News for 'Defence and External Affairs Ministries'

Top-level bureaucratic reshuffle at Centre, Pant named new health secretary

Top-level bureaucratic reshuffle at Centre, Pant named new health secretary

Rediff.com14 Jun 2023

Pant, a 1991-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Rajasthan cadre, is currently secretary in the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways.

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.

India, China diplomats discuss Ladakh disengagement

India, China diplomats discuss Ladakh disengagement

Rediff.com31 May 2023

The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.

With eyes on China, India, Japan agree to bolster defence ties

With eyes on China, India, Japan agree to bolster defence ties

Rediff.com8 Sep 2022

India and Japan on Thursday agreed to enhance military exercises and defence cooperation as the two countries emphasised that the bilateral special strategic and global partnership plays a crucial role in ensuring a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific, amidst China's aggressive behaviour in the region.

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.

Occupied for decades: MEA on reports of 2nd Chinese bridge in Pangong area

Occupied for decades: MEA on reports of 2nd Chinese bridge in Pangong area

Rediff.com20 May 2022

At a media briefing, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India monitors such developments.

India Should Be Battle Ready With China

India Should Be Battle Ready With China

Rediff.com14 Aug 2024

'With continued focus on votes, upcoming by-polls and purchasing politicians, the political hierarchy has little time for national defence.' 'They would do well to heed a veteran scholar, who says, "There will be war with China in the next few years. The next full scale war will have the involvement of Pakistan and terror elements, insurgents and intelligence assets operating inside India",' warns Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

What India, US will discuss during 2+2 dialogue

What India, US will discuss during 2+2 dialogue

Rediff.com23 Oct 2020

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark T Esper will visit India on October 26 and 27 for the high-level dialogue aimed at further boosting defence, security and global strategic ties between the two countries.

Foreign policy, declassified

Foreign policy, declassified

Rediff.com21 Feb 2014

The external affairs ministry's files, as distinct from those of the ministry of defence or the agencies, at least from before 1974 should be declassified. And if select files that are more than 40 years old are not to be declassified, the ministry should follow explicit guidelines to justify taking such a view, says Jaimini Bhagwat.

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.

'Sushma transformed MEA, oriented it to people's call'

'Sushma transformed MEA, oriented it to people's call'

Rediff.com13 Aug 2019

Joined by leaders from all major parties, Modi paid tributes to the Bharatiya Janata Party stalwart, who died last week, at a condolence meeting.

India-US 2+2 agree to further strengthen ties for free, safe Indo-Pacific

India-US 2+2 agree to further strengthen ties for free, safe Indo-Pacific

Rediff.com8 Sep 2022

Indo-Pacific region. Senior officials from the ministries of External Affairs and Defence, and the US departments of Defence and State met here for the India-US 2+2 Inter-Sessional meeting.

Fire breaks out in Delhi's South Block

Fire breaks out in Delhi's South Block

Rediff.com20 Mar 2016

A fire broke out in a room of the South Block, which houses the PMO and offices of defence and external affairs ministry, but no one was injured, police and fire officials said.

What Pranab Da Thought About Sonia Gandhi

What Pranab Da Thought About Sonia Gandhi

Rediff.com9 Dec 2023

Pranab's earlier fear of Sonia relying too heavily on a coterie due to her lack of experience turned out to be unfounded. As per Pranab, Sonia had her close advisers but she did not follow anyone's advice blindly. A fascinating excerpt from Sharmistha Mukherjee's Pranab, My Father: A Daughter Remembers.

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.

Panel to look into defence pull-out

Panel to look into defence pull-out

Rediff.com8 Sep 2007

The members could include National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, the secretary, Department of Telecommunications, and the secretary, Ministry of Defence.

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.

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.

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.

Modi 3.0: Smriti Irani, Anurag Thakur out; allies in

Modi 3.0: Smriti Irani, Anurag Thakur out; allies in

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

There is also speculation within the BJP that its national president J P Nadda, whose extended tenure will end by this month and who was among the leaders meeting Modi, may also be brought back in the government.

China 'firmly opposes' US recognising Arunachal as Indian territory

China 'firmly opposes' US recognising Arunachal as Indian territory

Rediff.com21 Mar 2024

China on Thursday said it 'firmly opposes' the United States recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as part of Indian territory and affirmed that Washington, DC has nothing to do with the India-China border dispute.

Markets end flat as investors remain on the sidelines

Markets end flat as investors remain on the sidelines

Rediff.com11 Jun 2024

Among the 30 Sensex companies, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Asian Paints, Reliance Industries, ITC, Sun Pharma, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and JSW Steel were the major laggards. Larsen & Toubro, Tata Motors, Maruti, NTPC, Mahindra & Mahindra and UltraTech Cement were among the gainers.

Ladakh Disengagement: What's The Reality?

Ladakh Disengagement: What's The Reality?

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

The government needs to answer the critical question of whether it has accepted any restrictions on its infrastructure creation activities, asserts Ajai Shukla.

India, China to end 2-yr standoff in key Ladakh area by Monday

India, China to end 2-yr standoff in key Ladakh area by Monday

Rediff.com9 Sep 2022

India and China will complete the disengagement process in the Gogra-Hotsprings area in eastern Ladakh by September 12, the External Affairs Ministry said on Friday.

NSA in Lanka; to discuss Tamil issue, maritime security treaty

NSA in Lanka; to discuss Tamil issue, maritime security treaty

Rediff.com8 Jul 2013

National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon arrived in Colombo on Monday to hold crucial talks on the controversial 13th amendment on devolution of power in the Tamil-dominated northern province and a trilateral maritime security treaty with Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

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.

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.

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.

'India ready to...': Modi leaves for historic visit to Ukraine

'India ready to...': Modi leaves for historic visit to Ukraine

Rediff.com23 Aug 2024

Ahead of his much-anticipated visit to conflict-torn Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India firmly believes that no problem can be solved on the battlefield and it is ready to extend all possible cooperation for the restoration of peace and stability in the region.

Modi meets Meloni in Italy, here's what they discussed

Modi meets Meloni in Italy, here's what they discussed

Rediff.com15 Jun 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held bilateral talks with Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Bari during which they discussed defence and security cooperation and hoped for further enhancing the defence industrial collaboration.

Bangladeshi Hindu leader held for sedition denied bail

Bangladeshi Hindu leader held for sedition denied bail

Rediff.com26 Nov 2024

A Bangladeshi court on Tuesday denied bail to prominent Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, arrested on alleged 'sedition' charges, and sent him to prison, amid protests by community members in the capital Dhaka and the port city of Chattogram.

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.

Will Modi's recent Kyiv visit open door for Ukraine peace talks?

Will Modi's recent Kyiv visit open door for Ukraine peace talks?

Rediff.com31 Aug 2024

The spokesperson said India has "always advocated constructive, solution-oriented, and practical engagement with all stakeholders to achieve a negotiated settlement to this conflict".

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.

Trade issues that India, Saudi Arabia discussed

Trade issues that India, Saudi Arabia discussed

Rediff.com11 Sep 2023

India and Saudi Arabia on Monday decided to expedite implementation of the $50 billion West Coast refinery project, and identified energy, defence, semiconductor and space as areas for intensified cooperation during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

As India pulls out, China moves into Maldives with free military aid

As India pulls out, China moves into Maldives with free military aid

Rediff.com4 Mar 2024

China on Monday signed a defence cooperation agreement with the Maldives to provide free military assistance to foster "stronger" bilateral ties with Male, weeks after President Mohamed Muizzu set a deadline for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian military personnel from his island nation.

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.

76 Indian military personnel replaced by civilians: Maldives

76 Indian military personnel replaced by civilians: Maldives

Rediff.com11 May 2024

However, the Maldives government has no intention of removing the doctors from India at Senahiya, a media report said.

Kuwaiti authorities identify bodies of 45 Indians; vows prompt probe

Kuwaiti authorities identify bodies of 45 Indians; vows prompt probe

Rediff.com14 Jun 2024

Kuwaiti authorities have identified the bodies of 45 Indians and three Filipino nationals killed in the tragic fire incident in a building housing foreign workers in the Gulf Kingdom, a top official said on Thursday.