News for 'Defence Ministry and External Affairs Ministry'

Jaishankar is an expert in dealing with China, Pak

Jaishankar is an expert in dealing with China, Pak

Rediff.com31 May 2019

Jaishankar is the first foreign secretary to head the Ministry of External Affairs as minister.

US Admiral caught in ministry protocol for appointments

US Admiral caught in ministry protocol for appointments

Rediff.com26 Jun 2013

Admiral Sam Locklear heads the US Pacific Command, making him the most powerful military commander on earth. With 60 per cent of the US Navy under him, PACOM oversees 52 per cent of the planet. Locklear is America's military pointsman for 36 countries, including India and China.

Sitharaman, Goyal, Pradhan become members of key Cabinet committees

Sitharaman, Goyal, Pradhan become members of key Cabinet committees

Rediff.com12 Sep 2017

After her elevation as defence minister, Sitharaman has become a member of the cabinet committee on security headed by the prime minister.

Operation Sindoor Outreach What Did Panda & Co Achieve In West Asia?

Operation Sindoor Outreach What Did Panda & Co Achieve In West Asia?

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

'It is high time that the 'war on terror' is removed from our diplomatic toolbox.' 'Certainly, our parliamentarians have no role in it,' asserts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Engaging with China diplomatically to find a solution: India on Doklam standoff

Engaging with China diplomatically to find a solution: India on Doklam standoff

Rediff.com4 Aug 2017

External affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay, however, refused to comment whether there was reduction of Indian troops at the tri-junction between India-China-Bhuta.

No Indians recruited in military from April: Russia

No Indians recruited in military from April: Russia

Rediff.com11 Aug 2024

Since April this year, the ministry of defence of the Russian Federation has stopped recruiting citizens of a number of foreign countries, including India, into the military service, it said.

India reaches out to Iraq to get 39 nationals freed

India reaches out to Iraq to get 39 nationals freed

Rediff.com22 Aug 2016

The Iraqi leadership assured full cooperation and support in the matter.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Engaging The Indian Diaspora Is A Must

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Engaging The Indian Diaspora Is A Must

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

The Indian Diaspora has been able to carve a niche in their adopted countries as a result of their talent, perseverance and hardworking nature, asserts Rup Narayan Das.

Jaishankar speaks to new US Secy of State on phone

Jaishankar speaks to new US Secy of State on phone

Rediff.com30 Jan 2021

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday spoke to newly appointed United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken during which they expressed commitment to consolidate and expand the India-US strategic partnership and reiterated commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

India, Qatar to double trade in next 5 yrs; discuss Israel-Hamas issue

India, Qatar to double trade in next 5 yrs; discuss Israel-Hamas issue

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

India and Qatar on Tuesday agreed to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership and double bilateral trade to USD 28 billion over the next five years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani signed agreements and MoUs to strengthen economic cooperation, including a revised double taxation avoidance agreement. The strategic partnership will cover the "entire spectrum" of the bilateral relationship, including trade, energy security, and regional and international cooperation. Both leaders also discussed ways to further strengthen and broaden the energy partnership, including "exploring mutual investments." The Amir's visit provided an "excellent opportunity" for the top leadership of the two countries to discuss and "cement a strategic partnership for enhanced future cooperation."

Qatari court accepts India's appeal on ex-Navy personnel's death sentence

Qatari court accepts India's appeal on ex-Navy personnel's death sentence

Rediff.com24 Nov 2023

A Qatari court has accepted the appeal document on the sentencing of eight former Indian naval personnel to death, sources familiar with the matter said.

Article against Jayalalithaa triggers storm, Sri Lanka tenders apology

Article against Jayalalithaa triggers storm, Sri Lanka tenders apology

Rediff.com1 Aug 2014

An "offensive" article on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa published on the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry website with an accompanying graphic image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked up a storm in India which acted with "alacrity" on Friday to force the island nation to tender an unqualified apology.

MEA notice to Suresh Nanda

MEA notice to Suresh Nanda

Rediff.com10 Mar 2008

The External Affairs Ministry has served a show-cause notice on arms dealer Suresh Nanda, alleged to have received kickbacks in defence deals, asking him as to why his passport should not be revoked following a plea by the CBI. The CBI, while pleading successfully for suspension of Nanda's passport for another month till March 30, had made a simultaneous plea to revoke his travel document permanently, ministry sources said.

India urges Pak to release 185 citizens; nations exchange prisoner lists

India urges Pak to release 185 citizens; nations exchange prisoner lists

Rediff.com1 Jul 2024

Similarly, Pakistan has shared the names of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or are believed-to-be-Indian, the MEA added.

No photo, no biometric data, no fee paid; can't process Geelani's passport form: Govt

No photo, no biometric data, no fee paid; can't process Geelani's passport form: Govt

Rediff.com21 May 2015

The government on Thursday said the passport application of hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani cannot be processed in its present form, noting that it was incomplete.

Nirmala Sitharaman gets defence, Piyush Goyal gets railways

Nirmala Sitharaman gets defence, Piyush Goyal gets railways

Rediff.com3 Sep 2017

In the third reshuffle since coming to power, Prime Minister Modi raised the strength of his Council of Ministers from 73 to 76.

Report on kickbacks in AN-32 parts deal misleading: MoD

Report on kickbacks in AN-32 parts deal misleading: MoD

Rediff.com31 May 2018

The media report said Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau has sent a request to the ministry of home affairs seeking legal assistance in its probe into the alleged kickbacks.

Am sacrificing my life for my country and fellow jawans: Veteran's suicide note

Am sacrificing my life for my country and fellow jawans: Veteran's suicide note

Rediff.com3 Nov 2016

The 70-year-old ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal from Haryana's Bhiwani district had allegedly consumed poison.

India, China to enhance defence personnel ties to avoid Doklam-like crisis

India, China to enhance defence personnel ties to avoid Doklam-like crisis

Rediff.com5 Sep 2017

The Chinese and the Indian troops were engaged in a standoff for 73 days in Doklam.

HC quashes govt order cancelling US-based professor's OCI card

HC quashes govt order cancelling US-based professor's OCI card

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

The Delhi High Court has set aside the Centre's order cancelling the Overseas Citizen of India card of a US-based professor, saying the notice lacked specific details or evidence supporting the allegations of "anti-India activities." The court ruled that the professor was deprived of a fair chance to present a defense, violating procedural fairness and principles of natural justice. The court has directed authorities to issue a fresh notice with specific grounds and allow the professor to respond before making a decision on his entry into India.

Key Modi ministers retain their previous portfolios

Key Modi ministers retain their previous portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

While there are some new faces in the cabinet, leaders such as BJP president JP Nadda and Jual Oram have returned as ministers.

Jaswant Singh NDA's best bet for vice prez polls

Jaswant Singh NDA's best bet for vice prez polls

Rediff.com16 Jul 2012

The National Democratic Alliance could not have got a candidate for vice-presidential poll with more gravitas than Jaswant Singh, a former army officer who has headed finance, defence and external affairs ministries, authored books and even served as Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

Tahawwur Rana lands in Delhi, NIA records arrest

Tahawwur Rana lands in Delhi, NIA records arrest

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was brought to India on Thursday after being "successfully extradited " from the US, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said. The 64-year-old Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin landed in Delhi in a special plane on Thursday evening, ending days of speculation of when and how he will be extradited, officials said. The NIA said in a statement that it had secured the successful extradition after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring to justice the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem that claimed 166 lives. Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the the three-day terror siege of India's financial capital.

Prez Patil defends her foreign tours, yet again

Prez Patil defends her foreign tours, yet again

Rediff.com8 May 2012

President Pratibha Patil yet again came out with a strong defence of her foreign tours, saying she was forced to go public on the issue despite government clarifications.

Government refutes report of BrahMos sale to Vietnam

Government refutes report of BrahMos sale to Vietnam

Rediff.com18 Aug 2017

Vietnam, which is involved in a territorial dispute with China, is keen to get it hands on the supersonic missiles that can be fired on land, water and under water.

Kuwait fire: Indian mission swings into action

Kuwait fire: Indian mission swings into action

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

India's mission in Kuwait is ascertaining the full details from the concerned Kuwaiti authorities on the tragic fire incident in a building in the southern city of Mangaf which killed 49 foreign workers, including around 40 Indians, and injured 50 others, even as officials started an investigation into one of the worst fires in the Gulf nation.

US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter on three-day visit to India

US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter on three-day visit to India

Rediff.com2 Jun 2015

Carter arrived at INS Dega in Vishakhapatnam and was briefed by top officials about the activities of the Eastern Naval Command.

Waqf Bill brazen assault on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi

Waqf Bill brazen assault on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it a 'brazen assault' on the Constitution and part of the BJP's strategy to keep society in a 'permanent state of polarization.' She also spoke out against the One Nation, One Election Bill, calling it a 'subversion of the Constitution.' Gandhi further accused the Modi government of ignoring the women's reservation bill and other demands for reservation, and of 'dragging the country into an abyss' where the Constitution will only exist on paper. She also criticized the government for limiting the speaking time of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and for not allowing discussions on important issues like the working of the defense and external affairs ministries and the challenges posed by China on the border.

Indo-US military drills near LAC in October make China see red

Indo-US military drills near LAC in October make China see red

Rediff.com25 Aug 2022

Tan said that China has always stressed that military cooperation of relevant countries, especially on exercises and training activities, should not be targeted at any third party, but rather serve to help maintain regional peace and stability.

Panel to look into forces' concerns over pay

Panel to look into forces' concerns over pay

Rediff.com27 Sep 2008

The three-member committee was constituted following a direction from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is currently abroad, government sources said. However, the defence forces have now agreed to accept the pay scales with the existing 'anomalies', but would wait for a decision from the committee in which Defence Minister A K Antony and Finance Minister P Chidambaram would be members.

Sitharaman takes charge as defence minister, lists out priorities

Sitharaman takes charge as defence minister, lists out priorities

Rediff.com7 Sep 2017

She says her priority areas would be military preparedness, defence indigenisation, and the welfare of soldiers.

Indo-US talks on missile defence on Jan 15-16

Indo-US talks on missile defence on Jan 15-16

Rediff.com27 Dec 2002

The talks will also focus on the profileration of missile technology to many countries, particularly North Korea.

Jaishankar to attend meeting of SCO foreign ministers in Russia

Jaishankar to attend meeting of SCO foreign ministers in Russia

Rediff.com4 Sep 2020

"The external affairs minister will be visiting Moscow to attend the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers' meeting which is scheduled on September 10," spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Anurag Srivstava said at an online media briefing.

India to send NDRF, medical and relief teams to Turkey

India to send NDRF, medical and relief teams to Turkey

Rediff.com6 Feb 2023

The government on Monday decided to immediately dispatch search and rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force, medical teams and relief material to earthquake-hit Turkey following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's instructions to offer all possible assistance to the country.

Ukrainian minister to visit India, may invite Modi to Kyiv

Ukrainian minister to visit India, may invite Modi to Kyiv

Rediff.com8 Apr 2023

Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova will pay a four-day visit to India from Sunday, the first official visit from the East European country since the Russian invasion began last year.

Modi To Visit 2nd Muslim Nation In A Month

Modi To Visit 2nd Muslim Nation In A Month

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Abu Dhabi on July 15.

Navy keeps eye on Iranian ship anchored off Kerala coast

Navy keeps eye on Iranian ship anchored off Kerala coast

Rediff.com23 Nov 2011

The Indian Navy is keeping a close eye on Iranian merchant vessel MV Assa, anchored for over a month off the coast of Kerala.

'I'll be here': French Prez Macron to be R-Day chief guest

'I'll be here': French Prez Macron to be R-Day chief guest

Rediff.com22 Dec 2023

India had invited United States President Joe Biden to grace the occasion but he expressed inability to travel to New Delhi in January.