While welcoming the landmark victory of Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Sri Lankan presidential polls, the United States has underlined the need for a 'thorough' probe into 'possible violation' of election laws.
The Barack Obama administration has said the meeting of foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan, held in New Delhi on Thursday, is a 'courageous' step by the leaders of the two neighbouring countries. "We certainly commend the leadership of political courage and making sure that the meeting takes place. Now, the challenge is to build on this going forward," said Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley.
The United States said it expected full cooperation from Pakistan in its investigations related to the Times Square bomb case, in which prime suspect Faisal Shahzad has told federal authorities that he received bomb-making training in Waziristan.
"Our understanding is, it was a very positive cordial meeting. There were the pledges of further conversation by their Foreign Ministers. We are very encouraged by it," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley, told PTI.
The United States is talking to both India and Pakistan about their nuclear programmes, a top Obama Administration official has said.
Notwithstanding concerns raised by the Pakistan government and its powerful military, the United States on Tuesday defended the $7.5 billion aid bill, saying there is nothing in the legislation, which impinges on the sovereignty of Pakistan.
It is "too premature" to talk about the extradition of US national David Coleman Headley to India for his alleged role in Mumbai terror attacks, a top Obama Administration official has said.
"We certainly have encouraged and continue to encourage Pakistan to fully investigate the Mumbai attacks, and even more importantly, bring those responsible before their judicial system," the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, P J Crowley, said.
Despite Pakistan re-imposing restrictions on the movement of A Q Khan, the United States today said the maligned nuclear scientist remains a proliferation risk.
Alleging that Iran is evading its international responsibilities, the Obama Administration has accused Tehran of indulging in "rope-a-dope diplomacy".
The United States has asked Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attack, which killed over 160 people including six Americans, to justice. India and the US have maintained that terrorist leaders based in Pakistan were responsible for the strike. "We believe the government of Pakistan should continue its investigation, to ensure that all those who are responsible for the attack are in fact brought to justice," said the State Department.
The United States is building a deeper relationship with both India and Pakistan which are facing the common threat of terrorism in the region, a top Obama administration official has said.
The United States on Wednesday said that any fallout due to striking down of the National Reconciliation Ordinance by Pakistan's Supreme Court is an 'internal matter' of that country and it will not 'try to get in the middle of it'. "This is really an internal matter for the Pakistani government," said Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley.He was replying to a question on the political developments in Pakistan.
The next Census' findings will help identify the extent of India's ageing population and vulnerability levels.
Encouraged by the possibility of talks between India and Pakistan, the Obama administration has said the two south Asian neighbours share a number of important interests -- from tackling terrorism to encouraging trade.
The US plans to increase its aid workers and embassy staff in Pakistan remains stalled, with Washington expressing concern at the continued delay in issuance and extending of visas for hundreds of its officials. "I think it remains an issue of concern that we are continuing to talk to the government of Pakistan about," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley told reporters at his daily news conference in Washington.
Responding to "serious" American concerns about illegal modifications made by Pakistan to the US-made harpoon anti-ship missiles that could target India, Islamabad has agreed for "mutual inspections" of the weapon system.
'Horrific act of terror that the people of Israel are waking up to this morning. AG Pam Bondi called to let me know and was at the scene. 2 dead in shooting targeting Israeli embassy staffers outside Jewish Museum in Washington DC'
Hours after Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that his country "qualifies" for a civilian nuclear deal with the US, like that of India, the Obama Administration in a blunt message told it that such a deal is not on platter of its talks with Islamabad.
Even though India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Obama Administration said on Wednesday that New Delhi had a key role to play in strengthening of global nuclear non-proliferation regime.
The Obama administration has praised Pakistan for the high-profile arrests it has made in the recent past, in particular those of the top Taliban leaders.
The US has said it is in communication with both India and Pakistan on the case of Lashkar-e-Tayiba operatives David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who were arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in October on charges of plotting terror attacks against Indian facilities.
Citing assaults from hackers on its computer systems and China's attempts to 'limit free speech on the Web', Google in a statement said on Tuesday it would stop cooperating with Chinese Internet censorship and consider shutting down its operations in China.
The US discusses the Kashmir issue with India and Pakistan, but it has to be ultimately resolved by both the countries with "active involvement" of Kashmiris, a top American official has said. "We understand the importance of the Kashmir issue to both Pakistan and India, and it is something that we do discuss with both countries," the assistant secretary of state for public affairs P J Crowley said at a news briefing.
...the DMK chief minister's campaign -- which includes criticism of the BJP's 'pro-Hindutva, anti-Tamil, anti-federal' policies and building on his own government's social welfare programmes targeting especially women and youth -- appeals to Tamil Nadu's voters in next year's assembly election, explains N Sathiya Moorthy.
So far, over 30 people have died across Northeastern states due to heavy rainfalls, floods and landslides, according to media reports.
United States President Donald Trump for the fourth time in recent days claimed that the Biden administration allocated $21 million funding to India for 'voter turnout', evoking a sharp response from the Congress which urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to 'talk to his friend' and strongly refute the allegation.
'One good outcome of Operation Sindoor -- perhaps, its best outcome -- could be that India has resumed meaningful contact directly with Pakistan at the military-to-military level,' observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
'The BJP lacks a credible mass leader who matches Mamata Banerjee's popularity.' 'Given the division of votes among Opposition parties, the West Bengal government's dole-giving strategy, and the consolidation of the poor, significant sections of scheduled caste groups and Muslim minorities behind the ruling party, it will be difficult to dislodge the Trinamool from power.'
The Delhi high court on Monday directed Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale on Monday to apologise and pay Rs 50 lakh damages to former diplomat Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, wife of Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, for his defamatory tweets against her over the purchase of a property in Switzerland.
'There is no question that Putin's preference will be to avoid unpleasantness with Trump, leave alone a collision course,' observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
In New Delhi, Singh will continue US administration's ongoing consultations with India, and advance a range of issues in the US-India economic relationship and strategic partnership.
Verma, 54, who served as a former US ambassador to India from January 16, 2015, to January 20, 2017 is currently the chief legal officer and head of global public policy at Mastercard.
Blinken will also attend a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Quad grouping and will hold bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in Delhi.
The Government of India amended the General Financial Rules 2017 to enable imposition of restrictions on bidders from countries which share a land border with India on grounds of defence of India, or matters directly or indirectly related thereto including national security, an official statement said.
The National Informatics Centre uses AI to automate document analysis and detect fraud in government departments.
In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Friday agreed to consider the separate pleas of opposition-ruled Kerala and West Bengal, alleging the denial of assent to bills passed by the respective legislative assemblies.
The World Bank's executive board unanimously selected 63-year-old Malpass, who is currently Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs, as the bank's 13th President for a five-year term beginning April 9.
Former Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Karl F Inderfurth, has told the US Congress that Washington should publicly support India's bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, arguing that the India's case has never been stronger.
A host of conspiracy theories followed, involving Indira Gandhi, her younger son Sanjay, his favourite small car project, secret funding of the Bangladesh Mukti Bahini and even the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States.
