News for 'Demand for Grants of External Affairs'

India asks its nationals to leave Libya

India asks its nationals to leave Libya

Rediff.com28 Jul 2014

Amidst spiralling violence in Libya, India's mission in Tripoli on Monday advised all its nationals to leave the strife-torn country using all available means and not to travel to that country.

US hopes India would 'reconsider' its decision to ban wheat exports

US hopes India would 'reconsider' its decision to ban wheat exports

Rediff.com17 May 2022

The US hopes India will "reconsider" its decision to ban wheat exports, with Washington "encouraging" countries not to restrict exports as that will exacerbate food shortages, amidst Russia's invasion of Ukraine. India, the world's second-biggest wheat producer, has banned wheat exports in a bid to check high domestic prices amid concerns of wheat output being hit by scorching heat waves. The decision would help control retail prices of wheat and wheat flour, which have risen by an average 14-20 per cent in the last one year, besides meeting the foodgrain requirement of neighbouring and vulnerable countries.

Make sure Lalit Modi returns to face trial: Chidambaram tells govt

Make sure Lalit Modi returns to face trial: Chidambaram tells govt

Rediff.com17 Jun 2015

Rejecting allegations of vendetta levelled against him and the United Progressive Alliance, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday demanded that the government should ensure that Lalit Modi returns to India to face the probe by the Enforcement Directorate on various charges, including money laundering.

Brahmos misfire: HC seeks Centre's stand on IAF officer's plea against sacking

Brahmos misfire: HC seeks Centre's stand on IAF officer's plea against sacking

Rediff.com14 Mar 2023

A bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Neena Bansal Krishna issued notice on the petition by the former wing commander, who was posted as engineering officer at the relevant time, and granted the Centre six weeks to file its response.

Food grains shouldn't go the way of COVID vaccines: India at UN

Food grains shouldn't go the way of COVID vaccines: India at UN

Rediff.com19 May 2022

The minister emphasised that India will play its due role in advancing global food security and it will do so in a manner in which it upholds equity, displays compassion, and promotes social justice.

Japan PM postpones trip to violence-hit Guwahati

Japan PM postpones trip to violence-hit Guwahati

Rediff.com13 Dec 2019

Guwahati is witnessing massive protests over the new Citizenship law. The MEA said that both sides have decided to 'defer' Abe's visit to a mutually convenient date.

Lalit Modi row: What benefit did I give Modi, asks Sushma in her defence

Lalit Modi row: What benefit did I give Modi, asks Sushma in her defence

Rediff.com14 Jun 2015

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had helped former cricket tycoon Lalit Modi to procure travel documents despite a red alert by the government.

Bail to Lakhvi a huge blow to humanity: PM Modi

Bail to Lakhvi a huge blow to humanity: PM Modi

Rediff.com19 Dec 2014

Hectic activity, apparently over drafting of a resolution on the release of 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, was witnessed in Lok Sabha on Friday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj joined the House to condemn it.Hectic activity, apparently over drafting of a resolution on the release of 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, was witnessed in Lok Sabha on Friday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj joined the House to condemn it.

Sushma in soup for helping fugitive Lalit Modi travel

Sushma in soup for helping fugitive Lalit Modi travel

Rediff.com14 Jun 2015

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was on Sunday at the centre of a major row over helping scam-tainted former Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi to obtain British travel documents but found strong support from the government and the Bharatiya Janata Party which rejected opposition demands for her resignation over alleged "impropriety".

He unearthed horror of slave trade

He unearthed horror of slave trade

Rediff.com5 Jan 2021

Amjed Ullah Khan, who carried out investigations of his own and helped rescue 15 women from Hyderabad, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com how the women get trapped in an underground slave market that 'sells' them to employers who force them to work for less or no pay and often under inhuman conditions.

Kartarpur marks first cross-border initiative for India-Pak

Kartarpur marks first cross-border initiative for India-Pak

Rediff.com26 Nov 2018

The construction of the Dera Baba Nanak-Kartarpur Sahib corridor across the India-Pakistan border has been likened to the fall of the Berlin Wall by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Here's why the corridor is important.

Bhutan-China Treaty: Setback For India

Bhutan-China Treaty: Setback For India

Rediff.com19 Oct 2021

Thimpu apparently didn't think it necessary to take Delhi into confidence. Bhutan is loathe to getting dragged into the geopolitical rivalry between India and China. And for Beijing, this was too good an opportunity to be missed to thumb its nose at the powers-that-be in Delhi, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

PM to lead BJP's day-long fast; Congress terms it 'photo-op'

PM to lead BJP's day-long fast; Congress terms it 'photo-op'

Rediff.com11 Apr 2018

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that it was the Centre which ensured the disruption by provoking All India Anna Dravida MUnnetra Kazhagam over the Cauvery issue.

Abandoned by their NRI husbands, the women fight back

Abandoned by their NRI husbands, the women fight back

Rediff.com5 Mar 2020

In a pink-walled room of a government office, they spend their days cancelling the passports of runaway husbands.

The case that led to Chidambaram's downfall

The case that led to Chidambaram's downfall

Rediff.com22 Aug 2019

Chidambaram has not been named as an accused in the FIR and the CBI is yet to file a chargesheet in the matter.

CANNOT accept Lakhvi's bail, change your decision: India to Pak

CANNOT accept Lakhvi's bail, change your decision: India to Pak

Rediff.com18 Dec 2014

An outraged India told Pakistan on Thursday that release of Laskhar-e-Tayiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, one of the key conspirators of the Mumbai terror attacks, on bail was unacceptable to it and demanded immediate steps for reversal of the decision.

US Is Back In Business In Afghanistan

US Is Back In Business In Afghanistan

Rediff.com13 Oct 2021

Russia and China are tight-fisted and Iran is broke and none of them has the political will or capacity to bankroll the Afghan economy, which only the US can, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

SAARC summit could be postponed, hints Pakistan

SAARC summit could be postponed, hints Pakistan

Rediff.com29 Sep 2016

The development comes after four of the eight member states -- India, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh -- decided to pull out.

OROP suicide: Jaitley blames bank for not providing benefits to veteran

OROP suicide: Jaitley blames bank for not providing benefits to veteran

Rediff.com4 Nov 2016

On V K Singh branding the deceased as a Congress worker, he said all leaders must be 'sensitive' to the suicide.

Customary 'Halwa ceremony' kickstarts Budget proceedings

Customary 'Halwa ceremony' kickstarts Budget proceedings

Rediff.com23 Jan 2021

As part of the ritual, ''halwa'' is prepared in a big ''kadhai'' (large frying pot) and served to the entire staff involved in the Budget making exercise of the ministry. Halwa was served while maintaining COVID protocol with all present in mask and those distributing sweets were wearing gloves.

Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother petitions Pak for his release

Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother petitions Pak for his release

Rediff.com26 Apr 2017

Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Gautam Bambawale on Wednesday met with Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and sought the consular access to Jadhav.

Rajnath blames Pak for Lakhvi's bail, calls it 'very unfortunate'

Rajnath blames Pak for Lakhvi's bail, calls it 'very unfortunate'

Rediff.com18 Dec 2014

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday blamed Pakistan for the bail granted to Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, saying there might be some shortcomings on the part of the prosecution in taking forward the case.

How soon will Kulbhushan Jadhav return?

How soon will Kulbhushan Jadhav return?

Rediff.com20 Jul 2019

'If the series of instances in the recent past are taken into account -- guns falling silent on the border; vastly reduced cross-border infiltration into J&K; positive approach to meeting Indian demands on the Kartarpur Sahib pilgrimage; resumption of overflight for Indian aircraft; visible disinterest in rhetoric and so on -- Commander Jadhav may see better days in a conceivable future,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Govt says Speaker above party lines, slams Kamal Nath's remarks

Govt says Speaker above party lines, slams Kamal Nath's remarks

Rediff.com7 Jul 2014

The government on Monday slammed Congress leader Kamal Nath for his remarks that Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan's decision on the issue of grant of Leader of Opposition status could be "flavoured" by BJP, saying it is "unfortunate" as the Speaker is above party lines.

Beyond great 'optics', no great push in Indo-China ties

Beyond great 'optics', no great push in Indo-China ties

Rediff.com15 May 2015

Modi's arrival has changed the optics of the visit. There is a different demonstration of the confidence level in the Indian leadership, but not much has changed beyond that, reports Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.

'An India true to its roots will always be strong'

'An India true to its roots will always be strong'

Rediff.com4 Nov 2020

'The prospect is of a self-confident and self-sustaining India will make it a more effective player in the global arena,' External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar points out delivering the Sardar Patel Lecture-2020: India and the Post-Covid World.

Beware! How the Chinese Negotiate

Beware! How the Chinese Negotiate

Rediff.com27 Aug 2021

'It is advisable for Indian interlocutors to follow the Chinese tactic of repeating the Indian position, both for the record and to test the Chinese negotiator's resolve and intentions.' A riveting excerpt from former foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale's The Long Game: How the Chinese Negotiate With India.

India, Bhutan power plant collaborations in limbo

India, Bhutan power plant collaborations in limbo

Rediff.com9 Jun 2013

India has so far set up three projects - Tala, Chukha and Kurichu - in Bhutan under the Inter-governmental Agreement model.

Why is Modi pushing Rajapaksa on the Tamils?

Why is Modi pushing Rajapaksa on the Tamils?

Rediff.com2 Oct 2020

Mahinda Rajapaksa is a democratically elected leader who received a massive mandate of 71% of votes, and he owes nothing to Delhi or Washington for staging his political comeback, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Is India ready to play the Tibet card?

Is India ready to play the Tibet card?

Rediff.com3 Apr 2017

The Dalai Lama's Arunachal visit is not likely to derail the relationship but it is enough to signal the Chinese that India is also willing to flash the Tibet/Taiwan card should the need arise, says Sana Hashmi.

'Blood trail showed killers returned across LoC'

'Blood trail showed killers returned across LoC'

Rediff.com3 May 2017

Basit was called in by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to convey India's strong views on the incident, the external affairs ministry said.

Why China is flexing its muscles

Why China is flexing its muscles

Rediff.com6 Jun 2020

'India has ramped up infrastructure on its side, so the Chinese military is finding Indian soldiers in locations where they are not used to seeing an Indian footprint,' points out Harsh V Pant.

Rebuff from NSG is of India's own making

Rebuff from NSG is of India's own making

Rediff.com27 Jun 2016

Immediate NSG membership will not help India realise its nuclear ambitions any faster. It could have easily left the process take its own course, instead of running a high-stakes campaign to get in, says B S Raghavan.

Diplomat issue: Outrage in Parliament, PM calls it deplorable

Diplomat issue: Outrage in Parliament, PM calls it deplorable

Rediff.com18 Dec 2013

Amidst outrage expressed by members in Parliament, India on Wednesday asserted that it will intervene "effectively and specifically" to ensure the return and restoration of dignity of its Deputy Consul General in New York who has been arrested on charges of visa rules violation.

'Modi wants to hide the truth about caste census data'

'Modi wants to hide the truth about caste census data'

Rediff.com9 Aug 2021

'As soon as the BJP feels they are going to lose power, they will publish the caste census data of 2011 and conduct the caste census of 2021.'

Indian killed as Nepal police clear Madhesis from border point

Indian killed as Nepal police clear Madhesis from border point

Rediff.com2 Nov 2015

A 19-year-old Indian was killed as Nepal police opened fire on people demonstrating against the new Constitution near the Indo-Nepal border, hours after security forces baton-charged Madhesi protesters and evicted them from a key bridge in the area in a pre-dawn swoop.

The coup that changed India's Diaspora policy

The coup that changed India's Diaspora policy

Rediff.com7 Jan 2015

As India gears up to honour its pravasis on January 9 to mark their contribution in the nation's development, rediff.com presents perspectives from eminent writers on the Diaspora. Kicking off the series is Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, who points out that the change of the Diaspora policy put in place by Rajiv Gandhi following the military coup in Fiji and his decision to stand by them, was the one defining moment in India's dealings with its overseas family.

Of India, Snowden and global voyeurism

Of India, Snowden and global voyeurism

Rediff.com8 Jul 2013

India has no compelling reason to grant his request for asylum but was unduly inhibited in raising its voice against the United States' extensive and vulgar intrusion into the privacy of its institutions and citizens, says Shyam Saran

The new BJP is like the old Congress

The new BJP is like the old Congress

Rediff.com11 Dec 2019

While it took the Congress nearly a half century to earn the hatred of other political outfits, the BJP appears set to reach there in around six years, says Arun Bhatnagar, former secretary to the GoI.

Govt says RBI did not consult it over important decisions

Govt says RBI did not consult it over important decisions

Rediff.com30 Oct 2018

'The PCA framework was revised and tightened in April 2017, but there was no discussion in any board meeting. The government does not know the rationale behind revising the framework and how the RBI arrived at it. Similarly, there was no discussion in the board meeting on the revised NPA framework,' said an official.