News for 'Central Asia'

'Trump frustrated with India trade talks, feels 25% tariff will fix issues'

'Trump frustrated with India trade talks, feels 25% tariff will fix issues'

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

US President Donald Trump expresses frustration with the lack of progress in trade talks with India, imposing a 25% tariff. The move comes amid concerns over trade deficits and India's reliance on Russian military equipment and energy.

Australian Open 2025: Must-Know Dates and Details

Australian Open 2025: Must-Know Dates and Details

Rediff.com24 Dec 2024

Here is what you need to know about the year's Australian Open:

Analysts see oil shooting up to $150/bbl if Iran, Israel fighting intensifies

Analysts see oil shooting up to $150/bbl if Iran, Israel fighting intensifies

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

Brent crude oil prices can touch $150 a barrel (bbl) - up a whopping 103 per cent from the current levels - in the worst-case scenario if the Israel-Iran geopolitical tensions escalate, suggest analysts.

India, US trade talks likely to resume in Washington

India, US trade talks likely to resume in Washington

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

An Indian official team is likely to visit Washington next week to iron out differences on certain issues before formally launching negotiations for the proposed India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA), an official said. The visit, which comes within weeks of a high-level US team visiting India, indicates that the talks for the BTA are gaining momentum.

South Asia: It Is Climate Change, Stupid

South Asia: It Is Climate Change, Stupid

Rediff.com21 Sep 2024

India should encourage the second coming of SAARC with climate change as an urgent agenda and keeping Indian security concerns in mind as the subtext, suggest Lieutenant General Ashok Joshi (retd) and Colonel Anil Athale (retd).

India, US to start 3-day trade talks from Wednesday

India, US to start 3-day trade talks from Wednesday

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Senior officials of India and the US will begin three-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement in New Delhi on Wednesday amid threats of reciprocal tariffs from the Trump-administration, an official said. To formally start the negotiations on the pact, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, along with a team of officials, is in New Delhi.

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Lightning claims more lives in India annually than any other extreme weather event. Between April and July this year alone, 1,621 people died due to lightning strikes.

India issues warning after mob violence in Kyrgyzstan

India issues warning after mob violence in Kyrgyzstan

Rediff.com18 May 2024

The number of Indian students in Kyrgyzstan is estimated to be around 15,000.

'FIIs Looking For Consistency In Regulatory Actions'

'FIIs Looking For Consistency In Regulatory Actions'

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

'As long as Sebi maintains transparency and market stability, the Jane Street episode is unlikely to deter long-term foreign capital.'

Jaishankar's response to US warning on Chabahar port

Jaishankar's response to US warning on Chabahar port

Rediff.com15 May 2024

Speaking at a programme in Kolkata on Tuesday night, he said that in the past, even the US has been appreciative of the fact that the Chabahar port has a larger relevance.

Ram's Footprint Over South East Asia

Ram's Footprint Over South East Asia

Rediff.com20 Jan 2024

Even those who are the supporters of India's 'cultural nationalism' seems to be unaware of the footprint of Shri Ram in South East Asia, observes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Trump to host Pakistan Army chief at White House today

Trump to host Pakistan Army chief at White House today

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

United States President Donald Trump will host Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir for lunch at the White House on Wednesday.

Iran attacks US military bases in Qatar, Iraq

Iran attacks US military bases in Qatar, Iraq

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

A major escalation unfolded in West Asia on Monday after Iran reportedly launched multiple missiles targeting United States military installations in Qatar and Iraq, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar -- the largest US military installation in the region, according to a CNN report.

S&P cuts India's FY26 GDP growth forecast to 6.5%

S&P cuts India's FY26 GDP growth forecast to 6.5%

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

S&P Global Ratings on Tuesday cut India's GDP growth projections to 6.5 per cent for the next fiscal as it expects that economies in the APAC region will feel the strain of rising US tariffs and pushback on globalisation. In its Economic Outlook for Asia-Pacific (APAC), S&P said despite these external strains, it expects domestic demand momentum to remain solid in most emerging-market economies.

'Throughout The Day, There's Music Playing In My Head'

'Throughout The Day, There's Music Playing In My Head'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'I played five different versions of Woh Subah Kabhie Toh Aayegi for Raj Kapoor, only to be greeted with a totally blank reaction.' 'Thereafter, for 40 minutes, he disappeared, leaving us baffled.' 'But when he emerged, he couldn't stop appreciating our efforts!' 'He said Sahir Ludhianvi's writing was sheer poetry and since all my five tunes were equally wonderful, he would leave it to my discretion to chose the final tune.' 'What could be greater appreciation for an artiste?'

Hospitality Business Needs People, Not AI

Hospitality Business Needs People, Not AI

Rediff.com15 Jul 2025

With the rise of wellness tourism and experiential travel, specialised jobs are being created in spa management, event planning and local experience curation, besides social media management.

India hits back on US gen remarks, says Pak's terror record clear

India hits back on US gen remarks, says Pak's terror record clear

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

Pakistan's record on terrorism is "very clear" and the Pahalgam attack is only the recent example of cross-border terrorism, the ministry of external affairs said on Thursday.

Trade talks: India, US to hold wrap-up session on Sat

Trade talks: India, US to hold wrap-up session on Sat

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

India and the visiting US officials have decided to hold a wrap-up session on Saturday morning to conclude the three-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement, government sources said. They said the discussions are at a "very" early stage.

Uzbekistan: Land Of Arabian Nights

Uzbekistan: Land Of Arabian Nights

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

Uzbekistan lives comfortably in several centuries but is also a forward-looking nation, Deepa Gahlot discovers on a visit to this Central Asian country.

US Prez Trump hosts rare lunch for Gen Munir weeks after India-Pak clash

US Prez Trump hosts rare lunch for Gen Munir weeks after India-Pak clash

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

The closed-door luncheon meeting came amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran with Trump exploring Washington's possible involvement.

India, US decide to hold sector-specific talks for proposed trade pact

India, US decide to hold sector-specific talks for proposed trade pact

Rediff.com29 Mar 2025

India and the US have decided to hold sector-specific talks in the coming weeks to finalise the structure of the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), the government said on Saturday. The engagement between the two countries came in the backdrop of the USA's threat to impose reciprocal tariffs on its key trading partners, including India, on April 2.

India, Iran sign 10-year Chabahar pact

India, Iran sign 10-year Chabahar pact

Rediff.com13 May 2024

India and Iran on Monday signed a 10-year contract for the operation of a terminal at the strategically important Chabahar port in Iran, a move that will boost regional connectivity as well as trade ties. This is the first time India will take over the management of an overseas port that will also have a multiplier effect on trade among India, Iran and Afghanistan as efforts continue to directly tap the potential in Central Asia, bypassing neighbouring Pakistan.

Beginning Of The End For Trump?

Beginning Of The End For Trump?

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Unless Donald Trump takes a major U turn, this is possibly the beginning of the end for Trumpian politics, argues Colonel Anil A Athale (retd). Unless President Trump takes a major U turn, this is possibly the 'beginning of the end' for Trumpian politics driven by TV trp's, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

India's military spending outpaces Pak's by nearly 9 times

India's military spending outpaces Pak's by nearly 9 times

Rediff.com28 Apr 2025

India's military expenditure in 2024 was nearly nine times that of Pakistan's, according to a study released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). India's spending reached USD 86.1 billion, while Pakistan spent USD 10.2 billion. China's military spending continued to rise, reaching USD 314 billion, accounting for 50% of all spending in Asia and Oceania.

'From India-First To India-For-The-World'

'From India-First To India-For-The-World'

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

'The next decade will be even more transformative,' says Prime Minister Modi. 'We are moving from digital governance to global digital leadership.'

Is Xi Uniting Nations Against Trump's Bullying?

Is Xi Uniting Nations Against Trump's Bullying?

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

'A small boat with a single sail cannot withstand the stormy waves, and only by working together can we sail steadily and far,' Xi told the Vietnamese leadership.

After Covid, management buyouts have seen an uptick

After Covid, management buyouts have seen an uptick

Rediff.com27 May 2025

There have been more instances of a management team buying out the owners of a company after the pandemic. There are eight such transactions, called management buyouts (MBOs), in the five years ending 2024, according to data from tracker LSEG shared with Business Standard.

Why I Will Be Going Back To Vietnam

Why I Will Be Going Back To Vietnam

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

Vietnam was wonderful and the people warm and hospitable, Radhika Mittal discovered over a 11-day stay.

'India Missed Opportunity To Take Back Parts Of PoK'

'India Missed Opportunity To Take Back Parts Of PoK'

Rediff.com14 May 2025

'Had Haji Pir and/or Skardu been taken, the message would have gone out not just to General Asim Munir and his cohort in the Pakistan army but to the Pakistani people that every terrorist incident in India would lead to substantial loss of territory in PoK.'

Stranded in Tehran, Bengal man plan to cross over Afghanistan or Pak

Stranded in Tehran, Bengal man plan to cross over Afghanistan or Pak

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

'I hear that there are some 10,000 Indians stuck in Iran, including nearly 4,000 students from Kashmir. But, I do not know any of them. Here I am all by myself and the embassy has asked me not to venture out far from my hotel. People here are going about their daily lives despite the bombings'

'Trump's Hopes For India's Tariff Cuts Too Ambitious'

'Trump's Hopes For India's Tariff Cuts Too Ambitious'

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

'I certainly hope the two can avoid a trade war and believe they will.' 'I expect some in India will push for retaliatory tariffs if the Trump administration applies significant reciprocal tariffs.'

India's First Emperor

India's First Emperor

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

Chandragupta Maurya was the first king to establish an empire in India. He died a monk.

Obama passes law to appoint special envoy in Asia

Obama passes law to appoint special envoy in Asia

Rediff.com9 Aug 2014

United States President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill which calls for appointing a special envoy near East and South Central Asia to promote freedom of religious minorities.

When Pope Leo XIV Visited Kerala

When Pope Leo XIV Visited Kerala

Rediff.com13 May 2025

'I remember our priests saying that he liked sea food. So, they cooked sea food for him without masala and spice.' 'It seems he enjoyed Kerala food very much.'

India to drive Asia Pacific growth as China's fortunes wane, says S&P

India to drive Asia Pacific growth as China's fortunes wane, says S&P

Rediff.com6 Dec 2023

India will drive growth in the Asia-Pacific (Apac) region as the growth engine is likely to shift from China to South and Southeast Asia in the coming years, S&P Global Ratings said in a report on Tuesday. The rating agency's report projected China's growth to slow down to 4.6 per cent by 2026 from an estimated 5.4 per cent in 2023. India is likely to clock 7 per cent economic growth from 6.4 per cent estimated for 2023.

Pawan Kalyan's son injured in fire at Singapore school

Pawan Kalyan's son injured in fire at Singapore school

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

The incident caused burns to Mark Shankar's hands and legs, while smoke inhalation also affected his lungs and he is currently receiving treatment in a hospital there, Janasena Party said in a press release.

Gold at fresh record high of Rs 91,950/10 gm

Gold at fresh record high of Rs 91,950/10 gm

Rediff.com19 Mar 2025

Gold prices advanced Rs 700 to reach a new lifetime high of Rs 91,950 per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday on the back of continued buying by jewellers ahead of wedding season, according to the All India Sarafa Association. Besides, increased tensions in the Middle East and concerns about the US economic slowdown have kept the demand for safe-haven assets intact.

Why India Is Angry with Turkiye

Why India Is Angry with Turkiye

Rediff.com28 May 2025

India-Turkiye ties are strained over Ankara's Islamabad tilt, its arms links with Pakistan, and fallout from the Pahalgam terror attack.

Gold prices can rise 13% in 18 months to hit $3500 an ounce: BofA Securities

Gold prices can rise 13% in 18 months to hit $3500 an ounce: BofA Securities

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

Gold prices could hit the $3500 an ounce (oz) mark in the next 18 months - up around 13 per cent from the current levels - given the global uncertainties and aided by investment demand, said analysts at BofA Securities in a recent note. Uncertainty around Trump Administration trade policies, BofA said, could continue to push the US dollar (USD) lower, further supporting gold prices near-term.

US Tariffs May Prompt RBI Rate Cut: Economists

US Tariffs May Prompt RBI Rate Cut: Economists

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

'A repo cut will be very good for the market as it will mean that everything is being done to spur growth in these uncertain times.'