News for '-west-asian'

Jaishankar to meet Iranian FM on Wednesday amid Prophet remark row

Jaishankar to meet Iranian FM on Wednesday amid Prophet remark row

Rediff.com8 Jun 2022

It is the first visit to India by a senior minister of a member nation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation after the controversial remarks triggered anguish in the Arab world.

Russian Oil: India Ignores US Sanctions

Russian Oil: India Ignores US Sanctions

Rediff.com13 Apr 2023

What is more surprising is that a surge in Russian oil supplies has come after the G7 imposed stringent sanctions on Moscow.

AIFF new boss wants Santosh Trophy in Saudi

AIFF new boss wants Santosh Trophy in Saudi

Rediff.com8 Oct 2022

Either Jeddah or Riyadh will host Santosh knockouts for 3 years, says AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey

India's deep discounts on Russian crude will stay

India's deep discounts on Russian crude will stay

Rediff.com6 Dec 2022

Even as the Group of Seven (G7) price cap on Russian crude oil enters into force as of December 5, India has been assured it will continue to receive the existing deep discounts on Russian oil, for the time being, informed officials. "We have been assured by our Russian partners of uninterrupted crude supplies at the existing rates for the time being. "There were a lot of reports of changes in (India's) buying patterns after the global price cap took hold.

Night curfew in Maharashtra; new rules for Europe arrivals

Night curfew in Maharashtra; new rules for Europe arrivals

Rediff.com21 Dec 2020

"It will be in effect till January 5," Thackeray said, according to the statement.

4 Haryana MLAs receive threats, extortion calls, 6 held; Pak links found

4 Haryana MLAs receive threats, extortion calls, 6 held; Pak links found

Rediff.com31 Jul 2022

Some ex-MLAs from Punjab, too, had received similar threats from these numbers. The callers spoke to them in Mumbai accent and in Punjabi, the IGP said.

Sovereign fund flow: India replaces China as most sought-after destination

Sovereign fund flow: India replaces China as most sought-after destination

Rediff.com17 Dec 2020

In the year 2020 to date, these funds deployed capital worth a record $14.8 billion in India, which is nearly three times more than what they have put in China - $4.5 billion.

Russia offers oil at even cheaper rates to India

Russia offers oil at even cheaper rates to India

Rediff.com12 Sep 2022

"In principle, the ask in return is that India should not support the G7 (Group of Seven) proposal. "A decision on this issue will be taken later following talks with all the partners," an official with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.These "substantial discounts" will be steeper than those offered by Iraq in the past two months, officials said.

Russian crude will keep flowing into India at least till Dec

Russian crude will keep flowing into India at least till Dec

Rediff.com14 Dec 2022

India will need to travel back in time and seek inspiration from football greats Tulsidas Balaram and Chuni Goswami to deftly dribble around and sidestep the West-imposed price cap on exports of Russian seaborne crude oil. India depends on imported oil to meet 86 per cent of its needs, of which nearly a quarter now comes from Russia. The copious flows are roughly 10 per cent cheaper than competing suppliers helping India save billions of dollars in fuel costs.

Richarlison's Importance In A Morally-Conflicted World Cup

Richarlison's Importance In A Morally-Conflicted World Cup

Rediff.com9 Dec 2022

Richarlison is a rarity among the overindulged footballing elite. In a World Cup which has been overshadowed by social issues, Brazil's latest football sensation is championing more than just one cause, observes Deepti Patwardhan.

Crude calculations on a Russian oil price cap

Crude calculations on a Russian oil price cap

Rediff.com8 Nov 2022

Come December, India may have to re-evaluate purchases of Russian oil if a price cap on crude oil proposed by the US and the European Union (EU) comes into effect. That impacts nearly a quarter of India's oil purchases that come at a discount, helping limit marketing losses for India's state refiners and enabling New Delhi to manage inflation by freezing pump prices of motor fuels. In September, India imported 1 million barrels a day or 24 per cent of its overall imports from Russia, which became the biggest supplier of oil to India.

Ukraine crisis: How govt plans to export wheat

Ukraine crisis: How govt plans to export wheat

Rediff.com11 Mar 2022

India is looking to tap its diplomatic missions abroad to enable grain exporters in the country to ship out wheat and corn as supplies from Russia and Ukraine are expected to remain disrupted for some time to come. Between the two items, pushing for wheat is easier because of a huge domestic surplus. "We are hand holding our exporters and support from various Indian missions abroad is also being channelised accordingly," a senior government official said. Global wheat prices have jumped since the Ukraine crisis started, with wheat futures in the US reaching their highest levels since 2008.

GAIL feels blowback from Ukraine war

GAIL feels blowback from Ukraine war

Rediff.com17 Aug 2022

On February 24, when Vladimir Putin announced a military operation on Ukraine, few would have thought that Indian government-owned GAIL India would feel the impact. The tensions over gas supplies were essentially a Europe-Russia problem, related to the sanctions western economies imposed on Moscow. But the EU depends on Russian imports for 40 per cent of its gas stocks, an over-dependence that Russia has underlined with Kremlin-owned Gazprom cutting its supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to 20 per cent, citing maintenance issues.

'PM should resist bureaucratic influence'

'PM should resist bureaucratic influence'

Rediff.com25 Jun 2022

'It seems the action against Nupur was because the vice president was in Qatar and officials in his secretariat did not want any embarrassment.'

Coronavirus fears halt export of buffalo meat

Coronavirus fears halt export of buffalo meat

Rediff.com15 Mar 2020

Since 2013-14, buffalo meat had been the largest export item in the agri commodity basket for a few years. Since the coronavirus outbreak in January, Indian exporters have received no fresh orders from Southeast Asian and West Asian countries, which cumulatively contribute nearly 65 per cent of India's overall buffalo meat shipment.

'I'm waiting for my appointment letter'

'I'm waiting for my appointment letter'

Rediff.com30 May 2022

Hundreds of pilots are staring at a long wait to get the job of their dreams after completing the course, the cost of which runs to Rs 1 crore.

When India and Pakistan took a common stand!

When India and Pakistan took a common stand!

Rediff.com30 Oct 2018

Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka are the other SAFF nations to severe ties with South West Asian Football Federation on the eve of the Asian Football Confederation Congress in Kuala Lumpur.

Global operations key trigger for Godrej Consumer

Global operations key trigger for Godrej Consumer

Rediff.com14 Apr 2021

While domestic market growth is important, the sales trajectory in the international markets, which account for 45 per cent of the revenues, will be a key rerating trigger, say analysts.

India's Russian revolution: Why refiners are buying more Russian crude

India's Russian revolution: Why refiners are buying more Russian crude

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

India may see a structural shift in supplies of crude oil with Russia emerging as a key source of fuels, a development that reduces New Delhi's dependence on West Asian oil, gives Indian refiners better bargaining power with price-setter Saudi Arabia, and improves overall energy security. The unexpected surge in supplies of Russian crude in the last few months, unthinkable until the war in Ukraine, may also deliver other unforeseen gains such as boosting exports of refined fuels to Europe, which historically has counted on Russian shipments. India has jumped on to the bandwagon of opportunistic buying of Russian crude but if calibrated carefully, Urals crude can be a long-term asset for India refiners.

Indian sprinters on verge of missing Olympic qualifier

Indian sprinters on verge of missing Olympic qualifier

Rediff.com28 Apr 2021

The Athletics Federation of India is trying to book an alternate flight available to any European city en route to Silesia in Poland

Iran set to topple Russia as India's largest tea importer

Iran set to topple Russia as India's largest tea importer

Rediff.com5 Dec 2019

Under the trade agreement between India and Iran, the West Asian country can pay India in rupees for its imports against oil exports to India, which New Delhi pays for in Iranian rial.

India Inc braces for fallout of Russia-Ukraine crisis

India Inc braces for fallout of Russia-Ukraine crisis

Rediff.com23 Feb 2022

Stocks of Indian companies with exposure to Europe fell on Tuesday amid concerns about the impact on their sales in case the Russia-Ukraine crisis worsens and the US and its allies impose economic sanctions on Russia. While top conglomerates, including Reliance Industries, the Tata group, and Aditya Birla Group, said they did not have any significant exposure to Russia, executives of some of the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and tea companies said they were monitoring the situation closely as they earned substantial income from the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered troops into two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine after announcing that Russia would recognise their independence.

Modi embarks on 4-day visit to West Asia

Modi embarks on 4-day visit to West Asia

Rediff.com9 Feb 2018

The prime minister's visit will begin from Palestine on February 10 after transiting through Jordan, where he will meet King Abdullah II.

What Indian Music Should Airlines Play?

What Indian Music Should Airlines Play?

Rediff.com15 Jan 2022

So should airlines play the keening, trance-like Siddi folk music from the Kutch peninsula? The Sufiana Kalam of Kashmir? Carnatic music? Rabindra Sangeet? Bihu melodies? Classical music from the Hindustani gharanas? Ghazals? Bhajans? Bollywood hits?... asks Kanika Datta.

Would Putin Have Attacked Had Ukraine Kept Its N-Bombs?

Would Putin Have Attacked Had Ukraine Kept Its N-Bombs?

Rediff.com9 Mar 2022

Would Ukraine be such a pushover if it had that nuclear stockpile?' asks Shekhar Gupta.

Rs 411 cr loan defaulters flee India, SBI complains after 4 years

Rs 411 cr loan defaulters flee India, SBI complains after 4 years

Rediff.com9 May 2020

According to the complaint filed by SBI, the account had become non-performing asset on January 27, 2016.

WC qualifiers: Gurpreet heroics in vain as 10-man India lose to Qatar

WC qualifiers: Gurpreet heroics in vain as 10-man India lose to Qatar

Rediff.com4 Jun 2021

A winless India remained in fourth spot in the group with three points from six matches. India are already out of contention for a World Cup berth but they are still in the reckoning for the 2023 Asian Cup.

Crucial fertiliser shortage may pinch farmers

Crucial fertiliser shortage may pinch farmers

Rediff.com9 Nov 2021

Enthused by rising potato prices after a prolonged slump, Pradeep Sharma was planning to sow the crop on his 15-acre farm near Agra slightly earlier than usual. The delayed departure of the southwest monsoon also prompted his decision, since the good soil moisture would have saved at least one initial irrigation. But the acute shortage of diammonium phosphate (DAP), a crucial nutrient ahead of the sowing season for potatoes, nipped those hopes in the bud. DAP is the second-most used fertiliser in the country after urea.

Taliban: Time for India to think BOLD

Taliban: Time for India to think BOLD

Rediff.com25 Aug 2021

Like China, India too should connect the dots and move ahead with a long-term perspective in Afghanistan, advises Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

WC qualifiers: Argentina held by Chile; Aus win

WC qualifiers: Argentina held by Chile; Aus win

Rediff.com4 Jun 2021

Earlier in the day, Bolivia beat Venezuela 3-1 at home and Uruguay and Paraguay drew 0-0 in Montevideo.

Why the Iran nuclear deal is an economic breather

Why the Iran nuclear deal is an economic breather

Rediff.com29 Nov 2013

Recently, Iran and western powers signed a deal in which it was agreed the West Asian nation would scale down its nuclear programme in exchange for a cut in economic sanctions.

Oil and gas price volatility likely to continue in 2021

Oil and gas price volatility likely to continue in 2021

Rediff.com4 Jan 2021

A swift recovery in oil demand in India is not only helping the stability of the global market, it is giving huge fiscal headroom to the government in terms of additional excise duty.

Jio Platforms deals a big boost for PE investments

Jio Platforms deals a big boost for PE investments

Rediff.com2 Jul 2020

Investments totaling over $9.5 billion in Jio Platforms by a clutch of private equity firms, following social media giant Facebook's $5.7 billion mid-April investment in the company, helped overall.

India's Submarine Dilemma

India's Submarine Dilemma

Rediff.com7 Oct 2021

Hydrography (underwater geography) prevents the Indian Navy for opting for an all-conventional, or all-nuclear submarine fleet.

Rise and Rise of Qatar in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

Rise and Rise of Qatar in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

Rediff.com1 Sep 2021

Considering that Qatar is a trusted ally of Washington for decades, it is expected to be a steady influence on the Taliban leadership, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Foreign fighters in Syria have moved to other places: India at UNSC

Foreign fighters in Syria have moved to other places: India at UNSC

Rediff.com21 Jan 2021

India has expressed concern that foreign fighters involved in the conflict in Syria have moved to other places as mercenaries, as New Delhi underlined that it is ready to play a constructive role in the Security Council to help realise the objective of the West Asian country reclaiming its place in the comity of nations.

PM Modi arrives in Oman on two-day visit

PM Modi arrives in Oman on two-day visit

Rediff.com11 Feb 2018

India and Oman have thriving links rooted in centuries old people-to-people exchanges, Modi had said.

What are locusts? And why are they such a big menace?

What are locusts? And why are they such a big menace?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2020

Swarms of immature pink locusts and adult yellow locusts are currrently active. Not only are fresh locusts swarms expected to arrive in the coming weeks, but even those already present in India have mated and are breeding new offspring.

Iran's coronavirus outbreak leads to cheaper basmati

Iran's coronavirus outbreak leads to cheaper basmati

Rediff.com1 Mar 2020

Following the outbreak, Iran has stopped Indian basmati shipments. This has led to exports already falling 18-20 per cent this fiscal year. Iran and the rest of West Asia account for the largest imports of Indian basmati, and comprise more than 30 per cent of the shipments.