News for '-foreign-service'

Hate speech attack on govt one-sided: Ex-IFS officers' counter letter

Hate speech attack on govt one-sided: Ex-IFS officers' counter letter

Rediff.com5 Jan 2022

In their counter-letter, the group of former IFS officers acknowledged that the remarks made at the Haridwar event should be condemned by all right thinking, before adding that when the import of these is "exaggerated out of all proportion and the rantings by fringe elements" are seen as representative of the sentiments prevailing in ruling circles, then the political leanings and moral integrity of the critics can be rightly questioned.

LA mayor could be next US envoy to India: Reports

LA mayor could be next US envoy to India: Reports

Rediff.com27 May 2021

Garcetti, 50, who served as the co-chair of Biden's presidential campaign, was initially considered for the Cabinet.

The diplomat who handles a hot potato with a cool head

The diplomat who handles a hot potato with a cool head

Rediff.com31 Dec 2020

As the representative of his government in India, Abdul Basit runs a tight ship at the Pakistan High Commission.

'By abstaining, India voted for India'

'By abstaining, India voted for India'

Rediff.com7 Mar 2022

'It did not vote against America, or for Russia.' 'If we had voted for the American motion, it would have spoilt our relationship with Russia without any change in Russia's behaviour.'

Rajapaksa won't resign under 'any circumstances'

Rajapaksa won't resign under 'any circumstances'

Rediff.com6 Apr 2022

The Government also defended the President's decision to enforce a state of emergency, that had given him sweeping authority to act in the interests of public security and preserving public order, including suspending any laws, authorising detentions and seizing property, saying it was declared after attempts were made to attack the President's Office and other public property.

'India has skills to deal with the Taliban'

'India has skills to deal with the Taliban'

Rediff.com2 Sep 2021

'Even during the worst days during the 1990s, India was dealing with the Taliban.'

Opportunities missed, outgoing envoy Vikram Misri tells Chinese FM

Opportunities missed, outgoing envoy Vikram Misri tells Chinese FM

Rediff.com6 Dec 2021

Outgoing Indian envoy to China Vikram Misri on Monday had a virtual farewell call on Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during which he said that "certain challenges" had overpowered the vast opportunities in the bilateral ties last year and hoped that with continued communication the two sides would be able to resolve the current difficulties.

US introduces Russia benchmarks into India relations

US introduces Russia benchmarks into India relations

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

The pressure on India to take a hostile attitude towards Russia and China was not subtle, but it was guarded, observes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan after Monday's 2+2 ministerial meeting in Washington, DC.

Taranjit Singh Sandhu appointed India's ambassador to US

Taranjit Singh Sandhu appointed India's ambassador to US

Rediff.com28 Jan 2020

Sandhu, a 1988-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, is currently posted as high commissioner of India in Sri Lanka.

Harsh Vardhan Shringla appointed as new foreign secy

Harsh Vardhan Shringla appointed as new foreign secy

Rediff.com24 Dec 2019

Shringla, a 1984 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, is considered an expert on India's neighbourhood and is currently serving as envoy to the US.

India's Tightrope Walk Over Ukraine

India's Tightrope Walk Over Ukraine

Rediff.com27 Feb 2022

Now, as before, India's vote at the UN was dictated by paramount national interests. Though the Indian vote was 'neutral', its explanation was explicit in its criticism of the Russian actions. India took back with the left hand what it had given with the right, explains Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

CIA director held secret meeting with Taliban leader in Kabul: Report

CIA director held secret meeting with Taliban leader in Kabul: Report

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

CIA Director William J. Burns held a secret meeting in Kabul on Monday with Baradar in the highest-level face-to-face encounter between the Taliban and the Biden administration since the militants seized the Afghan capital, the Washington Post reported, citing unnamed US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity,

Sohail Mahmood to replace Abdul Basit as Pakistan's envoy to India

Sohail Mahmood to replace Abdul Basit as Pakistan's envoy to India

Rediff.com9 May 2017

Mahmood, 55, currently Pakistan's ambassador in Turkey, was granted a visa by India on Friday, the sources said.

'OTT will take over films'

'OTT will take over films'

Rediff.com22 Jan 2022

'What we could not do in films, we can do on OTT.'

Modi Breaks Fresh Ground In Foreign Policy

Modi Breaks Fresh Ground In Foreign Policy

Rediff.com23 Mar 2022

'The big power struggle in faraway Europe erupted at a most critical juncture when India has been increasingly sceptical about American policies and statesmanship,' argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Putin Offers Ukraine an Olive Branch

Putin Offers Ukraine an Olive Branch

Rediff.com25 Feb 2022

Russia's main gain will be that in geopolitical terms, Ukraine regains its sovereignty and ceases to be a de facto American colony, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

'Not too many surprises, not too many gimmicks, and welcome consistency'

'Not too many surprises, not too many gimmicks, and welcome consistency'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2022

'The term 'pro-growth' must be qualified somewhat because, while a rising tide will lift all boats, it will not necessarily do so equally.'

IRS officer Pradeep Singh tops civil services exam

IRS officer Pradeep Singh tops civil services exam

Rediff.com4 Aug 2020

A total of 829 candidates have qualified for civil services, including the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service, the Union Public Service Commission announced

What is Biden trying to tell Modi?

What is Biden trying to tell Modi?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2022

The Modi government has been put on notice.'Will it buckle under such pressure? These are times when the moral fibre of the leadership makes all the difference, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Why Is The Taliban Angry With Pakistan?

Why Is The Taliban Angry With Pakistan?

Rediff.com4 Jan 2022

The Taliban is showing its strong discontent as the high hopes given to it by the Pakistani military have been dashed, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Does US Want India-China Ties Boiling?

Does US Want India-China Ties Boiling?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

Washington is signalling to Delhi that it can rely on American support in any great game vis-a-vis China. Delhi shouldn't fall into the trap, argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Is The Taliban Breaking Away From Pakistan?

Is The Taliban Breaking Away From Pakistan?

Rediff.com18 Jan 2022

The Taliban's main challenge comes on the financial and economic front and there Pakistan doesn't have the capacity to be of any meaningful help, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Modi should not enter turf that angels fear to tread

Modi should not enter turf that angels fear to tread

Rediff.com27 Feb 2022

'Frankly, India has no role to play.' 'This is a showdown between the US and NATO on one hand and Russia on the other.' 'That said, the outcome of this titanic struggle in Central Europe will remould the world order and affect India profoundly,' argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

What the Putin-XI Nexus Means for US

What the Putin-XI Nexus Means for US

Rediff.com7 Feb 2022

Russia and China have a broad consensus today on almost all core issues related to global strategic stability, which is unprecedented in modern history, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

US Wants To Be Friends With Taliban?

US Wants To Be Friends With Taliban?

Rediff.com4 Feb 2022

Regional States will be worried that the US's nascent engagement with the Taliban behind the fig leaf of humanitarian aid enables the return of US intelligence personnel to Afghanistan, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Ukraine Crisis: India On A Safe Wicket

Ukraine Crisis: India On A Safe Wicket

Rediff.com22 Feb 2022

American analysts and their camp followers in India are talking absolute rubbish when they try to establish that India is facing a Hobson's choice in regard of Donbass, called upon to take sides between Russia and the West, asserts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Harsh Vardhan Shringla is India's new ambassador to US

Harsh Vardhan Shringla is India's new ambassador to US

Rediff.com20 Dec 2018

Shringla, a 1984-batch Indian Foreign Service diplomat will succeed Navtej Sarna.

SEE: With Namaste, Akbaruddin bids goodbye to UN

SEE: With Namaste, Akbaruddin bids goodbye to UN

Rediff.com30 Apr 2020

"Before I leave Secretary General, I have one last small request and that is in the Indian tradition, when we leave or when we meet, we don't stay hello or shake hand but we say Namaste. So before I end I want to say Namaste to you and I hope if you can reciprocate," Akbaruddin said during his video conversation with Guterres, adding that 'I bow out with a Namaste to you'.

Why the Afghans LOST the War

Why the Afghans LOST the War

Rediff.com16 Aug 2021

When corruption eats into the vitals of a nation, the State structures decompose and collapse. And when the leadership loses respect of the people, the war is lost, asserts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar, who played a stellar role in beginning India's systemic dealings in Afghanistan in 1994.

Putin anticipates a new regime in Kyiv

Putin anticipates a new regime in Kyiv

Rediff.com24 Feb 2022

Putin is looking beyond the current regime in Kyiv. Of course, if the Western military assistance to Kyiv continues in any form, Washington knows that Russia will regard it as a hostile act and there will be severe consequences, predicts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Biden announces national security team

Biden announces national security team

Rediff.com24 Nov 2020

The President-elect also announced the nomination of former Secretary of State John Kerry as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, the first such official to sit on the national security council.

Why is a Communist paying homage to a Guru?

Why is a Communist paying homage to a Guru?

Rediff.com8 Sep 2020

'This will be the first open university in Kerala and it is a great tribute to Gurudevan by the helmsman of the Communist movement in Kerala,' observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Ladakh Standoff: Return To Status Quo Unlikely, But...

Ladakh Standoff: Return To Status Quo Unlikely, But...

Rediff.com17 Jan 2022

Through the past 18-month period, peace has prevailed in the disputed border regions, which was immensely helpful in the difficult situation that the country was passing through, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Ukraine Crisis: What's China's Game?

Ukraine Crisis: What's China's Game?

Rediff.com3 Feb 2022

China is going to be an indispensable partner in Russia's ongoing crisis with the US, while on its part, China cannot remain indifferent if Russia gets crushed by the US, lest it loses 'strategic depth', observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

India Must Stay in Kabul!

India Must Stay in Kabul!

Rediff.com17 Aug 2021

A closure of the Indian mission in Kabul will be a Himalayan blunder at this historic juncture when the wheels of diplomacy and politics are set to accelerate in Afghanistan, argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar

India Tries To Find A New Route in Kabul

India Tries To Find A New Route in Kabul

Rediff.com4 Nov 2021

The terrible beauty of Doval's initiative is that it is all about a new journey rather than about a set compass pointing toward a pre-determined destination, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

India, Pakistan, Taliban On Same Page?

India, Pakistan, Taliban On Same Page?

Rediff.com30 Nov 2021

Delhi has come to accept the Taliban takeover in Kabul as a reality and seems increasingly unsure of its dogmatic view of the Taliban as a mere proxy of the Pakistani military and security establishment, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

The Gouri Amma I Knew

The Gouri Amma I Knew

Rediff.com12 May 2021

She was capable of a level of human compassion that is rare today among politicians, recalls Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar, who knew the Communist legend K R Gowri, who passed into the ages on May 11, from his childhood.

IMA seeks IAS-like all-India service for healthcare administration

IMA seeks IAS-like all-India service for healthcare administration

Rediff.com11 Jul 2020

The IMA feels that there is a dire need for a drastic change in health administration which can be realised by raising a new cadre of administrators, it said in a statement.

'Ukraine has been consistently unhelpful to India's concerns'

'Ukraine has been consistently unhelpful to India's concerns'

Rediff.com8 Mar 2022

'If the Russian forces do capture Kyiv and set up some sort of provisional government, they might run into an insurgency, for which the geography is just right, it could prove costly for them.' 'In that event, the whole exercise could turn out to be counter-productive -- and costly in both foreign policy and domestic terms.'