Sajjad Hussain And K J M Varma

Stories by Sajjad Hussain And K J M Varma

China responds to Trump's tariff threat to BRICS bloc

China responds to Trump's tariff threat to BRICS bloc

Rediff.com   7 Jul 2025

China defended the BRICS economic alliance, stating it is not a bloc for confrontation, after former US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on countries aligning with its 'anti-American policies'.

Pak reaffirms desire for normal ties with India, seeks dialogue

Pak reaffirms desire for normal ties with India, seeks dialogue

Rediff.com   5 Jul 2025

Pakistan has reiterated its desire for normal neighbourly relations with India, while also criticizing India's decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. The Foreign Office spokesperson emphasized Pakistan's commitment to diplomacy and regional cooperation.

Act cautiously: China to India over Dalai Lama's incarnation

Act cautiously: China to India over Dalai Lama's incarnation

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2025

China has objected to Indian Minister Kiren Rijiju's remarks on the Dalai Lama's reincarnation, urging India to be cautious on Tibet-related issues to avoid impacting bilateral relations. China insists any future Dalai Lama must receive its approval.

Days after Munir's visit, Pak air chief goes to US

Days after Munir's visit, Pak air chief goes to US

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2025

Pakistan's Air Force Chief Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu visited the US to enhance bilateral defence cooperation, following a similar visit by the Army Chief. The visit included meetings with US military and political leaders to discuss regional security, counter-terrorism efforts, and future cooperation.

Border row with India will take time to settle, open to talks: China

Border row with India will take time to settle, open to talks: China

Rediff.com   30 Jun 2025

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in his meeting with Chinese counterpart Dong Jun in Qingdao on June 26, proposed that India and China should solve the "complex issues" under a structured roadmap comprising steps to de-escalate tensions along the frontiers and rejuvenate the existing mechanism to demarcate the borders.

Munir describes terror in J-K as 'legitimate struggle'

Munir describes terror in J-K as 'legitimate struggle'

Rediff.com   30 Jun 2025

Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir has described terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as a 'legitimate struggle', saying his country would always stand by the people of Kashmir in their struggle.

China's naval chief, top nuclear scientist expelled in purge

China's naval chief, top nuclear scientist expelled in purge

Rediff.com   27 Jun 2025

Vice Admiral Li Hanjun, chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), and Liu Shipeng, deputy chief engineer of China National Nuclear Corporation, have been expelled from the National People's Congress (NPC), the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

Pak officer, who captured IAF pilot Abhinandan, killed by Taliban

Pak officer, who captured IAF pilot Abhinandan, killed by Taliban

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2025

Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah, 37, was killed on Tuesday in a clash with the Taliban militants in the Sararogha area of South Waziristan near the Afghan border, according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the army.

Chinese Prez Xi Jinping to skip BRICS Summit for first time in 12 yrs

Chinese Prez Xi Jinping to skip BRICS Summit for first time in 12 yrs

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2025

Instead, Chinese Premier and Xi's confidant Li Qiang will take part in the summit to be held on July 6-7 in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to take part.

Pakistan will go to war with India for Indus water: Bilawal

Pakistan will go to war with India for Indus water: Bilawal

Rediff.com   23 Jun 2025

Pakistan's former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday said his country will go to war if India denies Islamabad its fair share of water under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

'Dangerous escalation': Russia, China condemn US attack

'Dangerous escalation': Russia, China condemn US attack

Rediff.com   22 Jun 2025

China and Russia on Sunday strongly condemned the United States air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, with China calling it a serious violation of the United Nations Charter that heightens tensions in West Asia, and Russia terming the strikes 'irresponsible' and asserting that they grossly violate international law, the UN Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions.

'US attack may not be enough to destroy Iran nuke sites'

'US attack may not be enough to destroy Iran nuke sites'

Rediff.com   22 Jun 2025

China's official media on Sunday criticised United States bomb attacks on Iranian nuclear sites as a further step toward the abyss, while experts in Beijing said the American bunker-buster bombs used in strikes may not be enough to destroy Iran's nuclear plants hidden deep underground.

Pak PM Sharif reaffirms willingness to talk with India on all issues

Pak PM Sharif reaffirms willingness to talk with India on all issues

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2025

He conveyed this during a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a statement posted by the state-run Pakistan Television on X.

Pak hikes defence budget amid tension with India

Pak hikes defence budget amid tension with India

Rediff.com   11 Jun 2025

Pakistan on Tuesday increased its defence budget by 20 per cent, allocating PRs. 2,550 billion ($9 billion) for the fiscal year 2025-26, amid tensions with India.

Pak ex-PM Imran Khan likely to be released from jail on June 11

Pak ex-PM Imran Khan likely to be released from jail on June 11

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2025

The Islamabad high court is set to hear the petitions requesting the suspension of sentences to Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the 190 million Pound Al-Qadir Trust case on June 11.

Sharif credits Trump for Indo-Pak ceasefire, seeks US mediation

Sharif credits Trump for Indo-Pak ceasefire, seeks US mediation

Rediff.com   5 Jun 2025

Sharif said that the US president had shown beyond any doubt that "he is a man for peace... and beneficial business deals".

Beijing mum on performance of Chinese weapons used by Pakistan

Beijing mum on performance of Chinese weapons used by Pakistan

Rediff.com   29 May 2025

The Chinese military Thursday declined to comment on the performance of China-made weapons used by Pakistan in the recent conflict with India.

Pak, Turkiye strengthen ties as Sharif meets Erdogan

Pak, Turkiye strengthen ties as Sharif meets Erdogan

Rediff.com   26 May 2025

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to review bilateral relations and reaffirm their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership. The two leaders discussed joint ventures and enhanced bilateral investment in key sectors, aiming to achieve a $5 billion annual bilateral trade target. They also expressed gratitude for mutual support during recent tensions with India. The meeting was described as "warm and most cordial," highlighting the deep-rooted historical ties between Pakistan and Turkey.

Ceasefire with India holding, fully committed to it: Pakistan

Ceasefire with India holding, fully committed to it: Pakistan

Rediff.com   24 May 2025

Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said on Friday that the ceasefire with India was holding and the country is committed to it. He also said that Pakistan is committed to making the ceasefire hold and de-escalation succeed, and then engagement to lead to stability and resolution of issues. Khan said that the two militaries have a channel of communication through the Directors General of Military Operations, through which they are working for de-escalation, in terms of the movement of troops. He added that Pakistan remains committed to the ceasefire announced on May 10 and lately, both sides have taken steps for de-escalation and return of stability.

Afghanistan joins CPEC amid strengthening India-Kabul ties

Afghanistan joins CPEC amid strengthening India-Kabul ties

Rediff.com   21 May 2025

The announcement on expansion of CPEC was made following a meeting among Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Beijing, according to a Pakistani readout.