News for 'Central Asia Bureau'

US announces grant of $500k to NGO to promote religious freedom in India

US announces grant of $500k to NGO to promote religious freedom in India

Rediff.com8 Nov 2017

The funding comes after a 2016 report found an increase in violent incidents by cow vigilantes mostly against Muslims in India and authorities often 'failed' to prosecute them.

Envoy's Arunachal visit shows our support for India's sovereignty: US

Envoy's Arunachal visit shows our support for India's sovereignty: US

Rediff.com31 Oct 2019

The envoy's "Tawang visit highlights resolute US support for Indian sovereignty and commitment to local partnerships", Alice G Wells, Acting Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of South and Central Asia, said in a tweet on Wednesday.

Obama nominates Indian American woman for key post

Obama nominates Indian American woman for key post

Rediff.com19 Jul 2013

United States President Barack Obama has nominated Nisha Desai Biswal as the new assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs.

All eyes on SCO meet after Taliban takeover

All eyes on SCO meet after Taliban takeover

Rediff.com16 Sep 2021

After two decades, the SCO appears to be at a cross-roads with the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, asserts Srikanth Kondapalli, the leading China expert.

Biden, Harris, Trump extend Diwali greetings

Biden, Harris, Trump extend Diwali greetings

Rediff.com15 Nov 2020

In a joint statement, Biden and Harris wished a happy Diwali to everyone celebrating the festival of lights across the US, India and the world.

India shouldn't be concerned: Iranian envoy on China-brokered deal

India shouldn't be concerned: Iranian envoy on China-brokered deal

Rediff.com17 Mar 2023

The China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to revive diplomatic ties should not be a matter of concern for India as the pact would provide regional stability and would be beneficial for New Delhi's interests as well, Iranian ambassador Iraj Elahi said on Friday.

How water-efficient are your home appliances?

How water-efficient are your home appliances?

Rediff.com3 Sep 2019

The highest water-use efficiency of more than $ 50 per cubic metre is in Oceania, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Israel, Denmark, Finland, and Great Britain while the lowest is in Central and South Asia, including India, at less than $ 10 per cubic metre.

China hindering India's normal patrolling along LAC: Govt

China hindering India's normal patrolling along LAC: Govt

Rediff.com22 May 2020

The MEA said it was the Chinese side that recently undertakook activities hindering India's normal patrols in the areas.

Afghanistan is done with jihad

Afghanistan is done with jihad

Rediff.com7 Sep 2021

The Taliban have the ISIS in its crosshairs. The Taliban has shown the skill to assimilate extremist elements if they are reconcilable as well as the ruthlessness to eliminate troublemakers, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar

No stay on proceedings to confirm provisional attachment of Amnesty accounts

No stay on proceedings to confirm provisional attachment of Amnesty accounts

Rediff.com28 May 2021

The Delhi high court on Friday declined to stay the proceedings with regard to confirming the provisional attachment of bank accounts of NGO Amnesty International, but said that any final order passed in the matter would not be implemented without leave of the court.

Senate confirms Nisha Desai as US asst secretary of state

Senate confirms Nisha Desai as US asst secretary of state

Rediff.com17 Oct 2013

The US Senate has confirmed Indian-American woman administrator Nisha Desai Biswal as the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, making her the first person from the community to hold the top diplomatic position.

FIFA-Interpol workshop on match fixing perils

FIFA-Interpol workshop on match fixing perils

Rediff.com8 Jan 2014

A two-day FIFA-Interpol Workshop on 'Tackling Match Fixing and Corruption in Football' will be held in the capital from January 15.

Facebook's lobbying practices in India may be probed before election

Facebook's lobbying practices in India may be probed before election

Rediff.com5 Mar 2019

The parliamentary committee on IT has recently been in the news for asking global representatives of Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram to present their views on misuse of social media platforms and its impact on citizens.

R N Ravi sworn-in as Tamil Nadu Governor

R N Ravi sworn-in as Tamil Nadu Governor

Rediff.com18 Sep 2021

Ravi, shifted from Nagaland, said he saw his new role more as an opportunity than a challenge.

CBI gets govt nod to prosecute Aakar Patel for FCRA violations

CBI gets govt nod to prosecute Aakar Patel for FCRA violations

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

The CBI had sought the sanction of the government to prosecute the international human rights organisation because of mandatory clause of Section 40 of the FCRA.

Modi Has Enormous Curiosity About The World

Modi Has Enormous Curiosity About The World

Rediff.com24 May 2022

'From the very start, PM Modi was insistent that visiting foreign leaders should be exposed to an India beyond its capital.' 'Through these experiences, he felt that the full Indian narrative would be much better understood across the world,' explains External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. A riveting excerpt from Bluekraft Digital Foundation's Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery.

No further action after attaching Amnesty India's funds, HC tells ED

No further action after attaching Amnesty India's funds, HC tells ED

Rediff.com26 Oct 2021

The Delhi High Court Tuesday restrained the Enforcement Directorate from taking any further action pursuant to the attachment of Amnesty International India's funds in connection with a money laundering case.

Amnesty International India's assets attached in PMLA case

Amnesty International India's assets attached in PMLA case

Rediff.com16 Feb 2021

The agency said in a statement that a provisional order has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act "attaching bank accounts of Amnesty International India Pvt Ltd (AIIPL) and Indians for Amnesty International Trust (IAIT)".

How BRICS Is Expanded Is Crucial

How BRICS Is Expanded Is Crucial

Rediff.com25 Jun 2022

With its political colour dominated by less than democratic trends, BRICS currently leaves some of us wondering -- where in this grouping is there an assurance that human freedom will be respected unconditionally? It would be nice to see the new members of BRICS drawn from the ranks of countries wedded to preserving and guarding human freedom, observes Shyam G Menon.

India and Iran want peaceful, stable Afghanistan: Modi

India and Iran want peaceful, stable Afghanistan: Modi

Rediff.com17 Feb 2018

PM Modi and Rouhani inked nine pacts including a lease contract for a part of Chabahar port's operation for 18 months.

FIFA postpones U-17 Women's World Cup in India due to COVID-19

FIFA postpones U-17 Women's World Cup in India due to COVID-19

Rediff.com4 Apr 2020

The women's age group showpiece was to be held at five venues in the country --Kolkata, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad and Navi Mumbai -- from November 2-21. FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup was postponed by football's governing body due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic across the globe.

Apart from INX Media, 2 other FIPB clearances that made noise

Apart from INX Media, 2 other FIPB clearances that made noise

Rediff.com10 Sep 2019

Right from the early days of liberalisation, there have been political controversies surrounding several cases that landed on the FIPB table and which, in turn, have often led to court battles.

26/11 accused may lead FBI to Qaeda terror camps

26/11 accused may lead FBI to Qaeda terror camps

Rediff.com2 Feb 2009

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has decided to question Sabahuddin and Fahim Ansari -- the prime accused in the attack on the Central Reserve Police Force camp in Rampur in January last year-- who are currently being probed for their links with the terror attack on Mumbai in November last year.The FBI will try to glean out crucial information about the working of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba in South Asia by interrogating the duo.

FIFA cancels U-17 women's World Cup in India

FIFA cancels U-17 women's World Cup in India

Rediff.com17 Nov 2020

The tournament brings together the six continental champions from across the world, with European Champions League winners Bayern Munich the first to have qualified.

Why Xi Jinping 'fixed' Jack Ma

Why Xi Jinping 'fixed' Jack Ma

Rediff.com18 Jan 2021

Alibaba's pervasive economic and social influence in China is seen as a threat to the authority of the Chinese Communist party, notes Shyam Saran.

The Best Weapon To Deal With China Is...

The Best Weapon To Deal With China Is...

Rediff.com19 Aug 2022

If you are serious about countering the Chinese threat, then the best weapon is investing in real freedom, plurality, elections and democracy. Unfortunately, it isn't an approach all Indians currently seem to agree on, asserts Shyam G Menon.

Modi-Trump Summit: 'The buzzword is going to be continuity'

Modi-Trump Summit: 'The buzzword is going to be continuity'

Rediff.com25 Jun 2017

Aziz Haniffa, who has covered every Indian Prime Minister's visit to the US since Rajiv Gandhi in 1985, gives us a peek into what's happening in Washington, DC on the eve of the Modi-Trump summit.

'India and Pakistan need to get along'

'India and Pakistan need to get along'

Rediff.com27 Oct 2017

'Whatever the two countries are doing these days, on the diplomatic front and on their borders, that hostility is not sustainable.' 'Today's world doesn't approve it.'

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: Brothers in Blood

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: Brothers in Blood

Rediff.com27 Mar 2021

At a time when China is trying to make its foray into South Asia, India should use its shared history to strengthen its ties in the region, says Dr Rup Narayan Das.

5 Ways to Improve Relations with China

5 Ways to Improve Relations with China

Rediff.com10 Jun 2018

'We must compartmentalise issues, ensuring that one disagreement does not sour everything,' advises Ambassador Kishan S Rana.

'India must talk to Kashmiri militants'

'India must talk to Kashmiri militants'

Rediff.com31 Oct 2017

'In a complex conflict like Kashmir, you can't just ignore the militants when you talk of a permanent solution.'

Desi diplomat to assist US secretary Nisha Desai Biswal

Desi diplomat to assist US secretary Nisha Desai Biswal

Rediff.com18 Nov 2013

Atul Keshap, a senior Indian American career diplomat and one of the rising stars in the United States foreign service, has been picked by Nisha Desai Biswal, the newly appointed assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, to be her deputy.

With Jet off the radar, skies are wide open for Tata's airlines

With Jet off the radar, skies are wide open for Tata's airlines

Rediff.com12 Jun 2019

Both Vistara and AirAsia India, along with their partners, are quietly putting together an aggressive plan to become a formidable force in the skies. At the core of this new push is their plan to go international this financial year.

'There is growing concern in US about democracy in India'

'There is growing concern in US about democracy in India'

Rediff.com6 Oct 2021

'There are three pillars of concern: The expansion of Hindu majoritarianism, the concentration of executive power and decay of independent institutions, and curbs on free expression and dissent.'

India-Iran camaraderie raises red flags in Washington

India-Iran camaraderie raises red flags in Washington

Rediff.com25 May 2016

US Senators want Obama administration to clarify what India's 12 agreements with Iran are all about.

Vikram J Singh joins Centre for American Progress as VP

Vikram J Singh joins Centre for American Progress as VP

Rediff.com11 Feb 2014

Vikram J Singh, the highest-ranking Indian American at the Pentagon is quitting his administration job to head up the national security division at the Center for American Progess -- a Washington, DC progressive think tank with close links to President Obama -- which has at its helm another Indian American, Neera Tanden.

'Chances of El Nino three times more than normal'

'Chances of El Nino three times more than normal'

Rediff.com29 Apr 2015

Total area impacted across India pegged at 18.9 mn hectares.

Obama vows to protect religious minorities at home and abroad

Obama vows to protect religious minorities at home and abroad

Rediff.com16 Jan 2016

Obama made no reference to any country in his speech but said that his administration works to promote religious freedom around the globe.