News for 'Asia Society Policy Institute'

If India takes one step towards us, we'll take two: Imran

If India takes one step towards us, we'll take two: Imran

Rediff.com26 Jul 2018

Khan said Kashmir is the 'core' issue between the two countries and it should be resolved through talks.

Sharif continues urging for US mediation in Kashmir

Sharif continues urging for US mediation in Kashmir

Rediff.com23 Oct 2013

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif continues his exhortation for US mediation in Kashmir, and harks back to his meeting with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee when the latter had agreed to a resolution of Kashmir imbroglio; senior us officials assert there is 'absolutely no change in us policy' that Kashmir has to be resolved bilaterally. Aziz Haniffa reports.

Impact investing still nascent, India must climb the ladder faster

Impact investing still nascent, India must climb the ladder faster

Rediff.com7 Apr 2015

It's time India makes social, environmental impact like its global peers

For talks to happen, Pakistan must walk away from terror: PM

For talks to happen, Pakistan must walk away from terror: PM

Rediff.com17 Jan 2017

'India alone cannot walk the path of peace. It also has to be Pakistan's journey to make,' says Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the government's geo-political flagship initiative "Raisina Dialogue-II".

World's 10 freest economies, India lags behind

World's 10 freest economies, India lags behind

Rediff.com29 Jan 2015

Hong Kong is the world's freest economy according to the Index of Economic Freedom 2015.

'For 1,400 years India led the world in science'

'For 1,400 years India led the world in science'

Rediff.com15 Dec 2020

'Some Indians take the extreme view that everything was known to our ancients, but others go to the opposite extreme and consider everything Indian was superstition and rubbish.' 'Indian science was perhaps more rational than the European science of the time.'

Full text of Modi's address to US Congress

Full text of Modi's address to US Congress

Rediff.com8 Jun 2016

Here's the full text of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the United States Congress.

Trade war is Trump's bid to halt China's rise

Trade war is Trump's bid to halt China's rise

Rediff.com28 Sep 2018

Chinese observers believe the Sino-US relationship will be impacted by issues in North Korea, Japan, India, Ukraine and Iran and that conflicts with these 'third parties' will without exception ultimately become conflicts between China and the US, points out former RA&W officer Jayadeva Ranade.

India refuses to endorse BRI, mounts veiled attack on Pak

India refuses to endorse BRI, mounts veiled attack on Pak

Rediff.com24 Apr 2018

"Terrorism is an enemy of the basic human rights: of life, peace and prosperity," Swaraj said.

How much does India really spend on defence?

How much does India really spend on defence?

Rediff.com27 Apr 2015

No one really knows what proportion of the nation's wealth and income are available for defence

FULL TEXT: Pranab's address at RSS headquarters

FULL TEXT: Pranab's address at RSS headquarters

Rediff.com7 Jun 2018

The soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance. This plurality of our society has come through assimilation of ideas over centuries. Secularism and inclusion are a matter of faith for us. It is our composite culture which makes us into one nation.

The Indian Spring: Lessons for the world

The Indian Spring: Lessons for the world

Rediff.com30 Dec 2013

The Indian Spring represented by Anna Hazare's anti-corruption campaign, which has culminated in the Aam Aadmi Party's impressive electoral debut in New Delhi, began around the same time as the Arab Spring in 2011 but they led to different outcomes in India and the Arab world, says Ramesh Ramachandran.

PM@UNESCO: Our world is a better place because of UN

PM@UNESCO: Our world is a better place because of UN

Rediff.com10 Apr 2015

PM Modi addressed a crowded UNESCO gathering, speaking of the importance of culture.

Committed to provide transparent, predictable tax regime: PM

Committed to provide transparent, predictable tax regime: PM

Rediff.com21 Nov 2015

"Reform is not an end in itself. Reform for me is just a way station on the long journey to the destination. The destination is the transformation of India," he said.

'We can no more do away with the Mughals than we can do away with the British'

'We can no more do away with the Mughals than we can do away with the British'

Rediff.com26 Oct 2017

'There are so many dimensions to history that we need to attend to: We need more space for local and regional histories; we need to delve into the histories of particular communities; we need to emphasise gender history and environmental history.' 'We need to think about India's history beyond India's current borders.'

How India's young innovators do well by doing good

How India's young innovators do well by doing good

Rediff.com25 May 2018

'Let me talk about young Indian startups with their hearts in the right place and how they are proving that innovations that represent 'affordable excellence' -- breaking the myth that 'affordability' and 'excellence' cannot go together -- is indeed possible!' says Dr R A Mashelkar, the eminent scientist, in this fascinating feature.

Why India's construction slowdown threatens to increase poverty

Why India's construction slowdown threatens to increase poverty

Rediff.com10 May 2016

The construction sector is now India's second-largest employer after agriculture, the trend coinciding with India's high-growth phase and decline in poverty levels

Why a PR agency cannot fulfill Modi's Swachh Bharat dream

Why a PR agency cannot fulfill Modi's Swachh Bharat dream

Rediff.com22 Jul 2016

Gimmicks such as appointing high-profile brand ambassadors like Sachin Tendulkar will not work.

'We know India can run -- judging by cricket -- but can it fly?'

'We know India can run -- judging by cricket -- but can it fly?'

Rediff.com18 Mar 2015

The elements are all aligned to make India a global powerhouse, says IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

The danger signal from the Muzaffarnagar riots

The danger signal from the Muzaffarnagar riots

Rediff.com19 Sep 2013

It is rare for communal riots to spread to rural areas. The UP riot is the first time after the September 1969 Gujarat riots that a rural area have been affected. Electoral politics which divide society in majority/minority, going on since the early 1990s, is a major contributing factor to this heightened tension between communities, says Colonel (retd) Anil Athale in the first of a two part series.

The people are silent

The people are silent

Rediff.com27 Jul 2015

We're behaving like frogs in warm water. We swim around untroubled, cooled by our faith in Indian liberal democracy. We are blind to the bubbles popping around us, the bubbles warning of fundamental changes, says Mihir S Sharma.

'Imagine the signal India would send if it joined the coalition to confront ISIS'

'Imagine the signal India would send if it joined the coalition to confront ISIS'

Rediff.com10 Sep 2014

'The US wants Modi to succeed because we want India to succeed. For our part, when India thinks of its partners in the world, we want it to think of the US first. That means positioning our country as the preferred provider of the key inputs that can help to propel India's rise.' 'The meeting between Modi and Obama is, and must be, an opportunity for true strategic dialogue -- not a scripted exchange of talking points, but an open discussion of the big questions. What kind of world do we want to live in? What are our true priorities? And most importantly, why does this partnership still matter?'

The Power of Assured Indian Innovation

The Power of Assured Indian Innovation

Rediff.com25 May 2018

Can we make high speed 4G Internet available at 10 cents per GB, and make all voice calls free of cost -- that too in a large and diverse country like India? Can we make high-quality but simple breast cancer screening available to every woman, that too at the extremely affordable cost of $1 per scan? Can we make a portable, high-tech ECG machine which can provide reports immediately and that too at the cost of 8 cents a test? Can we make an eye imaging device that is portable, non-invasive and costs 3 times less that conventional devices? Can we make a robust test for mosquito-borne dengue, which can detect the disease on day 1, and that too at the cost of $2 per test? Amazingly, says Dr R A Mashelkar, the eminent scientist, all this has been achieved in India, not only by using technological innovation but also non-technological innovation.

She wants to raise Rs 20 crore to save refugees

She wants to raise Rs 20 crore to save refugees

Rediff.com11 Sep 2015

Moved by three-year-old Aylan Kurdi's death, Vidhya Ramalingam has kick-started a crowd-funding campaign to buy a rescue ship for immediate action in the Mediterranean.

Why India needs a national security strategy

Why India needs a national security strategy

Rediff.com17 Jun 2016

'Ensuring through diplomatic means and in conjunction with strategic partners that India will not be required to fight a simultaneous two-front war with China and Pakistan.' Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd) lists what India must have in its national security strategy.

TCS@50: Why India must be in eternal debt to F C Kohli

TCS@50: Why India must be in eternal debt to F C Kohli

Rediff.com31 Mar 2018

50 years ago, on April 1, 1968, Tata Consultancy Services -- now India's leading IT company -- was born. The foundation for TCS was laid by Faqir Chand Kohli whose life touched directly or indirectly many, many, Indians, says Shivanand Kanavi.

'ISI has encouraged, trained, funded terrorists'

'ISI has encouraged, trained, funded terrorists'

Rediff.com26 Feb 2019

'The Pakistani military has encouraged and supported terrorist organisations, especially in Kashmir, as a means of waging proxy war against the Indian military and the country's superior economic resources.' 'The evidence is irrefutable with the recent killing of 46 paramilitary troops being just the latest example.'

'Old friend is better than 2 new friends': India, Russia sign 16 key pacts in Goa

'Old friend is better than 2 new friends': India, Russia sign 16 key pacts in Goa

Rediff.com15 Oct 2016

Big ticket defence deals including purchase of missile systems, frigates and joint production of helicopters were sealed on Saturday.

Dalai Lama snub and India's plans to reset China ties

Dalai Lama snub and India's plans to reset China ties

Rediff.com8 Mar 2018

'If, as appears to be the case, India is on way to 'mending fences' with China, and China is equally desirous to 'reset' the relationship, this could be a self-reflexive moment in India's positioning vis-a-vis not just the Dalai Lama, but also the Tibetan issue and China as a whole,' points out China expert Alka Acharya.

'Modi is taking a big risk'

'Modi is taking a big risk'

Rediff.com20 Jul 2015

'When he first came to office, my belief is that the PM's reading of the landscape was that, with a vanquished Congress and fragmented Opposition, he was looking at least at two terms in office. This reading perhaps allows for a more cautious, gradual approach.' 'It was only a matter of time before the government was forced to come face-to-face with a serious corruption scandal. This is not a commentary on the BJP, but a statement about India's political economy.' 'There is growing concern about the government's commitment to freedom of expression, religious tolerance, and an independent civil society. Thus far, the positive movement on strategic and economic matters has crowded out these concerns, but they are lingering beneath the surface.'

Our relationship has overcome hesitations of history: Modi to US Congress

Our relationship has overcome hesitations of history: Modi to US Congress

Rediff.com9 Jun 2016

Praising the US for turning barriers into bridges of partnership, he said that America had stood with India when the support was needed the most, like when terrorists attacked Mumbai in November 2008 and in other economic endeavours as well

COPD: 2nd biggest cause for deaths in India

COPD: 2nd biggest cause for deaths in India

Rediff.com5 Feb 2019

'COPD causes an economic loss of Rs 35,000 crores.' 'We cannot afford to lose such a huge amount due to one disease.' 'COPD is a non-communicable disease and that's why it remained low in priority.' 'The time is right to shift the focus to COPD as HIV/AIDS and TB are under control. 'This badly neglected disease has become the second largest cause for deaths in India.' 'It is time for us to wake up and give due importance to this disease.'

Full text: What Modi, Obama agreed on

Full text: What Modi, Obama agreed on

Rediff.com25 Jan 2015

This is the joint statement issued by the ministry of external affairs on the visit of US President Barack Obama to India.

Did you know Nehru was first PM to address US Congress?

Did you know Nehru was first PM to address US Congress?

Rediff.com1 Jun 2016

'India may be new to world politics and her military strength insignificant in comparison with that of the giants of our epoch.' 'But India is old in thought and experience and has travelled through trackless centuries in the adventure of life.' 'Throughout her long history she has stood for peace and every prayer that an Indian raises, ends with an invocation to peace.' Jawaharlal Nehru's memorable speech to the United States Congress.

PM suggests 8 areas where India, China can cooperate

PM suggests 8 areas where India, China can cooperate

Rediff.com24 Oct 2013

Following is the full text of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's speech at the Central Party School in Beijing on Thursday:

Modi and Obama set out to create a model for the world

Modi and Obama set out to create a model for the world

Rediff.com1 Oct 2014

Moving ahead with their new mantra -- Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together We Go -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday vowed to deepen cooperation in every sector for the benefit of global stability and people's livelihoods over the next ten years.

Make in India is fine; Modi must first resolve domestic issues

Make in India is fine; Modi must first resolve domestic issues

Rediff.com3 Feb 2015

Make in India has few advantages and some disadvatnages too.

'Nehru should have quit in the late 1950s'

'Nehru should have quit in the late 1950s'

Rediff.com18 May 2014

To mark his 50th death anniversary, rediff.com has launched a special series to evaluate Jawaharlal Nehru's legacy.

Women take back Bengaluru

Women take back Bengaluru

Rediff.com6 Feb 2017

They are shaken by the mass molestation in the city on New Year's Eve. But they are not waiting to be rescued. Nikita Puri reports.

Religion should be delinked from terror: PM in Malaysia

Religion should be delinked from terror: PM in Malaysia

Rediff.com22 Nov 2015

Addressing the Indian diaspora on the second day of his three-day visit to Malaysia, Modi said India draws strength from its diversity and that his government is working to create an environment where enterprise flourishes and everybody gets basic needs like roof, sanitation, water, health care and education.