Yoshita Singh, Lalit Jha

Stories by Yoshita Singh, Lalit Jha

Expect India-US trade deal in not-too-distant future: US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick

Expect India-US trade deal in not-too-distant future: US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick

Rediff.com   3 Jun 2025

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has said one should expect a trade deal between India and the US in the "not-too-distant future" as the two countries have found a place that works for them. "So the idea is when they put the right person and India put the right person on the other side of the table, and we've managed, I think, to be in a very, very good place," Lutnick said in his keynote address at the eighth edition of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit in Washington on Monday.

Deal I'm most proud of...: Trump repeats India-Pak truce claim

Deal I'm most proud of...: Trump repeats India-Pak truce claim

Rediff.com   31 May 2025

Trump said that leaders in India and Pakistan are "great leaders" and "they understood, and they agreed, and that all stopped".

Trump administration uses India-Pak ceasefire to justify tariffs

Trump administration uses India-Pak ceasefire to justify tariffs

Rediff.com   29 May 2025

Trump has repeatedly claimed that he "helped settle" the tensions between India and Pakistan and that he told the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours that America would do a "lot of trade" with them if they stopped the conflict.

We will not be sitting quietly if...: Tharoor on Pahalgam attack

We will not be sitting quietly if...: Tharoor on Pahalgam attack

Rediff.com   25 May 2025

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday (local time) highlighted how India responded in a measured and calibrated manner towards terror bases and headquarters in Pakistan, following the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed.

No tariffs, no US sales: Trump's warning to Apple on India production

No tariffs, no US sales: Trump's warning to Apple on India production

Rediff.com   24 May 2025

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Apple products if the tech giant does not shift iPhone production from India to the United States. Trump said he expects iPhones sold in the US to be manufactured in America and not India, or anyplace else. He also said that he had a "little problem" with Apple CEO Tim Cook for building manufacturing facilities in India. Cook had previously said that the majority of iPhones sold in the US would have India as their country of origin. Experts say that shifting production to the US would be more expensive than assembling iPhones in India.

Pak broke Indus treaty spirit with 3 wars, terror attacks, India tells UN

Pak broke Indus treaty spirit with 3 wars, terror attacks, India tells UN

Rediff.com   24 May 2025

India has accused Pakistan of violating the spirit of the Indus Waters Treaty by engaging in acts of terrorism and refusing to modify the treaty. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, addressed the UN Security Council, highlighting Pakistan's disinformation regarding the treaty and its continued support for cross-border terrorism. He stated that India has always acted responsibly as an upper riparian state and that Pakistan's actions have jeopardized civilian lives, religious harmony, and economic prosperity. India has suspended the treaty until Pakistan ends its support for terrorism.

Harvard's 788 Indian Students: What Next?

Harvard's 788 Indian Students: What Next?

Rediff.com   23 May 2025

The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's eligibility to enrol foreign students, raising concerns over the legal status of thousands of students, including nearly 800 from India, currently enrolled at the varsity.

India's GDP growth revised downward to 6.3% for 2025

India's GDP growth revised downward to 6.3% for 2025

Rediff.com   17 May 2025

India's economic growth forecast for 2025 has been revised downward to 6.3 per cent, and despite a projected moderation, the country remains one of the fastest-growing large economies, supported by resilient consumption and government spending, the United Nations has said.

Historic First: New York Senate Honours Indian Constitution

Historic First: New York Senate Honours Indian Constitution

Rediff.com   16 May 2025

In a first, the New York State Senate has formally adopted a resolution honouring the Indian Constitution on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, recognising it as a guiding framework for India's ongoing progress as a nation and celebrating the country's democratic values.

Pahalgam: India ramps up efforts for UN listing of LeT front

Pahalgam: India ramps up efforts for UN listing of LeT front

Rediff.com   15 May 2025

An Indian delegation met top officials of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate here even as New Delhi stepped up efforts to designate The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Tayyaba proxy, as a UN-listed terror outfit for its alleged involvement in the Pahalgam attack.

Encourage direct talks between India, Pakistan: US

Encourage direct talks between India, Pakistan: US

Rediff.com   14 May 2025

The United States said it encourages 'direct communication' between India and Pakistan and commends Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for choosing the path of peace.

Indian-origin college student from US dies in Bahamas

Indian-origin college student from US dies in Bahamas

Rediff.com   14 May 2025

An Indian-origin college student from the US died in the Bahamas after accidentally falling from a hotel balcony just days before he was set to graduate.

No trade if you don't stop: Trump told India, Pakistan

No trade if you don't stop: Trump told India, Pakistan

Rediff.com   12 May 2025

President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that his administration stopped a 'nuclear conflict' between India and Pakistan, adding that he told the two countries America will do a 'lot of trade' with them if they stop the conflict.

Millions could have died: Trump hails India, Pak leaderships for truce

Millions could have died: Trump hails India, Pak leaderships for truce

Rediff.com   11 May 2025

He went on to say that even though this has not been discussed, he is going to 'increase trade substantially with both of these great Nations.'

Pak gets $1 bn IMF loan despite India's strong objection

Pak gets $1 bn IMF loan despite India's strong objection

Rediff.com   10 May 2025

India registered its protest at the board of IMF, which met on Friday to review the EFF lending programme for Pakistan.

Rubio dials Jaishankar, Pak army chief; offers assistance

Rubio dials Jaishankar, Pak army chief; offers assistance

Rediff.com   10 May 2025

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke separately with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement early Saturday.

We are at war with...: Indian Ambassador to US

We are at war with...: Indian Ambassador to US

Rediff.com   9 May 2025

India is at war with terrorists and will bring justice to victims of the Pahalgam attack by holding the perpetrators accountable, Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra has said. He underscored that India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, striking terror factories at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Kwatra also criticized Pakistan for its continued support of terrorism and said that the world should be concerned about this.

None of our business: J D Vance on India-Pak conflict

None of our business: J D Vance on India-Pak conflict

Rediff.com   9 May 2025

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the US has said it will not get involved in the conflict, stressing that it is "fundamentally none of our business." While acknowledging concerns about a potential nuclear war, Vice President J D Vance emphasized that the US cannot control India and Pakistan, but can encourage them to de-escalate. The US has also reiterated its support for direct dialogue between the two countries and encouraged efforts to improve communications.

Rubio speaks to Jaishankar, Sharif, urges both sides to de-escale

Rubio speaks to Jaishankar, Sharif, urges both sides to de-escale

Rediff.com   8 May 2025

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday spoke separately with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, emphasising the need for de-escalation and reiterated his calls for Pakistan to take concrete steps to end any support for terrorist groups.

Too early to...: Top US army general on Operation Sindoor

Too early to...: Top US army general on Operation Sindoor

Rediff.com   8 May 2025

A top American military commander has said that the US is watching the situation very closely after Indian military strikes on terror targets in PoK and Pakistan's Punjab province. The United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) is one of six geographic Unified Combatant Commands of the United States Armed Forces, headquartered in Hawaii. Earlier on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said he wants India and Pakistan to stop the conflict, saying if he can do anything to help, he will be there. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters in New Delhi on Wednesday that the Indian military carried out a measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible strike to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan to deter and to pre-empt any further terrorist strikes.