News for 'Department of Foreign Affairs'

Want to serve the nation? Join the Civil Services

Want to serve the nation? Join the Civil Services

Rediff.com29 Aug 2014

The Civil Services of India continue to be a prestigious avenue for all those dreaming of 'making it'. Here's how you can be an IAS/ IPS officer.

Indian-American Christians want PM to walk the talk

Indian-American Christians want PM to walk the talk

Rediff.com20 Mar 2015

'He needs to control his foot soldiers by taking either stern action against the over enthusiastic members of his group or convince them to stop causing him this embarrassment.' 'We know that most of these leaders are not going to be prosecuted by Indian authorities. So we are seeking alternate means to bring them to justice,' FIACONA President John Prabhudoss tells Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com

Pranab cremated with full state honours in shadow of pandemic

Pranab cremated with full state honours in shadow of pandemic

Rediff.com1 Sep 2020

Mukherjee's family and relatives paid their last respects clad in PPE kits while conforming to COVID-19 safeguards.

Govt to ease fund raising, revamp capital markets

Govt to ease fund raising, revamp capital markets

Rediff.com9 Sep 2014

The government is also working on Euroclearing, the world's biggest bond settlement system, for Indian debt securities.

Walmart case: Govt mulls defining lobbying activities

Walmart case: Govt mulls defining lobbying activities

Rediff.com5 Nov 2013

The government had constituted a one-man probe panel to look into Walmart's lobbying activities, after a political furore over the issue late last year.

Sushma-Lalit Modi row: Did PM tacitly help a fugitive, asks Congress

Sushma-Lalit Modi row: Did PM tacitly help a fugitive, asks Congress

Rediff.com15 Jun 2015

Congress charged the entire BJP and the government with "aiding and abetting" Lalit Modi, a fugitive.

Burns leaves for India for last minute N-talks

Burns leaves for India for last minute N-talks

Rediff.com21 Feb 2006

The US response to this proposal would be known after Burns discusses it with Indian officials when he is in Delhi this week.

Security concerns force Australia to postpone Bangladesh tour

Security concerns force Australia to postpone Bangladesh tour

Rediff.com1 Oct 2015

Cricket Australia said an independent security assessment confirmed there is a risk of terrorism in Bangladesh targeting Australian nationals.

Modi reminds BJP cadre: Nationalism is our identity

Modi reminds BJP cadre: Nationalism is our identity

Rediff.com23 Aug 2016

Though the prime minister did not make any direct mention of these issues, he noted that nationalism has been the party's identity, sources said.

Indian deputy consul general arrested in US on visa fraud charges

Indian deputy consul general arrested in US on visa fraud charges

Rediff.com13 Dec 2013

Devyani Khobragade, deputy consul general at the Indian consulate in New York, was arrested on charges that she allegedly presented fraudulent documents to the United States State Department in support of a visa application for an Indian national employed as a babysitter and housekeeper at her home in Manhattan.

Pro-actively pursuing case of missing Indian clerics: Pakistan

Pro-actively pursuing case of missing Indian clerics: Pakistan

Rediff.com18 Mar 2017

Two Indian clerics, including the head priest of New Delhi's Nizamuddin Dargah, have gone missing in Pakistan

I-T seizes over Rs 135 cr cash, jewellery from Sahara group

I-T seizes over Rs 135 cr cash, jewellery from Sahara group

Rediff.com24 Nov 2014

The agency had received intelligence inputs that a huge amount of "unaccounted" cash is lying at the groups properties at Delhi and Noida.

Black money: Reserve Bank to share info with IB, RAW

Black money: Reserve Bank to share info with IB, RAW

Rediff.com7 Mar 2016

The RBI has also been asked to consider displaying this information on its website.

Pranab heads for Russia; to attend Victory Day celebrations

Pranab heads for Russia; to attend Victory Day celebrations

Rediff.com7 May 2015

During the trip, Mukherjee will hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on civil nuclear cooperation, defence ties and partnership in higher education.

Don't leave diplomacy to diplomats

Don't leave diplomacy to diplomats

Rediff.com20 Jan 2014

The perfunctory management of external affairs has left India's foreign policy establishment largely unprepared to manage the consequences of dramatic international developments, says Nitin Pai.

Modi effect: MEA officials weed out old files, papers, junk

Modi effect: MEA officials weed out old files, papers, junk

Rediff.com28 Jun 2014

The suited and booted officials of the Ministry of External Affairs had a different job at hand on Sunday -- weeding out old files and papers and removing unusable and obsolete furniture.

India, China hold first-ever dialogue on Central Asia

India, China hold first-ever dialogue on Central Asia

Rediff.com14 Aug 2013

This is the first time such a bilateral dialogue focusing on Central Asia where the two countries have long and historical ties was held, reflecting deepening diplomatic engagement between the two neighbours even as they try to sort out friction resulting from recent reported incursions by Chinese troops along the Ladakh border

Good/Bad/Ugly: What will Obama's visit be like for India?

Good/Bad/Ugly: What will Obama's visit be like for India?

Rediff.com22 Jan 2015

'The real test will be in defence-related deals, for instance the Javelin anti-tank missile: Is the US willing to co-develop something with India, on terms that will support the 'Make in India' initiative? Is there defence technology transfer? Or will it dump old junk on India?' asks Rajeev Srinivasan.

CBDT shelves proposal to tax India-dedicated funds

CBDT shelves proposal to tax India-dedicated funds

Rediff.com18 Jan 2017

CBDT circular issued last month had raised multiple taxation concerns.

Why India must protest China's Hong Kong policy

Why India must protest China's Hong Kong policy

Rediff.com30 May 2020

'India need to look beyond the economic prism.' 'China had no qualms in taking the Kashmir issue to the UN Security Council last year -- not once, but thrice -- thus violating Indian sensitivities,' observes China expert Srikanth Kondapalli.

Govt reconstitutes FIPB

Govt reconstitutes FIPB

Rediff.com21 Feb 2003

With the shifting of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board to the finance ministry, the government has now reconstituted the board appointing Finance Secretary S Narayan as its chairperson.\n\n\n\n

Corporate espionage: CBI arrests Mumbai-based CA, 2 govt officials

Corporate espionage: CBI arrests Mumbai-based CA, 2 govt officials

Rediff.com13 Mar 2015

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday night arrested a Mumbai-based chartered accountant and two government officials for allegedly selling confidential documents related to foreign investment policy to corporate groups after it carried out searches in offices of Finance and Commerce Ministries in New Delhi and in Mumbai.

Jadhav case: India seeks consular access for 14th time, demands copy of verdict from Pak

Jadhav case: India seeks consular access for 14th time, demands copy of verdict from Pak

Rediff.com14 Apr 2017

Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Gautam Bambawale met Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua in connection with the case of Jadhav, who has been given death sentence by a Pakistani military court for alleged spying.

'Commercial pact with Etihad not to override Jet board powers'

'Commercial pact with Etihad not to override Jet board powers'

Rediff.com25 Sep 2013

Naresh Goyal-led Jet has also changed the shareholders agreement and amended the investment agreement and the articles of association, as suggested by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, headed by DEA Secretary Arvind Mayaram, official sources said.

Hope to get nod for airline joint venture with SIA: Tata Sons

Hope to get nod for airline joint venture with SIA: Tata Sons

Rediff.com7 Oct 2013

The proposal of Tatas and Singapore Airlines for a new joint venture, entailing foreign investment of $49 million, is likely to come up before the Foreign Investment Promotion Board for approval on October 18.

RSS questions US defence of Ford Foundation, Greepeace

RSS questions US defence of Ford Foundation, Greepeace

Rediff.com10 May 2015

Charging NGOs like Greenpeace with violating Indian laws, the RSS on Sunday called US as "the global police of democracy" and questioned its defence of the two organisations.

Why is Gen Rawat rushing with Theatre Commands?

Why is Gen Rawat rushing with Theatre Commands?

Rediff.com29 Jun 2021

The tearing hurry to form theatre commands has to be replaced by a balanced and deliberate approach. We need to accept that this process will take time if executed correctly and in the best interests of the Indian armed forces, argues Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

India's coronavirus count 166; Kashmir reports first case

India's coronavirus count 166; Kashmir reports first case

Rediff.com19 Mar 2020

The cases reported on Wednesday include a couple and their two-year-old daughter in Rajasthan who had recently returned from Italy. The patients belong to Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu and had returned from Italy on March 8.

Jaswant says Fema will be amended

Jaswant says Fema will be amended

Rediff.com10 May 2003

Finance Minister Jaswant Singh said on Saturday that he has approved the draft Cabinet note for amending Foreign Exchange Management Act.\n\n\n\n

Morgan Stanley keen to start proprietary trading in India

Morgan Stanley keen to start proprietary trading in India

Rediff.com25 Dec 2013

Indian brokerage arm of global investment banker Morgan Stanley has sought RBI's approval to start proprietary trading under which it will be able to buy and sell securities on its own account.

China hails Modi victory. This is why

China hails Modi victory. This is why

Rediff.com23 May 2019

There is a sense of relief in Beijing that Modi will be at the helm of affairs in Delhi at a critical juncture in the geopolitics of the region, says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Exclusive! Kerry, Burns, Biswal not informed of action against Khobragade

Exclusive! Kerry, Burns, Biswal not informed of action against Khobragade

Rediff.com18 Dec 2013

The investigations into and actions being taken by the US State Department's Diplomatic Security Service against Devyani Khobragade were not shared with Secretary of State John F Kerry, Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, or Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Nisha Desai Biswal, reveals Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa from Washington, DC.

Vikram J Singh joins Centre for American Progress as VP

Vikram J Singh joins Centre for American Progress as VP

Rediff.com11 Feb 2014

Vikram J Singh, the highest-ranking Indian American at the Pentagon is quitting his administration job to head up the national security division at the Center for American Progess -- a Washington, DC progressive think tank with close links to President Obama -- which has at its helm another Indian American, Neera Tanden.

Telecom fares poorly on the FDI front

Telecom fares poorly on the FDI front

Rediff.com15 Jan 2014

Since August 2013, FIPB has approved two FDI proposals in the telecom sector.

Government to take 'harsh punitive' action against shell cos

Government to take 'harsh punitive' action against shell cos

Rediff.com10 Feb 2017

In a major crackdown on domestic shell companies, the government on Friday decided to take "harsh punitive" action, including freezing of their bank accounts used to launder money or evade taxes.

PM's principal secy Nripendra Misra to step down

PM's principal secy Nripendra Misra to step down

Rediff.com31 Aug 2019

Modi has appointed P K Sinha, who superannuated as cabinet secretary on Friday, as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), he said.

DIPP to move Cabinet on FDI caps for some sectors

DIPP to move Cabinet on FDI caps for some sectors

Rediff.com2 Jul 2013

A panel headed by Economic Affairs secretary Arvind Mayaram had suggested FDI limit be raised to 49 per cent in almost all sectors through the automatic route.

Visa on arrival for 40 more countries to be a reality soon

Visa on arrival for 40 more countries to be a reality soon

Rediff.com8 Jan 2014

Tourist visa on arrival for 40 more countries including the US, the UK, Brazil, Germany, Canada and Australia, would soon be a reality as the Home Ministry is expected to clear the proposal soon.

Special evacuation flights for Indians in US to begin this week

Special evacuation flights for Indians in US to begin this week

Rediff.com5 May 2020

While no exact dates have been announced yet, the flights could take off from San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Washington DC, the officials said.

US expects India to talk to Pakistan

US expects India to talk to Pakistan

Rediff.com4 Apr 2018

'The Modi government would chaff at the very idea of holding talks with Pakistan, facilitated by Washington and under close US monitoring, when the 2019 poll is sailing into view.' 'But in politics and diplomacy, there may be moments when drinking from the chalice of poison is necessary,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.