffa reports from Washington, DC.

When DRDO's party in the US almost went for a toss

When DRDO's party in the US almost went for a toss

Rediff.com   9 Aug 2013

This visa issue had gotten so embarrassing that former Defence Secretary William Cohen, now a member of the US-India Business Council's board of directors, who was presiding along with Ambassador Nirupama Rao at the launch, had to prevail upon Secretary of State John F Kerry and get the visas okayed.

Be 'flexible' on Kabul, expert tells India

Be 'flexible' on Kabul, expert tells India

Rediff.com   30 Jul 2013

India should not have a large bilateral military training program in Afghanistan in the future because that would predictably exacerbate tensions, says Director of research, Brookings Institution Michael O'Hanlon.

Rajnath in US: Did not bring up Modi visa issue

Rajnath in US: Did not bring up Modi visa issue

Rediff.com   25 Jul 2013

BJP president Rajnath Singh has said that he did not bring up the Modi visa ban issue even once during his deliberations in Washington, DC, also dismissing the controversy over letter to President Barack Obama by Indian parliamentarians, reports Aziz Haniffa.

'India's foreign policy will remain unchanged in a BJP govt'

'India's foreign policy will remain unchanged in a BJP govt'

Rediff.com   25 Jul 2013

BJP president Rajnath Singh has said that if the party comes to power in the next general election, its foreign policy wouldn't be much different from that of the Congress government. Aziz Haniffa in Washington

India crucial for stable Afghanistan: Senior US lawmakers

India crucial for stable Afghanistan: Senior US lawmakers

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2013

Senior United States lawmakers told a Capitol Hill conference that India was crucial for stability in Afghanistan and the region as US and North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces prepare to withdraw from that war ravaged country.

The Afghan conflict has nothing to do with India: Rajnath

The Afghan conflict has nothing to do with India: Rajnath

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2013

Bharatiya Janata Party President Rajnath Singh, while keynoting a Capitol Hill conference on the topic of India, Afghanistan and Regional Security, has said that as long as Pakistan offers safe havens to the Taliban and terrorist groups within its territory, the United States-led war on terrorism would be a failure.

Anti-Modi forces in US unite as Rajnath lobbies for visa

Anti-Modi forces in US unite as Rajnath lobbies for visa

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2013

The letter, to maintain the current policy of denying Narendra Modi a visa to the United States, was released just as the BJP president arrived in Washington DC for a round of meetings with US lawmakers. Aziz Haniffa reports

US hails India's Look East policy

US hails India's Look East policy

Rediff.com   19 Jul 2013

Biden said, "One of the reasons why President Obama called our relations with India, quote, "a defining partnership of the century ahead" is that India is increasingly looking east as a force for security and growth in Southeast Asia and beyond."

Obama nominates Indian American woman for key post

Obama nominates Indian American woman for key post

Rediff.com   19 Jul 2013

United States President Barack Obama has nominated Nisha Desai Biswal as the new assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs.

'Next front in India-Pak confrontation will be Afghanistan'

'Next front in India-Pak confrontation will be Afghanistan'

Rediff.com   18 Jul 2013

The two countries that will be most affected by the internal developments in Pakistan are India and the United States, says Bob Blackwill. Aziz Haniffa reports