News for 'Department of Foreign Affairs'

Russia to drop charges against rebel leader, Wagner chief to go to Belarus

Russia to drop charges against rebel leader, Wagner chief to go to Belarus

Rediff.com25 Jun 2023

After Wagner mercenary force chief Yevgeny Prigozhin decided to halt his forces' march to Moscow under deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

BJP Luminaries Gather In Varanasi

BJP Luminaries Gather In Varanasi

Rediff.com27 May 2024

The electoral battle in Varanasi, according to locals and political experts, is not about whether the PM will win for a third successive occasion, but if he will increase his share of the votes polled and his win margin.

42 Indians among 49 killed Kuwait apartment fire

42 Indians among 49 killed Kuwait apartment fire

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

Most deaths were due to smoke inhalation while residents were sleeping, and a significant number of occupants were evacuated, they added. The fire started in a kitchen in the six-storey building in the Mangaf area in Kuwait's southern Ahmadi Governorate, officials said, adding that the building reportedly had 195 people living in it, who are workers of the same company.

300 trafficked Indians revolt in Cambodia, several arrested: Andhra police

300 trafficked Indians revolt in Cambodia, several arrested: Andhra police

Rediff.com21 May 2024

As many as 150 youths from the port city and its vicinity have been stuck in Cambodia for a year already, where they are being coerced to carry out cyber crime and ponzi scams by Chinese handlers, the police said.

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.

Germany 'takes note' of Rahul's disqualification

Germany 'takes note' of Rahul's disqualification

Rediff.com30 Mar 2023

As Germany took note of Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday accused the Congress of 'inviting foreign powers' for interference in India's internal matters and the Opposition party hit back, alleging that its rival was attempting to divert attention from the Adani issue.

Kuwait emir promises action against those responsible for fire

Kuwait emir promises action against those responsible for fire

Rediff.com12 Jun 2024

In a condolence message sent to the families of the victims of the fire incident in Mangaf, the Emir expressed his sincere sorrow and deep sympathy to the families of the victims and wished a fast recovery to the injured.

US evades question on giving nod to Pak strike on Iran

US evades question on giving nod to Pak strike on Iran

Rediff.com19 Jan 2024

The United States on Thursday (local time) evaded a question on whether Pakistan held prior consultations with Washington, DC before conducting retaliatory air strikes on Iran.

Plane with bodies of Kuwait fire victims arrives in Delhi

Plane with bodies of Kuwait fire victims arrives in Delhi

Rediff.com14 Jun 2024

The air hung heavy with grief as an Indian Air Force aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 14 of the 45 Indians who died in a devastating fire at a building in Kuwait landed at Delhi's Palam technical area from Kerala's Kochi on Friday evening.

India's Foreign Trade Policy 2023 eyes $2 trillion exports by 2030

India's Foreign Trade Policy 2023 eyes $2 trillion exports by 2030

Rediff.com31 Mar 2023

The government on Friday came out with Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 which seeks to boost the country's exports to $2 trillion by 2030 by shifting from incentives to remission and entitlement based regime. Unlike the practice of announcing 5-year FTP, the latest policy has no end date and will be updated as and when needed, said Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Sarangi while briefing media about FTP 2023. Earlier, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled FTP 2023 which will come into effect from April 1, 2023.

No foreign entity has right to comment on India: Govt on US religious rights report

No foreign entity has right to comment on India: Govt on US religious rights report

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

No foreign entity or government has any locus standi to comment on the fundamental rights of Indian citizens, the government said on Thursday, rejecting a report by the US state department on the alleged curtailment of religious freedom in India.

Above-normal monsoon likely to ease food prices: FinMin

Above-normal monsoon likely to ease food prices: FinMin

Rediff.com26 Apr 2024

With the prediction of an above normal monsoon in 2024, the government is expecting food prices to come down, the finance ministry's monthly economic report for March has said. The report, released on Thursday, said robust foreign inflows and comfortable trade deficits were expected to keep the rupee within a comfortable range. "Further easing of food prices is on the anvil as IMD (India Meteorological Department) has predicted above-normal rainfall during the monsoon season, which is likely to lead to higher production, assuming good spatial and temporal distribution of the rainfall," the monthly report, released by the Department of Economic Affairs, said.

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.

India lambasts US report on religious freedom

India lambasts US report on religious freedom

Rediff.com28 Jun 2024

In an unusually hard-hitting response to criticism against it in a United States government report on religious freedom, India on Friday described the findings as 'deeply biased', visibly driven by 'votebank' considerations and a mix of imputations and selective usage of facts.

Court issues fresh summons to BBC, Wikimedia, US library over documentary row

Court issues fresh summons to BBC, Wikimedia, US library over documentary row

Rediff.com8 Jul 2023

They said according to the Hague Convention, the service upon a foreign entity had to be served through the prescribed rules.

Ayodhya's Ram temple gets FCRA nod, can receive forex donations

Ayodhya's Ram temple gets FCRA nod, can receive forex donations

Rediff.com18 Oct 2023

The Union home ministry has granted approval to the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra to receive contributions from foreign sources for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, its general secretary Champat Rai said on Wednesday.

Scale of human rights abuses increased under Modi: US report

Scale of human rights abuses increased under Modi: US report

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

An independent United States Congressional research report has alleged that the scope and scale of human rights abuses in India has increased under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Protect our CPEC workers from terror attacks, China tells Pak

Protect our CPEC workers from terror attacks, China tells Pak

Rediff.com16 May 2024

Pakistan's deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who is in China on a four-day visit, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the fifth round of the foreign minister-level China-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue.

IBSA forum mulls making aircraft

IBSA forum mulls making aircraft

Rediff.com14 May 2005

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.

Days after spy balloon row, US warns China against helping Russia

Days after spy balloon row, US warns China against helping Russia

Rediff.com19 Feb 2023

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned China that its 'material support' for Russia's war against Ukraine would attract sanctions and condemned the 'unacceptable violation' of American sovereignty by a Chinese spy balloon as he met Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi.

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.

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.

India-US statement on cross-border terror riles Pakistan

India-US statement on cross-border terror riles Pakistan

Rediff.com27 Jun 2023

Pakistan has formally lodged a protest with the US over its joint statement with India against the country's involvement in cross-border terrorism.

The Lives PSU Bankers Lead

The Lives PSU Bankers Lead

Rediff.com15 Jul 2024

A peek into the life of a public-sector banker who did well professionally, but paid a price for it, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Will Pinarayi Vijayan Survive Ally Anvar's Attack?

Will Pinarayi Vijayan Survive Ally Anvar's Attack?

Rediff.com5 Oct 2024

At a time when none in Kerala's Left politics questioned the chief minister's authority, MLA P V Anvar hurled a series of accusations against Pinarayi Vijayan's government, notes Shyam G Menon.

Imran aide, Pakistan ex-minister Qureshi rearrested on release from prison

Imran aide, Pakistan ex-minister Qureshi rearrested on release from prison

Rediff.com23 May 2023

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former foreign minister and vice-chairman of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party was arrested again on Tuesday, moments after being released from a prison in Rawalpindi on the orders of a top court.

Modi govt 3.0: Who is in, who is out

Modi govt 3.0: Who is in, who is out

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Over 65 Union ministers are likely to take oath, going by the visual of the meeting Modi held with his likely council of ministers.

China Threat Leads India Japan To Boost Defence Ties

China Threat Leads India Japan To Boost Defence Ties

Rediff.com22 Aug 2024

The compulsion behind India and Japan to deepen security cooperation is in response to China's growing political and economic clout and its assertive behaviour in disputed areas. This has been the key driver for bringing both India and Japan closer in the domain of security cooperation, explains Dr Rajaram Panda.

Will shut down Facebook ops if you don't cooperate in probe, warns HC

Will shut down Facebook ops if you don't cooperate in probe, warns HC

Rediff.com15 Jun 2023

The high court of Karnataka has orally warned Facebook (Meta) that it may order its operations in India to be shut down if it does not cooperate with police investigation over a fake profile.

Law panel recommends mandatory NRI, OCI marriage registration

Law panel recommends mandatory NRI, OCI marriage registration

Rediff.com16 Feb 2024

Such a legislation, the panel said, should be made applicable not only to the NRIs but also to those individuals who come within the definition of 'Overseas Citizens of India' as laid down in the Citizenship Act, 1955.

CBI files FIR against NewsClick, editor Puryakastha for forex breach

CBI files FIR against NewsClick, editor Puryakastha for forex breach

Rediff.com11 Oct 2023

The CBI registered an FIR against NewsClick and its founder Prabir Purkayastha for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and carried out searches at the office and residence of the portal's founder on Wednesday, officials said.

Foreign Secretary may improve India-China ties

Foreign Secretary may improve India-China ties

Rediff.com31 Jan 2018

'Vijay Gokhale's appointment as foreign secretary can be regarded as a certain 'adjustment' that could make a difference to the poor climate of India-China relations,' says Ambassdor M K Bhadrakumar.

Blinken postpones China trip amid spy balloon row

Blinken postpones China trip amid spy balloon row

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

Blinken was expected to meet with his Chinese counterpart, and potentially with President Xi Jinping.

Maldives assumes control of Indian chopper, civilian crew post military exit

Maldives assumes control of Indian chopper, civilian crew post military exit

Rediff.com7 Mar 2024

The principal director of plans, policy, and resources management for the Maldives National Defence Force, Colonel Ahmed Mujuthaba Mohamed said that discussions are underway for withdrawing Indian troops from the Maldives.

Budget may open window for big-ticket foreign investments

Budget may open window for big-ticket foreign investments

Rediff.com26 Jan 2021

The Centre plans to create a special window for strategically important investors such as sovereign wealth funds and pension funds that wish to invest over Rs 3,000 crore through a single transaction.

US report flags 'downward trend of democratic values' in India

US report flags 'downward trend of democratic values' in India

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

As the United States focuses on the Indo-Pacific, in particular the Quad, the Biden administration needs to address India's ties with Russia and its 'downward trend of democratic values and institutions', said a report by the Democratic Party of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.

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.

Lame duck Pompeo wants to shape US foreign policy

Lame duck Pompeo wants to shape US foreign policy

Rediff.com14 Nov 2020

China remains the elephant in the room and has to be tamed, which the United States alone is unable to do and therefore calls allies to come on board.

Think-tank funded by Gates, World Bank loses FCRA status

Think-tank funded by Gates, World Bank loses FCRA status

Rediff.com17 Jan 2024

The Union home ministry has cancelled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) for alleged violation of laws, a move the public think-tank termed "incomprehensible and disproportionate" and vowed to seek legal recourse against.