Reena Bhardwaj In Washington, DC

Stories by Reena Bhardwaj In Washington, DC

I have been cleared of all charges: Chatwal

I have been cleared of all charges: Chatwal

Rediff.com   25 Jan 2010

Flamboyant and controversial New York hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal, a major political contributor and fundraiser for the Clintons and several high profile Democratic politicians, is elated that he is in line to receive a Padma Bhushan in this year's Republic Day honours list, and rubbished concerns that he is undeserving of the award.

There are tensions between US and Pak: Pentagon

There are tensions between US and Pak: Pentagon

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2009

The relationship between the United States and Pakistan is complex, the Pentagon said on Thursday, acknowledging that there were tensions on both sides.

Terror suspect Headley not our agent: CIA

Terror suspect Headley not our agent: CIA

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2009

America's Central Intelligence Agency on Thursday strongly refuted reports that Pakistani-origin US national David Coleman Headley, charged with criminal conspiring in the 26/11 terror attacks, was its agent at any point of time.

India cancels visas of Headley and Rana

India cancels visas of Headley and Rana

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2009

The Indian government has cancelled visas of Pakistani-origin terror suspects and Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Rana, according to sources.

Headley helping FBI to avoid death penalty?

Headley helping FBI to avoid death penalty?

Rediff.com   14 Dec 2009

Pakistani-origin American national David Coleman Headley, a Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative charged with criminal conspiracy in the 26/11 terror attacks, now appears to have turned into an informant to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to avoid death penalty.

USTDA bullish on India's aviation sector

USTDA bullish on India's aviation sector

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2009

The US Trade and Development Agency is bullish on the exponential growth of the aviation sector in India, despite the global economic downturn.

Pak major key link between 26/11 perpetrators

Pak major key link between 26/11 perpetrators

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2009

A Lahore-based retired Pakistan army major has emerged as a key link between the Mumbai terror attack suspect David Coleman Headley and his Pakistani handlers who guided him in planning and plotting strikes in India.

Al Qaeda helping Lashkar to attack India: US

Al Qaeda helping Lashkar to attack India: US

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2009

Al Qaeda is helping and providing assistance to the Lashkar-e-Tayiba in launching terrorist attacks in India with the objective of provoking a conflict between India and Pakistan, United States Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday.

Coming up: India-US Education Council

Coming up: India-US Education Council

Rediff.com   4 Nov 2009

As part of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's State visit to the United States on November 24, India and the US are planning to announce the convening of an India-US Education Council on the lines of the US-India Business Council, Human Resource Minister Kapil Sibal has disclosed.

'Afghans must not see America as occupiers'

'Afghans must not see America as occupiers'

Rediff.com   27 Oct 2009

'Riding around in an armed personnel carrier, as I did when I was there, and seeing the faces through the window of Afghans watching that monster vehicle go by, you get a sense of the disconnect that Afghans must experience,' US Senator John F Kerry said.

Gujarat's affidavit ploy pathetic: Chidambaram

Gujarat's affidavit ploy pathetic: Chidambaram

Rediff.com   11 Sep 2009

For Home Minister Chidambaram, it was an opportunity to set the record straight and disabuse any misperception that the Home Ministry affidavit on Ishrat Jahan and three others could be used by the Gujarat government to vindicate itself from culpability in the alleged fake encounter case.

'We need to revise the definition of education'

'We need to revise the definition of education'

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2009

"Nations need to recognise higher education as the engine of economic growth and prosperity," says Dr Susan Aldridge, president, University of Maryland University College, US, Aziz Haniffa reports

US nonproliferation lobby relishes Pokhran-II row

US nonproliferation lobby relishes Pokhran-II row

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2009

The United States' nonproliferation lobby is apparently relishing the controversy ignited by erstwhile Defense and Research Development Organization scientist K Santhanam that the May 1998 Pokhran thermonuclear tests were not a full success implying that India needs to test again.

Harpoon charges on Pak not a rider on US aid

Harpoon charges on Pak not a rider on US aid

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2009

The New York Times report that Pakistan illegally modified the Harpoon anti-ship missile provided by the United States apparently to bolster its conventional weaponry against India, has embarrassed the Obama administration and Senators John F Kerry and Richard Lugarjust as Washington is poised to provide Islamabad with a massive economic and military largesse of $ 7.5 billion over five years

Doha talks: US hopeful of Indian help

Doha talks: US hopeful of Indian help

Rediff.com   2 Sep 2009

The Obama administration has not received any specific assurances from India that it will help carry the developing countries with it to help successfully complete the stalled Doha Development Agenda, but the fact that New Delhi is hosting the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting exudes optimism in this regard, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk has acknowledged

Harpoon issue: Pak for mutual inspections, says US

Harpoon issue: Pak for mutual inspections, says US

Rediff.com   2 Sep 2009

Responding to "serious" American concerns about illegal modifications made by Pakistan to the US-made harpoon anti-ship missiles that could target India, Islamabad has agreed for "mutual inspections" of the weapon system.

How Sam Pitroda analyses Indian higher education

How Sam Pitroda analyses Indian higher education

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2009

Telecommunications icon and entrepreneur Sam Pitroda, who is the chairman of National Knowledge Commission, tasked with building excellence in India's education system to meet the challenges of the 21st century, has said India faces serious problems in its higher education system and that unless it is alleviated expeditiously, the Indian march to become a major global player could be adversely impacted.

India needs leaders at many levels: Sam Pitroda

India needs leaders at many levels: Sam Pitroda

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2009

Sam Pitroda, chairman of India's National Knowledge Commission, believes the United States' model of a liberal arts education is applicable in the revamping of higher education in India and that such a model is very much in the works.He noted during a conference on Higher Education Policies in India, China and the United States, "Too much focus on engineering and medical education has created a situation where liberal arts really did not get due recognition," he said.

'Cooperative education must for India, China, US'

'Cooperative education must for India, China, US'

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2009

If India, China and the United States are to prosper in a globalised economy, a joint, cooperative transformation of their higher education systems was imperative, believes B M Naik, former principal of the engineering school at the Guru Gobind Singh College in Nanded, Maharashtra."To bring about this transformation from one level to the high level and to the global level and quality standard education, what is most important is that these ideas must move fast," he said.

9/11 plotters still alive and planning: US general

9/11 plotters still alive and planning: US general

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2009

Those who plotted the deadly attacks on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, are still alive and planning to carry out more terror strikes, a top United States military general has said.