Lalit K Jha And K J M Varma

Stories by Lalit K Jha And K J M Varma

Air India-Boeing deal to create 1 million jobs in US: Biden to Modi

Air India-Boeing deal to create 1 million jobs in US: Biden to Modi

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2023

The landmark Air India-Boeing deal will create up to 1 million jobs across 44 states in the US and will further deepen bilateral ties, President Joe Biden has told Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Boeing and Air India announced a mega deal on Tuesday under which the Tata Group-owned airline will purchase 190 B737 MAX, 20 B787, and 10 B777X for a total of 220 firm orders valued at $34 billion at list price. The deal will also include customer options for an additional 50 Boeing 737 MAX and 20 Boeing 787, totalling 290 airplanes for a total of $45.9 billion at the list price.

Aware of BBC raid, cannot offer any judgement: US

Aware of BBC raid, cannot offer any judgement: US

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2023

'We support the importance of free press around the world. We continue to highlight the importance of freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief as human rights that contribute to strengthening democracies around the world. It has strengthened this democracy here in this country. It has strengthened India's democracy'

Air India to buy 470 planes from Airbus, Boeing in a landmark aviation deal

Air India to buy 470 planes from Airbus, Boeing in a landmark aviation deal

Rediff.com   14 Feb 2023

Air India will purchase 220 planes from Boeing for $34 billion, with an option to buy 70 more aircraft that could take the total transaction value to $45.9 billion, a deal that US President Joe Biden described as a "historic agreement". While announcing the Boeing-Air India deal on Tuesday, Biden also asserted that together with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he was looking forward to deepen the ties between India and the US. As per an announcement from the White House, Boeing and Air India have reached an agreement under which the airline will purchase 190 B737 MAX, 20 B787, and 10 B777X for a total of 220 firm order valued at $34 billion at list price.

Nikki Haley, the doer who loves to be underestimated

Nikki Haley, the doer who loves to be underestimated

Rediff.com   14 Feb 2023

Dubbed as "Jobs Governor", Haley turned South Carolina's economy around during her tenure as governor and transforming the state into a manufacturing powerhouse. She cut taxes, repealed burdensome regulations, and turned South Carolina into "the Beast of the Southeast". Under her leadership, figures note, the state's unemployment rate hit a 15-year low, and when she left office, South Carolina was at full employment.

Nikki Haley announces US presidential run, will take on Trump

Nikki Haley announces US presidential run, will take on Trump

Rediff.com   14 Feb 2023

Prominent Indian-American politician Nikki Haley launched her presidential campaign on Tuesday, becoming the first Republican to challenge former US President Donald Trump in his 2024 bid for the White House.

Aliens or terrestrial activity? US clarifies on recent takedowns

Aliens or terrestrial activity? US clarifies on recent takedowns

Rediff.com   14 Feb 2023

After the third unidentified object was shot down in the US on Sunday, speculations were made that they could be alien or terrestrial activities.

In fourth such op, US shoots down another airborne object

In fourth such op, US shoots down another airborne object

Rediff.com   13 Feb 2023

The United States on Sunday shot down another unidentified airborne object in its airspace, a day after it brought down a similar 'cylindrical' object over Canada.

US jets strike again, shoot down airborne object over Canada

US jets strike again, shoot down airborne object over Canada

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2023

United States fighter jets on Saturday shot down an unidentified, unmanned high-altitude airborne object over northern Canada that had entered its airspace from Alaska, President Joe Biden said.

US shoots down unidentified high-altitude aerial object in Alaska

US shoots down unidentified high-altitude aerial object in Alaska

Rediff.com   11 Feb 2023

A United States fighter jet Friday shot down an object, the size of a small car, flying with payloads at a height of about 40,000 feet off the northern coast of Alaska on the direction of President Joe Biden, officials said.

US readies plan to facilitate H-1B, L1 visa holders

US readies plan to facilitate H-1B, L1 visa holders

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2023

The US is planning to resume the process of domestic visa revalidation in certain categories, like H-1B and L1 visas, on a pilot basis later this year, a move that will benefit tens of thousands of foreign tech workers, particularly from India. Until 2004, certain categories of non-immigrant visas, particularly the H-1B, could be renewed or stamped inside the US. After that, for the renewal of these visas, in particular, those on H-1B, the foreign tech workers have to go out of the country, mostly to their own country to get the H-1B extension stamped on their passport.

Pentagon: Investing in defence ties with India to...

Pentagon: Investing in defence ties with India to...

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2023

The US is making investments in defence ties with India to uphold a favourable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, a top Pentagon official told lawmakers Thursday indicating that strengthening ties with New Delhi is one of the key factors to address the pacing challenge from China.

US report flags 'downward trend of democratic values' in India

US report flags 'downward trend of democratic values' in India

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2023

As the United States focuses on the Indo-Pacific, in particular the Quad, the Biden administration needs to address India's ties with Russia and its 'downward trend of democratic values and institutions', said a report by the Democratic Party of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.

US mulls action against Chinese entities linked to balloon incursion

US mulls action against Chinese entities linked to balloon incursion

Rediff.com   9 Feb 2023

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official asserted that it is known that China used these balloons for surveillance.

US takes steps to reduce visa backlog in India

US takes steps to reduce visa backlog in India

Rediff.com   9 Feb 2023

India was one of the very few countries where applications for US visas saw a major upswing after coronavirus-related travel restrictions were lifted.

China violated sovereignty of several nations including India: US

China violated sovereignty of several nations including India: US

Rediff.com   9 Feb 2023

China has 'violated the sovereignty' of not just the United States but of countries across five continents, Secretary of State Antony Blinken alleged Wednesday, days after US fighter jets shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon.

Will act to protect US if China threatens our sovereignty: Biden

Will act to protect US if China threatens our sovereignty: Biden

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2023

Amidst growing tension with China over a suspected surveillance balloon, US President Joe Biden has said that the United States will act to protect if Beijing threatens its sovereignty.

Chinese spy balloons have also targeted India: Report

Chinese spy balloons have also targeted India: Report

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2023

China has operated a fleet of spy balloons targeting several countries including India and Japan, a media report has said, days after the United States military shot down a Chinese surveillance craft floating over sensitive installations in the country.

Putin's invasion of Ukraine a test for the ages: Biden

Putin's invasion of Ukraine a test for the ages: Biden

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2023

"I spoke from this chamber one year ago, just days after Vladimir Putin unleashed his brutal war against Ukraine. A murderous assault, evoking images of the death and destruction Europe suffered in World War II," Biden said in his address to a Joint Session of the US Congress on Tuesday night.

China refuses US request for talks, says Pentagon

China refuses US request for talks, says Pentagon

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2023

The request was made soon after the balloon was shot down on Saturday off the coast of South Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean.

US won't return spy balloon debris to China; Beijing says...

US won't return spy balloon debris to China; Beijing says...

Rediff.com   7 Feb 2023

The US military has intensified its efforts to collect the remnants of the high-altitude surveillance balloon from China that floated over the United States over several days last week from Montana to South Carolina.