M Zulqernain And Lalit K Jha

Stories by M Zulqernain And Lalit K Jha

Grace period for retrenched H1-B workers to be extended to 180 days

Grace period for retrenched H1-B workers to be extended to 180 days

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2023

A presidential advisory sub-committee has recommended the federal government to extend the grace period for H1-B workers, who have lost their jobs, from the existing 60 days to 180 days so that the workers have enough opportunities to find a new job or other alternatives. "The immigration subcommittee recommends the Department of Homeland Security and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to extend the grace period for H1-B workers, who have lost their jobs, from 60 days to 180 days," Ajay Jain Bhutoria, member of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, said on Tuesday. In his presentation, Bhutoria highlighted the significant challenges faced by H1-B workers laid off from their jobs.

Arunachal integral part of India, not China's: US

Arunachal integral part of India, not China's: US

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2023

The resolution also pushes back against People's Republic of China (PRC) claims that Arunachal Pradesh is PRC territory, which is a part of the PRC's increasingly aggressive and expansionist policies.

Imran Khan supporters clash with police, foil his arrest

Imran Khan supporters clash with police, foil his arrest

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2023

Scores of PTI workers and policemen suffered injuries in the violent clashes. So far, no casualty has been reported.

Biden appoints 2 Indian-Americans to advisory panel for trade policy

Biden appoints 2 Indian-Americans to advisory panel for trade policy

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2023

On Friday, Biden announced his intent to appoint 14 people to the advisory committee, which provides overall policy advice to the United States trade representative on matters of development, implementation, and administration of the US trade policy.

Eric Garcetti moves a step closer to becoming US ambassador to India

Eric Garcetti moves a step closer to becoming US ambassador to India

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2023

Garcetti's nomination is pending before the US Congress since July 2021, when he was nominated for the prestigious diplomatic posting by President Joe Biden.

We support dialogue, but...: US on India-Pak relations

We support dialogue, but...: US on India-Pak relations

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2023

The United States supports a constructive dialogue and meaningful conversation between India and Pakistan, the Biden administration said Thursday reiterating that it's for New Delhi and Islamabad to decide on the nature of that dialogue.

Biden proposes over $25 bn spend in Indo-Pacific to out-compete China

Biden proposes over $25 bn spend in Indo-Pacific to out-compete China

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2023

This includes over $15 billion of proposed investment in the infrastructure sector in the Indo-Pacific and $9 billion for shoring up American defence in the region.

Conflict between India, Pak, China likely: US intel

Conflict between India, Pak, China likely: US intel

Rediff.com   9 Mar 2023

It also noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is more likely than in the past to respond with military force to Pakistani provocations.

Holi celebration stopped in Pak varsity, 15 injured

Holi celebration stopped in Pak varsity, 15 injured

Rediff.com   7 Mar 2023

At least 15 students from Pakistan's minority Hindu community were injured on Monday after members of a radical Islamic student organisation allegedly stopped them from celebrating Holi at the Punjab University premises in Lahore.

Imran Khan dodges arrest, says will appear before court on Mar 7

Imran Khan dodges arrest, says will appear before court on Mar 7

Rediff.com   5 Mar 2023

The Lahore police closed the main road leading to the Zaman Park residence of Khan by placing containers. Riot police and water cannons are currently present near Khan's residence.

India led G20 very well to date, but...: US

India led G20 very well to date, but...: US

Rediff.com   3 Mar 2023

India as the G20 host has a 'unique role' to play in bringing about an end to the war in Ukraine due to its 'longstanding historical' ties to Russia, the United States has said, expressing hope to work closely with New Delhi to find a way to stop the conflict.

Garcetti qualified to serve as envoy to India: White House

Garcetti qualified to serve as envoy to India: White House

Rediff.com   2 Mar 2023

The White House on Wednesday stood behind Eric Garcetti asserting he is qualified to serve as United States Ambassador to India, even as a Congressional committee vote on his nomination was postponed till March 8 after a Republican Senator placed a hold on his nomination.

Time to help Ukraine, say US Senators meeting Modi

Time to help Ukraine, say US Senators meeting Modi

Rediff.com   1 Mar 2023

A group of top American Senators who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week said they made a case to him that this is a battle between autocracy and democracy, and emphasised that democracies must unite in increasing their help to Ukraine.

Quoting Modi on Ukraine, US says India global strategic partner

Quoting Modi on Ukraine, US says India global strategic partner

Rediff.com   28 Feb 2023

"India is a global strategic partner of ours. We have a wide, broad, deep relationship with India. There will be a lot on the agenda in the bilateral relationship and in the multilateral engagements he takes part in on the margins of the G20," Ned Price, State Department Spokesperson, told reporters at his daily news conference.

No definitive conclusion on Covid origin theory: White House

No definitive conclusion on Covid origin theory: White House

Rediff.com   28 Feb 2023

"The intelligence community and the rest of the government are still looking at this. There's not been a definitive conclusion, so it's difficult for me to say, nor should I feel like I should have to defend press reporting about a possible preliminary indication here," National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told reporters at a daily White House news conference.

US offers all support to make India's G20 presidency a success

US offers all support to make India's G20 presidency a success

Rediff.com   25 Feb 2023

Blinken will also attend a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Quad grouping and will hold bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in Delhi.

Relief for Indians as US allows students to apply for visa 1 year in advance

Relief for Indians as US allows students to apply for visa 1 year in advance

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2023

In a much-needed relief for foreign students looking to study in the US, the Biden administration has announced they can now apply for a visa up to a year before their academic term begins.

Blinken to travel to India on March 1 for G20 meet

Blinken to travel to India on March 1 for G20 meet

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2023

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to India next week to attend the meeting of G20 foreign ministers and meet senior Indian officials to reaffirm America's strong partnership with the country.

Biden nominates ex-Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga to head World Bank

Biden nominates ex-Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga to head World Bank

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2023

At the World Bank Banga will be replacing David Malpass, a former Trump treasury official, reports axios.com. Malpass had already announced that he will resign by July, months ahead of his term expired. "Ajay is uniquely equipped to lead the World Bank at this critical moment in history," President Biden said in a statement. Banga, 63, currently serves as vice chairman at General Atlantic.

Seattle resolution on caste 'Hinduphobic': Indian-American senator

Seattle resolution on caste 'Hinduphobic': Indian-American senator

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2023

"I condemn in the strongest terms the ordinance passed by the Seattle City Council. Caste discrimination simply doesn't exist now," Niraj Antani, the first Hindu and Indian-American state senator in Ohio's history, said.