Saisuresh Sivaswamy And Aziz Haniffa In New York

Stories by Saisuresh Sivaswamy And Aziz Haniffa In New York

The first Gandhi-Nehru to be grilled on TV gets my vote

The first Gandhi-Nehru to be grilled on TV gets my vote

Rediff.com   28 Jan 2014

'Rahul Gandhi was not wrong in invoking the 2002 Gujarat riots but when Arnab Goswami threw the curve ball of judicial clean chit to Modi, he did not know what to say. A better-prepared man would have come back that it was not a question of judicial clean chits but about owing up moral responsibility, would have even cited AB Vajpayee's own rajdharma plea,' argues Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

'Khobragade affair shows we can't let matters drift'

'Khobragade affair shows we can't let matters drift'

Rediff.com   28 Jan 2014

'While the Khobragade affair has "upset and diverted attention, it does not mean there is a fundamental flaw in the US-India relationship",' former American envoy Frank Wisner tells Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa.

Top US official attends R-Day celebration in Washington

Top US official attends R-Day celebration in Washington

Rediff.com   24 Jan 2014

Setting aside the recent tumult in relations caused by the Khobragade episode, US Deputy Secretary of State Heather Higginbottom attended the first major event India's new Ambassador Dr S Jaishankar hosted in Washington. Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa reports from the Republic Day celebration in the US capital.

'Indiawallah' to be prestigious Wadhwani Chair

'Indiawallah' to be prestigious Wadhwani Chair

Rediff.com   23 Jan 2014

'In the time I have been an Indiawallah, I have seen three US Presidential visits to India, nuclear sanctions, nuclear cooperation, a border conflict with Pakistan, the growth of IT services, a government losing a confidence vote, and so much more,' Rick Rossow, the new Wadhwani Chair in US-India Policy Studies tells Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa.

The Kashmiri Pandit who wants to be California's governor

The Kashmiri Pandit who wants to be California's governor

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2014

'Today, the gift of a good education and the opportunity it creates are out of reach for millions of struggling Californians. That's why I'm running for governor -- to create jobs and give kids a quality education. Jobs and education. That's it. That's my platform'. Neel Tushar Kashkari, the son of Srinagar-born and raised Kashmiri Pandit immigrants, throws his hat in the ring for California governor.

5 takeaways from Rahul Gandhi's AICC speech

5 takeaways from Rahul Gandhi's AICC speech

Rediff.com   17 Jan 2014

A never-seen-before Rahul Gandhi exuded toughness and aggression. And it was not only about the words he used to castigate the opposition but his dialogue delivery, facial expressions, overall body language that conveyed a different, more confident Gandhi, says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

'Sevak Project is a health care plan for the villagers and by the villagers'

'Sevak Project is a health care plan for the villagers and by the villagers'

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2014

My goal is to implement the Sevak project all over India and make the villages true Gandhian villages -- self sustainable in every way, including health, says Dr Thakor Patel, head of the American Association of Physician of Indian Origin's Public Health Committee. Aziz Haniffa reports

'We want to bring trauma care based on the US model to Gujarat'

'We want to bring trauma care based on the US model to Gujarat'

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2014

The idea is to provide prompt and proper emergency care to all, especially for our middle and lower classes for whom availing emergency care is difficult and sometimes just impossible, says Dr Navin Shah, former president, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin

Influential medical group in the US to attend PBD 2014

Influential medical group in the US to attend PBD 2014

Rediff.com   6 Jan 2014

The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin will attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Delhi with an agenda to develop a plan to bring together AAPI, NGOs and the government to provide access to affordable and quality health care. Aziz Haniffa reports

'If US can negotiate with Iran, why can't it talk to Modi?'

'If US can negotiate with Iran, why can't it talk to Modi?'

Rediff.com   2 Jan 2014

Retired senior US diplomats Teresita and Howard Schaffer believe the 'US cannot afford to continue restricting its contacts with Narendra Modi.' Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa reports from Washington, DC.

Utah governor presents lifetime achievement award to Dr Dinesh Patel

Utah governor presents lifetime achievement award to Dr Dinesh Patel

Rediff.com   27 Dec 2013

Dinesh Patel, Utah's most high profile and influential Indian American, was conferred the Willem J Kolff Lifetime Achievement Award at BioUtah's 2013 Utah Life Science Award, the state's top science award ceremony.

Islam 'Isi' Siddiqui quits Obama administration

Islam 'Isi' Siddiqui quits Obama administration

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2013

Ambassador Islam 'Isi' Siddiqui, one of the highest ranking Indian Americans in the Obama administration, has resigned from his position as chief agricultural negotiator in the office of the United States Trade Representative.

US court releases Kashmiri separatist Ghulam Nabi Fai

US court releases Kashmiri separatist Ghulam Nabi Fai

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2013

Kashmiri separatist leader Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai was released early from a minimum-security penitentiary, thanks to a surprising motion moved by the prosecution.

The ISI, the CIA and the Mumbai attacks

The ISI, the CIA and the Mumbai attacks

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2013

When then ISI director Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha visited Washington, DC for a meeting with CIA Director Michael Hayden, he admitted that the planners of the Mumbai attacks included some 'retired Pakistani officers' and that the attackers had 'ISI links, but this had not been an authorised ISI operation.'

'Obama never nudged India on Kashmir'

'Obama never nudged India on Kashmir'

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2013

'The real purpose of President Obama writing to President Zardari,' Husain Haqqani tells Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa, 'was to seek a turnaround on terrorism -- that Pakistan, whatever its grievances, cannot have jihadi groups operating openly on its soil.'

'Why is India acting as if this is such a huge insult to them?'

'Why is India acting as if this is such a huge insult to them?'

Rediff.com   20 Dec 2013

Denouncing India's attempts to get Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade full diplomatic immunity, United States law enforcement officials warn that it will set a terrible precedent. Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa reports from Washington, DC.

Regret not enough, US must apologise: Experts on Devyani arrest

Regret not enough, US must apologise: Experts on Devyani arrest

Rediff.com   20 Dec 2013

"The incident involving India's deputy consul general was outrageous, deplorable and inexcusable. Period. Full stop."

Exclusive! Kerry, Burns, Biswal not informed of action against Khobragade

Exclusive! Kerry, Burns, Biswal not informed of action against Khobragade

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2013

The investigations into and actions being taken by the US State Department's Diplomatic Security Service against Devyani Khobragade were not shared with Secretary of State John F Kerry, Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, or Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Nisha Desai Biswal, reveals Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa from Washington, DC.

Diplomat arrest: US should apologise, says Indian-American lawmaker

Diplomat arrest: US should apologise, says Indian-American lawmaker

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2013

Indian-American Congressman Dr Amerish Bera feels that an apology will help India and the United States work through any misunderstandings. Aziz Haniffa reports from Washington, DC

'Just 11,000 NRIs enrolled to vote'

'Just 11,000 NRIs enrolled to vote'

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2013

If there is no possibility of NRIs coming to India to vote, why should they get enrolled, asks Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath.