Kumar Rakesh And Lalit K Jha

Stories by Kumar Rakesh And Lalit K Jha

US sanctions Russia for 'beginning' invasion of Ukraine

US sanctions Russia for 'beginning' invasion of Ukraine

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2022

Biden said the US will continue to escalate sanctions if Russia escalates.

Biden blocks investments in Ukraine rebel regions, plans new sanctions

Biden blocks investments in Ukraine rebel regions, plans new sanctions

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2022

The executive order also provides authority to impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine.

Biden ready to meet Putin to prevent war in Ukraine

Biden ready to meet Putin to prevent war in Ukraine

Rediff.com   20 Feb 2022

President Joe Biden is prepared to engage with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in any format at any place and time to prevent a war, top United States diplomat said on Sunday as he asserted that everything leading up to the actual invasion of Ukraine appears to be taking place.

US hopes for Indian support if Russia invades Ukraine

US hopes for Indian support if Russia invades Ukraine

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2022

'We know that our Indian partners are committed to that rules-based international order. There are any number of tenets in that order. One of them is that borders cannot be redrawn by force'

Russian invasion of Ukraine can happen anytime now: US

Russian invasion of Ukraine can happen anytime now: US

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2022

The attack would be preceded by a fabricated pretext that the Russians use as an excuse to launch an invasion.

Biden warns of 'decisive response' if Russia attacks Ukraine

Biden warns of 'decisive response' if Russia attacks Ukraine

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2022

The US is ready to respond "decisively" to a Russian attack on Ukraine which is still very much a possibility, President Joe Biden has said, urging Moscow to step back from the brink of war.

US issues another warning to Russia over Ukraine

US issues another warning to Russia over Ukraine

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2022

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday that the United States is actively working to reach a diplomatic solution to de-escalate the crisis.

India driving force of Quad, says White House

India driving force of Quad, says White House

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2022

India is a driving force of the Quad and an engine for regional growth, said the White House, days after foreign ministers of the countries, which are part of the grouping, met in Melbourne.

'Shameful': US after China makes Galwan soldier as Olympics torchbearer

'Shameful': US after China makes Galwan soldier as Olympics torchbearer

Rediff.com   4 Feb 2022

The United States has asserted that it stands with India against Chinese aggression as several lawmakers slammed China for choosing a People's Liberation Army soldier.

US trade body hails Budget, says it's fiscally prudent

US trade body hails Budget, says it's fiscally prudent

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2022

In the midst of third wave of COVID-19, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has come up with an impactful Budget which is balanced, fiscally prudent and growth-oriented, the USA India Chamber of Commerce has said. President of the Boston-based USA India Chamber of Commerce (USAIC) Karun Rishi, however, said it is a matter of concern that the budget lacks tangible measures to increase revenue generation. "Opting to keep the fiscal deficit at 6.9 per cent and increase capital expenditure by 35 per cent is a masterstroke. "The annual budget estimates the effective capital expenditure of Rs 10.68 lakh crore in 2022-23, making up about 4.1 per cent of the GDP," he said. "A phenomenal increase in the government's capital expenditure is likely to facilitate the expenditures on infrastructure and create jobs.

India's S-400 deal 'shines spotlight on Russia's destabilising role': US

India's S-400 deal 'shines spotlight on Russia's destabilising role': US

Rediff.com   28 Jan 2022

The US continues to have its concerns over India purchasing the multi-billion missile defense system from Russia.

IMF cuts India's FY22 growth forecast to 9%

IMF cuts India's FY22 growth forecast to 9%

Rediff.com   26 Jan 2022

The IMF on Tuesday cut India's economic growth forecast by 0.5 percentage points to 9 per cent for the current fiscal year, with its chief economist Gita Gopinath saying that the slight downgrade is mainly due to the impact of the spread of the Omicron variant. "If you look at the 2021-22 fiscal year, we have a slight downgrade of -0.5 percentage points and for the next fiscal year 2022-23 we have a slight upgrade of 0.5 percentage points. So, growth for the previous fiscal year is now nine per cent and for this year now is at nine per cent. We moved it up slightly," Gopinath told reporters during a news conference in Washington. In its latest update of World Economic Outlook on Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund has cut India's economic growth forecast to 9 per cent for the current fiscal year ending March 31, joining a host of agencies which have downgraded their projections on concerns over the impact of the spread of Omicron on business activity and mobility.

US will balance geostrategic concerns in India's S-400 deal: Biden nominee

US will balance geostrategic concerns in India's S-400 deal: Biden nominee

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2022

The United States has made it clear to India that it is "discouraging" it from proceeding with its acquisition of S-400 missile defence systems from Russia but Washington will have to weigh "important geostrategic considerations" while taking a decision on growing calls for a presidential CAATSA waiver to New Delhi, President Joe Biden's nominee for Coordinator for Sanctions Policy has told lawmakers.

US worried over China bullying India, other neighbours: White House

US worried over China bullying India, other neighbours: White House

Rediff.com   11 Jan 2022

The remarks of White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki came ahead of the 14th round of military-level talks between India and China on the 20-month row in eastern Ladakh.

2022 poll outcome to decide BJP's fate on third term at Centre

2022 poll outcome to decide BJP's fate on third term at Centre

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2021

As the new year arrives, the Bharatiya Janata Party's finds itself on the cusp of the most consequential cycle of state polls since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as the results will tell if the road ahead in its bid for a third straight term at the Centre is getting any bumpier or a strong opposition challenge remains elusive.

Gita Gopinath to take No 2 role at IMF as First Deputy Managing Director

Gita Gopinath to take No 2 role at IMF as First Deputy Managing Director

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2021

Gita Gopinath, the IMF's Indian-American chief economist has been promoted as its First Deputy Managing Director recognising her exceptional intellectual leadership in helping the global economy and the Fund to navigate the "twists and turns" of the "worst economic crisis of our lives". Gopinath would replace Geoffrey Okamoto who plans to leave the International Monetary Fund early next year, Kristalina Georgieva, IMF's managing director announced on Thursday. Gopinath, who was scheduled to return to her academic position at Harvard University in January 2022, has decided to stay, she said. Gopinath, 49, has served as the first female chief economist of the Washington-based global lender for three years.

Harvard University adds caste as protected category for student workers

Harvard University adds caste as protected category for student workers

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2021

The historic addition marks Harvard as the first Ivy League school to have caste equity protection in its non-discrimination clause for unionised student workers.

Blinken calls for speedy trial of perpetrators 26/11 attacks

Blinken calls for speedy trial of perpetrators 26/11 attacks

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2021

'Thirteen years have passed since the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai. On today's anniversary, we remember the victims, including six Americans, and the resiliency of Mumbaikars. It is long overdue for the perpetrators to face justice,' Blinken said in a tweet on Friday.

Suspense remains over CAATSA waiver to India on S400 purchase

Suspense remains over CAATSA waiver to India on S400 purchase

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2021

The United States has not made a determination yet on any potential Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) waiver to India with regard to its purchase of S-400 missile defence system from Russia, the Biden Administration said Tuesday.

US makes it easier for H-1B spouses to take up employment

US makes it easier for H-1B spouses to take up employment

Rediff.com   12 Nov 2021

In yet another immigration-friendly move that would benefit thousands of Indian-American women, the Biden administration has agreed to provide automatic work authorisation permits to the spouses of H-1B visa holders, most of whom are Indian IT professionals.