Betwa Sharma In Washington

Stories by Betwa Sharma In Washington

UNSC undermining General Assembly: India

UNSC undermining General Assembly: India

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2010

India has said that the United Nations Security Council was persistently 'encroaching' and 'undermining' the work of the General Assembly as it asked for it's revitalisation as the representative organ of the world body.

Friendly fire killed 4 UN staffers in Kabul?

Friendly fire killed 4 UN staffers in Kabul?

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2010

Three of them are believed to have died in "friendly fire" by Afghan security forces. Another staffer was burnt in a fire that was caused by exploding grenades, the Board of Inquiry revealed.

NYC plot hatched by Al-Qaeda in Pakistan

NYC plot hatched by Al-Qaeda in Pakistan

Rediff.com   25 Apr 2010

Assistant United States attorney, Jeffery H Knox, speaking in Federal District Court in Brooklyn on Friday, revealed that two senior Al-Qaeda leaders were instrumental in developing this plan.

US working on new conventional weapons

US working on new conventional weapons

Rediff.com   25 Apr 2010

President Barack Obama, in the coming years, will have to decide whether to deploy such weapons cutting the US reliance on nuclear weapons, the New York Times said in its report.

More cell phones in India than toilets: UN report

More cell phones in India than toilets: UN report

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2010

"It is a tragic irony to think that in India, a country now wealthy enough that roughly half of the people own phones, about half cannot afford the basic necessity and dignity of a toilet," said Zafar Adeel, director of United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

Highway projects: Nath for faster green clearances

Highway projects: Nath for faster green clearances

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2010

Kamal Nath is in New York attending several meetings, including McGraw-Hill Construction, which is one of the largest construction industry events.

US warns India, Pak over Iran gas pipeline

US warns India, Pak over Iran gas pipeline

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2010

With India still keen to join an ambitious gas pipeline project involving Iran and Pakistan, the United States has warned all countries against engaging in transactions with Tehran at a time when sensitive talks are on to consider additional sanctions on it over its nuclear issue.

It is a 'suffering India' for the majority:Yechury

It is a 'suffering India' for the majority:Yechury

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2010

Speaking on Neo-Liberalism, Secularism, and the Future of the Left in India, Yechury stressed that the "two Indias" could not survive together.

Bhutto commission will not reopen inquiry

Bhutto commission will not reopen inquiry

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2010

Following the decision that the Independent Commission of Inquiry will delay disclosing its findings, the United Nations said on Wednesday that the Commission will not reopen its investigations into the death of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in light of Islamabad's assertions that two heads of state have additional information on the matter.

Poverty kills more people than war in Afghanistan

Poverty kills more people than war in Afghanistan

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2010

The top UN human rights official in the country stressed that the root cause of poverty in Afghanistan was human rights violation that took the shape of patronage, corruption, impunity and opting for short-term solutions over long-term developmental goals.

UN delays Bhutto assassination report's release

UN delays Bhutto assassination report's release

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2010

The United Nations on Tuesday delayed till April 15 the release of its probe panel's report on the assassination of former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto following a request from Islamabad.

Sarkozy favours a permanent UNSC seat for India

Sarkozy favours a permanent UNSC seat for India

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2010

French President Nicholas Sarkozy made a strong pitch for India's inclusion as a permanent member of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, which he said needs to be expanded to make it more inclusive."Did you know that India... in 30 years time... the world's most populous nation, doesn't have a permanent seat on the Security Council?" said the French president, hosted by Columbia University as part of the World Leaders Forum.

'Security Council seat top priority for India'

'Security Council seat top priority for India'

Rediff.com   29 Mar 2010

Securing a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council is India's top priority for the year and it seems "eminently doable" with India putting a concerted effort, Indian envoy to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri has said.

Pak to raise India's presence in Afghan issue?

Pak to raise India's presence in Afghan issue?

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2010

Pakistan is expected to object to 'India's growing role in Afghanistan' in its key strategic dialogue with the United States this week as Islamabad seeks to torpedo New Delhi's offer to train Afghan forces with a similar offer of their own.

India won't scale down operations in Afghan: Rao

India won't scale down operations in Afghan: Rao

Rediff.com   18 Mar 2010

Underlining the importance of stability in Afghanistan for regional security, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao on Thursday said Washington 'fully recognises' India's role in the war-torn country and reiterated that New Delhi will not be 'scaling down' its operations there following the recent attacks targeting Indians. "The United States fully recognises that India has legitimate interests in Afghanistan. It appreciates the development work we do there," said Rao.

No 'double track' on Climate Change: UN

No 'double track' on Climate Change: UN

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2010

Underlining that the UN will lead the climate change negotiations, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has rejected the possibility of a "double track" approach being adopted on Climate Change where simultaneous talks between the big economies run in parallel with the United Nations negotiations.

Millenium goals can be met by 2015: Ban Ki-moon

Millenium goals can be met by 2015: Ban Ki-moon

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2010

In September 2000, world leaders had agreed to tackle eight developmental challenges including poverty, employment, education and health.

Top scientists to review UN's climate panel

Top scientists to review UN's climate panel

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2010

The United Nations has launched an independent review of the functioning of its top climate change body IPCC, which has come under much criticism in the recent months for some errors in its reports.

India, China back Copenhagen Accord

India, China back Copenhagen Accord

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2010

India and China on Wednesday formally backed the Climate Change Accord hammered out in Copenhagen last year calling for voluntary cut in greenhouse gas emissions.

UN to press Sri Lanka for accountability

UN to press Sri Lanka for accountability

Rediff.com   9 Mar 2010

"I made clear to President (Mahinda) Rajapaksa that I intend to move forward on a Group of Experts which will advise me on setting the broad parameters and standards on the way ahead on establishing accountability concerning Sri Lanka," Ban told media-persons I New York, referring to a conversation he had with Sri Lankan President on Thursday.