News for 'Agency for Development and Cooperation'

US aid to Pakistan is no panacea, but neither are sanctions

US aid to Pakistan is no panacea, but neither are sanctions

Rediff.com9 Sep 2016

After weighing all the costs and benefits, the next administration is likely to reduce and restructure assistance to Pakistan but not to end it altogether, says Daniel S Markey.

Budget unveils initiatives to boost growth, empower India

Budget unveils initiatives to boost growth, empower India

Rediff.com28 Feb 2015

NDA government has shunned populism.

Escort services: Sex on the Internet, a Rs 600 cr business

Escort services: Sex on the Internet, a Rs 600 cr business

Rediff.com16 Aug 2016

Despite the government crackdown on Web sites advertising escort services, the Internet leaves enough wiggle room for debauchery to thrive.

Modi continues to play into Pakistan's hands

Modi continues to play into Pakistan's hands

Rediff.com9 Mar 2016

'The attack on the Pathankot base constituted an act of war. Yet Modi's only public comment up until now on that attack has been to blame it on "enemies of humanity".' 'Modi came to power talking tough about Pakistan. But in office, he has pursued a Pakistan policy that has lost both direction and purpose,' argues Brahma Chellaney.

'Kashmiris are going nowhere'

'Kashmiris are going nowhere'

Rediff.com21 Jun 2017

'Their redemption is here. Definitely not in Pakistan.' 'They know if they step 20 steps on the other side of the Line of Control they will never return.' 'They will be ill treated.'

UN endorses Iran nuclear deal, paves way to lift sanctions

UN endorses Iran nuclear deal, paves way to lift sanctions

Rediff.com20 Jul 2015

The powerful United Nations Security Council on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution that endorses the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers.

Trianmool's new A team: Mukul Roy kept at bay

Trianmool's new A team: Mukul Roy kept at bay

Rediff.com14 Feb 2015

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Saturday carried out a major reshuffle in the party set-up

Database State to Surveillance State

Database State to Surveillance State

Rediff.com31 Jan 2017

The plan of UID/Aadhaar-based surveillance does not end with the collection of fingerprints and iris scan, it goes quite beyond it and poses a lethal threat to the idea of India, says Gopal Krishna.

Flooded yet 'dry': The great Bihar paradox

Flooded yet 'dry': The great Bihar paradox

Rediff.com25 Aug 2016

Let Bihar be damned under its contradictions of having gone 'dry' and then having been submerged under flood, which is a recurrent phenomena? After all it is a godforsaken land, having lost its promises of overcoming its problems, says Mohammad Sajjad.

At UN, Pope appeals to the moral conscience of man

At UN, Pope appeals to the moral conscience of man

Rediff.com25 Sep 2015

Pope Francis on Friday called upon the world community to put aside their "partisan interests and sincerely strive to serve the common good".

'We expect some hiccups with Trump'

'We expect some hiccups with Trump'

Rediff.com27 Mar 2017

'There will be some issues of contention, especially on H1B visa and on trade policy.'

India's relations with the US must not be one-sided

India's relations with the US must not be one-sided

Rediff.com20 Jan 2015

'It is in the interest of both sides that the visit of the US President is seen as being successful. Both sides have invested considerable political capital in it. This rapid exchange of visits and the decisions taken have to be justified, beyond the symbolism, which is no doubt important in itself. This opportunity to impart a fresh momentum to ties should not be missed,' says former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal.

What Modi can expect from Trump

What Modi can expect from Trump

Rediff.com27 Feb 2017

'Trump's stated strong stance against Islamist extremism and terrorism could play into the Indo-US relationship.' 'It could mould US attitude and exert pressure on Pakistan.' 'In the event of US military presence in Afghanistan increasing, however, Pakistan could gain an opportunity to again emphasise its importance.'

How to avoid a two-and-a-half front war

How to avoid a two-and-a-half front war

Rediff.com20 Jul 2017

'When war is thrust on you as in 1962 and 1965 or is tempting as in 1971, ensure that all other fronts are kept quiet, leaving your army free to deal with one,' says Shekhar Gupta.

The last village in 'our' Arunachal

The last village in 'our' Arunachal

Rediff.com24 Feb 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh on Friday, February 20, irritated the Chinese government so much that it summoned the Indian ambassador to register its protest against Modi visiting a territory China claims as Southern Tibet.

'Obama won't promise Modi $100 billion'

'Obama won't promise Modi $100 billion'

Rediff.com29 Sep 2014

'India is going to maintain its ties to China, India is going to develop a strong relationship with the United States. It means that India is going to have the flexibility to pick and choose its friends.' 'That's traditional Indian foreign policy, and it's smart.' Former US ambassador to India Frank Wisner, one of America's sharpest minds on South Asia, tells Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com what Washington can expect from Narendra Modi's visit.

Corporate spying: 2 oil ministry staff among 5 held

Corporate spying: 2 oil ministry staff among 5 held

Rediff.com19 Feb 2015

More arrests are likely in this case, being probed by the elite crime branch, in the next couple of days.

Fighting black money: Modi has failed to keep his promise

Fighting black money: Modi has failed to keep his promise

Rediff.com11 Apr 2016

In his massive election rallies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi often caught voters fancy promising that each individual would get Rs 15-20 lakh in his bank account if he came to power.

Egypt Islamists arrested, protesters call mass demonstration

Egypt Islamists arrested, protesters call mass demonstration

Rediff.com30 Jul 2013

Daring the military-backed government, supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi have called for a "million person march" tomorrow against his ouster, even as police today arrested two top leaders of an Islamist party in a widening crackdown on protesters.

Gadkari's grand plan: Rs 3 lakh cr of road projects in 6 months

Gadkari's grand plan: Rs 3 lakh cr of road projects in 6 months

Rediff.com19 May 2015

The public-private partnership model is a compulsion, says the minister.

Modi's 'Americayan' will be a success

Modi's 'Americayan' will be a success

Rediff.com26 Sep 2014

'Unlike Japan and China, the US has a long relationship with India. He is going there to fly the Indian flag in a gesture of friendship. This is a journey like none other, meant to signal that the two democracies are in a defining relationship of the 21st century.'

Corporate espionage: Executives got Cabinet notes at Rs 1 lakh/month

Corporate espionage: Executives got Cabinet notes at Rs 1 lakh/month

Rediff.com22 Feb 2015

Executives would analyse information and pass it to seniors.

Why Mudra Bank is a major landmark in our growth process

Why Mudra Bank is a major landmark in our growth process

Rediff.com24 Mar 2015

For the first time in our economic history a government has thought about more than 50 per cent of our economic activity instead of the five per cent represented by the Sensex companies, observes IIM-B professor R Vaidyanathan.

The man who cracked the Rs 3,700 crore online scam

The man who cracked the Rs 3,700 crore online scam

Rediff.com10 Feb 2017

With just 10 detectives under his leadership and in about three weeks' time, Senior Superintendent of Police of Uttar Pradesh's Special Task Force Amit Pathak cracked an online digital racket that swindled 600,000 people and is now worth Rs 3,700 crore and counting.

Miss India Grand scores 97.25 per cent

Miss India Grand scores 97.25 per cent

Rediff.com2 Jun 2017

Pankhuri Gidwani took a year's break to focus on the pageant, but scored brilliantly in her CBSE Class 12 exams this year.

'It is refreshing to deal with Modi'

'It is refreshing to deal with Modi'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2015

'Modi's investment in the relationship with Washington is the biggest deliverable of this visit. He means business and that's fantastic!'

Why India must not tinker with B'desh border deal

Why India must not tinker with B'desh border deal

Rediff.com6 May 2015

By revising the India-Bangladesh land boundary agreement, the NDA is going for short-term gains and losing the long-term perspective, says Gautam Sen.

Mr Modi, be wary of the Chinese!

Mr Modi, be wary of the Chinese!

Rediff.com12 May 2015

'Chinese leaders rarely receive their foreign guests in cities other than Beijing. Such respect for India!' 'Does it mean that Modi could replicate "the warmth and unconventional way" by sending Indian troops into Tibet, as Xi did in Chumur (Ladakh) when he arrived in India? Of course, Indians are far too polite to do so,' says Claude Arpi.

Exclusive:'This is a visit the President has been anticipating'

Exclusive:'This is a visit the President has been anticipating'

Rediff.com26 Sep 2014

'The threat that India faces and the threat the United States faces is not just to the homeland, but to our people and to our institutions wherever they may be.' In an exclusive conversation with Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com, US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Desai Biswal outlines the importance of Prime Minister Modi's visit for America.

India can generate 27,000 MW of nuclear power in 10 years: PM

India can generate 27,000 MW of nuclear power in 10 years: PM

Rediff.com3 Jan 2014

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday batted for nuclear power as a "dependable and clean option", even as he underlined the need to ensure that all ingredients by which nuclear fuel is made remain safe and do not fall in the hands of terrorists and anti-social elements.

Modi woos investors; promises 'predictable' tax regime in India

Modi woos investors; promises 'predictable' tax regime in India

Rediff.com13 Apr 2015

20 Indian CEOs and 350 companies are participating in the Hannover Fair.

India's new security agenda

India's new security agenda

Rediff.com23 Jun 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initial weeks in office and the composition of his national security team give a sense of his government's foreign policy and national security priorities, says Harsh V Pant

'US wants Haqqanis, not Saeed'

'US wants Haqqanis, not Saeed'

Rediff.com9 Jan 2018

'Perhaps the biggest indication was its striking decision in November to delink LeT from its aid certification process.' 'The administration decided that the US, in order to send military aid to Pakistan, would not need to certify that Pakistan is cracking down on LeT.' 'Perhaps the administration was trying to offer a carrot -- in effect, we're backing off on LeT, but in return we expect you (Pakistan) to go after the Haqqanis.' 'Either way, the optics were dreadful for the US given that Hafiz Saeed was released from house arrest a few days after the US move.' 'The US reacted angrily, but eventually it moved on, and refocused on its core concern: The Afghan-focused terror groups.'

G20 leaders vow to fight terror; Paris attacks take centre stage

G20 leaders vow to fight terror; Paris attacks take centre stage

Rediff.com15 Nov 2015

Paris attacks took the centre stage at the G20 Summit on Sunday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for a united global effort to combat terrorism as world leaders joined a clarion call to eliminate ISIS network.

A Budget for the Aam Aadmi, please!

A Budget for the Aam Aadmi, please!

Rediff.com19 Feb 2015

It is time to take a few macroeconomic risks to kick start the growth.

How the government is smothering dissident NGOs

How the government is smothering dissident NGOs

Rediff.com20 Jun 2014

Muzzling NGOs is unbecoming of a democracy. Self-confident democracies encourage, indeed applaud, the involvement of citizens' associations, including NGOs, in social and political decision-making and development planning. Instead, our paranoid government bullies and terrorises them, says Praful Bidwai.

Memon was hanged not because he was a Muslim, but because he participated in mass murder

Memon was hanged not because he was a Muslim, but because he participated in mass murder

Rediff.com31 Jul 2015

The tragedy is that, at least on social media, the narrative that was being lapped up by many Indian Muslims was that Yakub Memon was being victimised. The purveyors of this poisonous line of thinking of course want this sentiment to grow since communal polarisation is the primary pillar of their political strategy, says Sushant Sareen.

L'Affaire Khobragade: Unprecedented winter of discontent for India, US

L'Affaire Khobragade: Unprecedented winter of discontent for India, US

Rediff.com27 Dec 2013

'The diplomat's arrest has led to a major diplomatic spat, the likes of which I have not seen in my nearly three decades of covering the US-India relationship, says Aziz Haniffa. 'The knee-jerk reaction by the powers-that-be in Delhi was myopic to say the least.'

Inside the miserable world of India's domestic workers

Inside the miserable world of India's domestic workers

Rediff.com31 Jul 2017

'We eat first, they later; we sit on chairs and they on the floor; we call them by their names and they address us by titles,' writes Tripti Lahiri, author of Maid in India.

India-China relations can't be normal till Tibet issue is resolved

India-China relations can't be normal till Tibet issue is resolved

Rediff.com12 Sep 2014

'Tibet remains a prickly issue between the giant Asian nations. China still claims more than 80,000 sq kilometres of Indian territory in the Northeast. Why? Just because Beijing refuses to acknowledge the McMahon line which separates India and Tibet, and this, simply because the 1914 Agreement delineating the border was signed by the then government of independent Tibet with India's then foreign secretary (Sir Henry McMahon),' says Claude Arpi.