Yoshita Singh, Lalit Jha

Stories by Yoshita Singh, Lalit Jha

Was LeT involved in Pahalgam?: UNSC asks Pak 'tough questions'

Was LeT involved in Pahalgam?: UNSC asks Pak 'tough questions'

Rediff.com   6 May 2025

The United Nations Security Council held closed-door consultations on rising tensions between India and Pakistan, with envoys calling for restraint and dialogue. The consultations, requested by Pakistan, lasted for about an hour and a half. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the tensions, urging both countries to avoid a military confrontation. India's former Permanent Representative to the UN, Syed Akbaruddin, said that no consequential outcome could be expected from the discussion.

It pains me to see ties near boiling point: UN chief on India-Pak tensions

It pains me to see ties near boiling point: UN chief on India-Pak tensions

Rediff.com   5 May 2025

UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres expressed concern over the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, calling for maximum restraint and urging both countries to step back from the brink. Guterres offered his "good offices" to both governments in the service of peace and condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, emphasizing the need to bring those responsible to justice. He also stressed that a military confrontation would be detrimental and could easily spin out of control. His remarks came hours before a closed consultation of the UN Security Council on the matter, requested by Pakistan. The UN Secretary-General highlighted the need for de-escalation, diplomacy, and a renewed commitment to peace.

UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on Indo-Pak tensions today

UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on Indo-Pak tensions today

Rediff.com   5 May 2025

The UN Security Council will hold closed consultations on Monday on the situation between India and Pakistan after Islamabad sought an emergency meeting on the issue. Pakistan, which currently sits as a non-permanent member of the council, requested the meeting in light of rising tensions between the two countries following a terror attack in India. The meeting comes after India's foreign minister spoke with all council members except China and Pakistan, emphasizing the need to bring perpetrators of the attack to justice. The Pakistani envoy has argued that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir poses a threat to regional and international peace and security, justifying the need for a council discussion.

UNSC likely to meet soon to discuss India-Pak tensions

UNSC likely to meet soon to discuss India-Pak tensions

Rediff.com   2 May 2025

The UN Security Council could meet soon to discuss the situation between India and Pakistan, with the UNSC President expressing concern over rising tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The President, Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris of Greece, said a meeting would provide an opportunity to express views and help diffuse tensions. Sekeris also condemned terrorism in all its forms, including the recent attack in Pahalgam, and called for de-escalation and dialogue between India and Pakistan.

Minister's confession exposes Pak as rogue state: India at UN

Minister's confession exposes Pak as rogue state: India at UN

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2025

India has accused Pakistan of being a "rogue state" fueling global terrorism, following a confession by Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitting to his country's history of supporting and funding terrorist organisations. India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Yojna Patel, delivered a strong Right of Reply at a UN event, highlighting Asif's admission and condemning Pakistan's actions. Patel asserted that the world can no longer turn a blind eye to Pakistan's role in supporting terrorism.

They'll get it figured out one way or the other: Trump on India-Pak tensions

They'll get it figured out one way or the other: Trump on India-Pak tensions

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2025

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that there has always been tension between India and Pakistan and the two countries will figure it out between themselves. Trump was asked about tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed, and if he would be talking to the leaders of the two nations. He said that he knows both leaders and that there is great tension between Pakistan and India, but there always has been.

UN steps in as India-Pakistan tensions mount

UN steps in as India-Pakistan tensions mount

Rediff.com   25 Apr 2025

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for maximum restraint between India and Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Guterres' spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said that the UN chief is following the situation "very closely and with very great concern." Dujarric also stated that any issues between the two countries "can and should be resolved peacefully, through meaningful, mutual engagement." India has downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and announced a raft of measures, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post in view of the cross-border links to the terror attack.

IMF lowers India's growth projection to 6.2% for FY26

IMF lowers India's growth projection to 6.2% for FY26

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2025

The Indian economy is projected to grow at 6.2 per cent in 2025-26, slower than earlier estimated rate of 6.5 per cent, due to escalated trade tensions and global uncertainty, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday. "For India, the growth outlook is relatively more stable at 6.2 per cent in 2025, supported by private consumption, particularly in rural areas," IMF said in its World Economic Outlook (WEO).

Wanted Punjab terrorist arrested in US; had links with ISI, BKI

Wanted Punjab terrorist arrested in US; had links with ISI, BKI

Rediff.com   18 Apr 2025

Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia alias Jora, an alleged terrorist who had illegally entered the US, was arrested by the FBI and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations in Sacramento.

US judge stops Indian student's deportation weeks before graduation

US judge stops Indian student's deportation weeks before graduation

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2025

Krish Lal Isserdasani is an engineering student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

US sanctions Indian national for shipping Iranian oil

US sanctions Indian national for shipping Iranian oil

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2025

The US has sanctioned an Indian national based in the United Arab Emirates and two India-based entities for operating as part of Iran's shadow fleet and involved in shipping Iranian oil. The US Department of the Treasury said Jugwinder Singh Brar, who owns multiple shipping companies, operates as part of Iran's shadow fleet, which the US said is used to evade sanctions and transport Iranian oil. Brar also owns or controls India-based shipping company Global Tankers Private Limited and petrochemical sales company B and P Solutions Private Limited. The sanctions come as part of a US campaign of maximum pressure on Iran and target the country's petroleum and petrochemical sectors.

US reaffirms support for India's pursuit of justice in 26/11 attacks

US reaffirms support for India's pursuit of justice in 26/11 attacks

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2025

The United States has extradited Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Rana, 64, was convicted in the US in 2011 for providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Pakistani militant group responsible for the Mumbai attacks. The US Department of State said it has long supported India's efforts to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice and that the extradition is a critical step towards seeking justice for the victims. Rana's extradition comes after the US Supreme Court denied his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition. He will now face justice in India for his role in the attacks which killed 166 people, including six Americans.

Rana not in custody, says US Bureau of Prisons

Rana not in custody, says US Bureau of Prisons

Rediff.com   10 Apr 2025

Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited to India after the US Supreme Court denied his last-ditch effort to avoid being sent back. Rana, a close associate of David Coleman Headley, another key conspirator in the attacks, was expected to be extradited "shortly" after his legal appeals failed. This decision comes after a multi-agency team from India traveled to the US to complete all necessary paperwork and legalities with the US authorities. Rana's extradition marks a significant development in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the Mumbai attacks.

Tahawwur Rana to be extradited today? Multi-agency team in US

Tahawwur Rana to be extradited today? Multi-agency team in US

Rediff.com   9 Apr 2025

The hugely significant development comes just days after Rana's last-resort attempt to evade extradition to India failed after the US Supreme Court justices denied his application, moving him closer to being handed over to Indian authorities to face justice in the dastardly attacks.

US Supreme Court rejects Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay extradition

US Supreme Court rejects Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay extradition

Rediff.com   7 Apr 2025

The US Supreme Court has denied the application of Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, seeking a stay on his extradition to India. Rana, currently detained in Los Angeles, had submitted the application after Associate Justice Elena Kagan initially denied it. Despite a renewed appeal, the Supreme Court ultimately rejected the request.

India imposes its own 'uniquely burdensome' rules: US

India imposes its own 'uniquely burdensome' rules: US

Rediff.com   3 Apr 2025

On India, the chart showed that the country charged 52 per cent tariffs on the US "including currency manipulation and trade barriers," and America will now charge India "discounted reciprocal tariffs" of 26 per cent.

Trump slaps 26% reciprocal tariffs on India, 34% on China

Trump slaps 26% reciprocal tariffs on India, 34% on China

Rediff.com   3 Apr 2025

US President Donald Trump announced a 26 per cent "discounted reciprocal tariff" on India, half of the 52 per cent levies imposed by India on American goods, as he described India as "very, very tough."

Trump tariffs: 'This is not a tax cut, this is a tax hike'

Trump tariffs: 'This is not a tax cut, this is a tax hike'

Rediff.com   3 Apr 2025

"These latest so-called 'Liberation Day' tariffs are reckless and self-destructive, inflicting financial pain on Illinois at a time when people are already struggling to keep their small businesses afloat and put food on the table."

Behind Trump's 26% tariff: India 'very tough, Modi great friend, but...'

Behind Trump's 26% tariff: India 'very tough, Modi great friend, but...'

Rediff.com   3 Apr 2025

"Their Prime Minister just visited -- he's a great friend -- but I told him, 'You're not treating us right. You charge us 52%, while for years, decades even, we've c'harged you next to nothing. It wasn't until seven years ago, when I took office, that we started pushing back, beginning with China.'"

Sunita Williams describes how India looks from space

Sunita Williams describes how India looks from space

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2025

Sunita added that "I hope, and I think for sure, I'm gonna be going back to my father's home country and visiting with people and getting excited about the first, or not the first, but the Indian national who's going up on the Axiom Mission coming up, pretty awesome," she said.