News for 'Defence and External Affairs'

Hope there is a resolution of remaining issues: Jaishankar on LAC row

Hope there is a resolution of remaining issues: Jaishankar on LAC row

Rediff.com12 May 2024

Jaishankar said diplomacy is a work of patience and India continues to discuss the issues with the Chinese side.

When Austin Arrived... When Blinken Came...

When Austin Arrived... When Blinken Came...

Rediff.com10 Nov 2023

There was a clear difference in the welcomes for Lloyd Austin and Antony Blinken.

Recognise Arunachal Pradesh as...: US on China's claim

Recognise Arunachal Pradesh as...: US on China's claim

Rediff.com21 Mar 2024

China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, routinely objects to Indian leaders' visits to the state to highlight its claims. Beijing has also named the area Zangnan.

PM Modi meets Israeli PM, lays emphasis on cyber security, defence

PM Modi meets Israeli PM, lays emphasis on cyber security, defence

Rediff.com29 Sep 2014

In a hope to improve ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed cooperation in areas ranging from agriculture and water management to defence and cyber security. A Rediff correspondent reports

'Neither India Or Pakistan Desire Full-Scale War'

'Neither India Or Pakistan Desire Full-Scale War'

Rediff.com10 May 2025

'I am worried that Pakistan will still feel compelled to take substantive military action beyond this apparent drone activity.' 'If so, the crisis could persist for a while more and dangerous days are still ahead.'

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.

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Rediff.com11 Jun 2024

Signalling both change and continuity, India's new government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third consecutive term, got into work gear on Tuesday with cabinet ministers and ministers of state filing into their respective offices to assume charge.

CCS meets after CDS's death

CCS meets after CDS's death

Rediff.com9 Dec 2021

Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar attended CCS meeting.

Swaraj, Karzai agree to intensify security, defence ties

Swaraj, Karzai agree to intensify security, defence ties

Rediff.com10 Sep 2014

Seeking to enhance strategic cooperation and help Afghanistan deal with key challenges of security and stability, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived on Wednesday on a crucial visit as the trouble-torn country approaches the first democratic transition of power after fall of the Taliban in 2001.

Amit Shah, Jaishankar enter all-powerful CCS

Amit Shah, Jaishankar enter all-powerful CCS

Rediff.com5 Jun 2019

The key panel, which deals with issues related to national security and foreign affairs, is headed by the prime minister.

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.

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.

Rajnath discusses Ladakh standoff with US defence secy

Rajnath discusses Ladakh standoff with US defence secy

Rediff.com11 Jul 2020

Singh and Esper also deliberated on ways to further boost bilateral defence and security cooperation, they said, adding the telephonic conversation took place at the request of the US side.

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.

Ranveer Allahbadia's Rise, Journalism's Demise

Ranveer Allahbadia's Rise, Journalism's Demise

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Ranveer Allahbadia found an easy way of asking questions which made sense to him and his team. No counter-questions or finding out the 'Why?' from the celebrity he was speaking to. The 'Why?' was buried and forgotten in Ranveer's shows, observes Syed Firdaus Ashraf.

Jaishankar-Blinken meet in DC, remain tight-lipped on Nijjar killing row

Jaishankar-Blinken meet in DC, remain tight-lipped on Nijjar killing row

Rediff.com29 Sep 2023

India and the US agreed to continue their cooperation in the areas of defence, space and clean energy as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Secretary of State Antony Blinken here, amid a simmering diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of a Khalistani separatist.

India, US to ink landmark defence pact on Tuesday

India, US to ink landmark defence pact on Tuesday

Rediff.com26 Oct 2020

On Tuesday, Pompeo and Esper will hold the 2+2 talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, covering the entire expanse of defence and security ties as well as key regional and global issues.

Zero tolerance for terrorism in all its manifestations 'must': India at SCO

Zero tolerance for terrorism in all its manifestations 'must': India at SCO

Rediff.com29 Jul 2022

The external affairs minister reiterated India's position on Afghanistan and highlighted its humanitarian support to the war-torn country, including the supply of wheat, medicines, vaccines and clothing.

Shift Of Power In Parliament Post Polls

Shift Of Power In Parliament Post Polls

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

The increased numbers of the Opposition bloc would mean that their MPs are likely to head several more panels than the four that they did by the end of the term of the 17th Lok Sabha.

The Importance Of Russia And US For India

The Importance Of Russia And US For India

Rediff.com8 Jul 2024

New Delhi has reached out to Moscow while waiting for a new president in Washington. New Delhi knows well that in international relations, there are no permanent friends or foes, only permanent national interests, points out Dr Rup Narayan Das.

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.

Countries should be mindful of...: Jaishankar on Gaza war

Countries should be mindful of...: Jaishankar on Gaza war

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

When asked the reason for India's abstention from a resolution in the UN General Assembly on October 27, 2023, regarding the protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations, Jaishankar said there were many resolutions in the UN General Assembly and in some India abstained and in some, it voted in favour.

'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.'

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.

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 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.

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.

Had frank talk about abnormal border situation with China: Jaishankar

Had frank talk about abnormal border situation with China: Jaishankar

Rediff.com5 May 2023

The relations between India and China cannot be normal if peace and tranquillity in border areas are disturbed, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday.

India won't be part of US missile defence plan

India won't be part of US missile defence plan

Rediff.com24 Oct 2007

"India does not take part in such military arrangement. Therefore the question of our participation does not arise," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said during a joint press conference in Harbin, China, at the conclusion of the third standalone trilateral meeting of Foreign Ministers of India, China and Russia.

Defence and foreign policy, not trade, on agenda for 2+2 dialogue

Defence and foreign policy, not trade, on agenda for 2+2 dialogue

Rediff.com5 Sep 2018

The issues around trade gaps, especially around steel and aluminium tariffs imposed by the US, will be addressed separately.

'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.

Peace in border areas basis for normal India-China ties: Jaishankar

Peace in border areas basis for normal India-China ties: Jaishankar

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

Jaishankar said the last few years have been a "period of serious challenge", both for the relationship and for the prospects of Asia, noting that continuation of the current impasse will not benefit either India or China.

US defence secretary arrives in India on 3-day visit

US defence secretary arrives in India on 3-day visit

Rediff.com7 Aug 2014

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel arrived in New Delhi on Thursday on a three-day visit and is expected to discuss regional security situation, defence deals worth over Rs 20,000 crore and joint military hardware development projects with the Indian political and military leadership.

Former Union minister Jaswant Singh passes away

Former Union minister Jaswant Singh passes away

Rediff.com27 Sep 2020

Singh, a former Army officer, had been ill after a fall at his home in August 2014 and was admitted to the Army Research and Referral Hospital. He had been in and out of the hospital and was admitted again in June this year.

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's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Modi's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Among the new entrants to the Union cabinet, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been given the agriculture and rural development portfolios, Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda the health portfolio and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar the power portfolio.

'Freedom of choice': India on US criticism of Russia ties

'Freedom of choice': India on US criticism of Russia ties

Rediff.com25 Jul 2024

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has a long-standing relationship with Russia which is based on "mutuality" of interests.

India, US likely to sign BECA deal for closer defence ties

India, US likely to sign BECA deal for closer defence ties

Rediff.com19 Oct 2020

It is believed that the signing of BECA and the follow-up arrangements between the sides will allow India to use American inputs on geospatial intelligence and to enhance military accuracy of automated hardware systems and weapons like cruise, ballistic missiles and drones.

Will India Have A Peace Keeping Role In Ukraine?

Will India Have A Peace Keeping Role In Ukraine?

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

A peace keeping role for India is a distinct possibility. Indian military has both the numbers and experience to carry out this job, observes Colonel Anil A Athale (Retd).