News for 'Department of International Relations'

Is The Taliban Breaking Away From Pakistan?

Is The Taliban Breaking Away From Pakistan?

Rediff.com18 Jan 2022

The Taliban's main challenge comes on the financial and economic front and there Pakistan doesn't have the capacity to be of any meaningful help, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

How Modi, Rahul used Twitter during 2019 poll campaign

How Modi, Rahul used Twitter during 2019 poll campaign

Rediff.com10 Sep 2021

While both politicians tweeted about a slew of issues, they focused less on developmental issues related to the rural poor -- with Modi devoting a mere three per cent and Gandhi five per cent of his tweets to development, Abhijit Mazumdar, an assistant professor at Park University in Missouri said.

'America shall pay price': China summons US envoy over Pelosi's Taiwan visit

'America shall pay price': China summons US envoy over Pelosi's Taiwan visit

Rediff.com3 Aug 2022

China urged the US to immediately address its wrongdoings, take practical measures to undo the adverse effects caused by Pelosi's visit.

'We can't fall prey to Chinese strategy on LAC'

'We can't fall prey to Chinese strategy on LAC'

Rediff.com2 Jan 2023

'We must understand that the LAC is a political issue for China, so any action on the LAC will keep India focussed on the LAC which gives China the opportunity for any adventurism in the Indian Ocean.'

Modi's India First angers Xi

Modi's India First angers Xi

Rediff.com24 Jul 2020

'China is constantly probing India's weaknesses.' 'The challenge is to implement a strategy that will allow India to buy time, gather its strength, and eventually counter China,' recommends Harsh V Pant and Vinay Kaura.

Relationship with China has to be based on '3 mutuals': Foreign secy

Relationship with China has to be based on '3 mutuals': Foreign secy

Rediff.com9 Mar 2022

India has made it clear to China that peace and tranquillity in border areas is essential for the development of overall bilateral ties and the relationship has to be based on the 'three mutuals' of respect, sensitivity and interest, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said.

Lawsuit filed against Trump's new H-1B visa rules

Lawsuit filed against Trump's new H-1B visa rules

Rediff.com20 Oct 2020

Several individuals and organisations, including the US Chambers of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's recent rules related to the H-1B visa, terming them "arbitrary" and "haphazard" regulations that will undermine high skilled immigration into America. Early this month, the Trump administration announced new restrictions on H-1B non-immigrant visa programme which it said is aimed at protecting American workers, restoring integrity and to better guarantee that H-1B petitions are approved only for qualified beneficiaries and petitioners, a move which is likely to affect thousands of Indian IT professionals.

UK agrees to support India's defence manufacturing

UK agrees to support India's defence manufacturing

Rediff.com23 Apr 2022

After his wide-ranging talks with Modi on the second and final day of his India visit, Johnson said the new defence and security partnership will enable India to strengthen its domestic defence industry as well as help the two countries protect vital shared interests in the Indo-Pacific.

3 killed, 4 injured in stampede at Khatu Shyam ji Temple in Sikar

3 killed, 4 injured in stampede at Khatu Shyam ji Temple in Sikar

Rediff.com8 Aug 2022

The devotees from Rajasthan and neighbouring states had been waiting at the temple premises in several queues to seek darshan on the occasion of 'Gyaras', an auspicious day as per Hindu calendar.

High court rules in favour of Vodafone in tax case

High court rules in favour of Vodafone in tax case

Rediff.com8 Oct 2015

Vodafone pleaded in High Court that IT department had no jurisdiction in the transfer pricing case because the said transaction was not international and did not attract tax.

US won't send officials to Beijing Winter Olympics

US won't send officials to Beijing Winter Olympics

Rediff.com7 Dec 2021

'The Biden administration will not send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games given the PRC's ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses.'

Retro Tax: Cairn drops lawsuits in US, UK

Retro Tax: Cairn drops lawsuits in US, UK

Rediff.com26 Dec 2021

Britain's Cairn Energy Plc has dropped lawsuits against the Indian government and its entities in the US and other places and is in the final stages of withdrawing cases in Paris and the Netherlands to get back about Rs 7,900 crore that were collected from it to enforce a retrospective tax demand. As part of the settlement reached with the government to the seven-year old dispute over levy of back taxes, the company - which is now known as Capricorn Energy PLC - has initiated proceedings to withdraw lawsuits it had filed in several jurisdictions to enforce an international arbitration award which had overturned levy of Rs 10,247 crore retrospective taxes and ordered India to refund the money already collected. Two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said Cairn on November 26 withdrew the lawsuit it had brought in Mauritius for recognition of the arbitration award and took similar measures in courts in Singapore, the UK and Canada.

5G spectrum auction: Trai releases consultation paper

5G spectrum auction: Trai releases consultation paper

Rediff.com30 Nov 2021

Telecom regulator TRAI on Tuesday released a detailed consultation paper to discuss threadbare the modalities for auction of spectrum across multiple bands, including pricing, quantum and other conditions -- preparing the groundwork for 5G auctions slated for next year. Trai's comprehensive consultation paper runs into 207 pages and throws up 74 questions for industry-wide discussion, touching on crucial aspects like valuation and reserve price of spectrum, including 5G, quantum of spectrum, block size, eligibility conditions for participation in auction, roll-out obligations, spectrum cap, and surrender of spectrum. Norms will also be worked out for new frequencies such as 526-698 MHz and millimetre band, that is 24.25 - 28.5 GHz, in addition to bands such as 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300-3670 MHz.

COVID vaccine likely to be available by first of 2021: Choubey

COVID vaccine likely to be available by first of 2021: Choubey

Rediff.com19 Sep 2020

Responding to another question, Choubey said that the phase-I of clinical trials have revealed excellent safety of the two candidate vaccines indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research and Cadila Healthcare Ltd, and now their immunogenicity testing is in progress. Their phase II clinical trials are ongoing.

'Kris' Gopalakrishnan is first chair of RBI's innovation hub

'Kris' Gopalakrishnan is first chair of RBI's innovation hub

Rediff.com17 Nov 2020

In August, the central bank had announced that it will set up the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) to promote innovation across the financial sector by leveraging on technology and creating an environment that would facilitate and foster innovation.

Will Formula E revive Indian motorsport?

Will Formula E revive Indian motorsport?

Rediff.com10 Jul 2022

The inaugural Formula E race in Hyderabad is scheduled for February 11 next year, joining the likes of New York, London and Rome on the calendar.

US imposes sweeping new sanctions on Iran

US imposes sweeping new sanctions on Iran

Rediff.com22 Sep 2020

'Today, I am taking new actions to restrict Iran's nuclear, ballistic missile, and conventional weapons pursuits. My Administration will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon, nor will we allow Iran to endanger the rest of the world with a fresh supply of ballistic missiles and conventional arms,' Trump said in a statement.

Kerala, AP, Chandigarh report 1st Omicron cases; India's tally rises to 38

Kerala, AP, Chandigarh report 1st Omicron cases; India's tally rises to 38

Rediff.com12 Dec 2021

The Omicron variant was first detected in India in Bengaluru with two people testing positive for it comprising a South African national of Indian origin and a doctor.

China to permit 'some' Indian students to return

China to permit 'some' Indian students to return

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

China on Friday announced plans to permit the return of 'some' Indian students stranded in India for over two years following the visa and flight restrictions imposed by Beijing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why RBI officers are peeved with the central bank

Why RBI officers are peeved with the central bank

Rediff.com29 Nov 2019

RBI's oversight cadre move creates HR trouble, officers threaten agitation.

COVID-19 came from China, US not going to take it lightly: Trump

COVID-19 came from China, US not going to take it lightly: Trump

Rediff.com22 May 2020

The US president in the last several weeks has been very critical of China's inability to control the spread of the novel coronavirus within its territory. By Thursday more than 94,000 Americans have died due to the coronavirus and over 1.6 million have tested positive.

BJP members disrupted Parl panel meet on Pegasus: Tharoor

BJP members disrupted Parl panel meet on Pegasus: Tharoor

Rediff.com8 Aug 2021

Tharoor put the blame for the logjam in Parliament on BJP and accused the saffron party of reducing the "temple of democracy to a rubber stamp for its agenda or worse, a notice board to announce its unilateral decisions".

ED registers money laundering case in Kerala gold smuggling

ED registers money laundering case in Kerala gold smuggling

Rediff.com22 Jul 2020

The ED case has been booked under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the agency will record the statement of the accused. The central agency will investigate if proceeds of crime were generated by the accused by laundering of funds that were earned through the alleged gold smuggling racket.

10 things to know about Gita Gopinath, IMF's new chief economist

10 things to know about Gita Gopinath, IMF's new chief economist

Rediff.com6 Oct 2018

Announcing her appointment, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde hailed the Mysore-born Gopinath as "one of the world's outstanding economists with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership and extensive international experience".

Pak PM Imran Khan set to meet Putin within hours of Ukraine attack

Pak PM Imran Khan set to meet Putin within hours of Ukraine attack

Rediff.com24 Feb 2022

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday began his engagements in Moscow by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and is scheduled to meet Vladimir Putin, hours after the Russian president ordered a special military operation in eastern Ukraine, ignoring last-minute appeals and warnings from the West.

The Heroes Who Vaccinate You!

The Heroes Who Vaccinate You!

Rediff.com5 May 2021

Mrigank Warrier reports on life -- beyond masks and PPE suits -- of frontline medical personnel at vaccination centres.

Jack Brooks apologises to Pujara for racist nickname

Jack Brooks apologises to Pujara for racist nickname

Rediff.com18 Nov 2021

Somerset seamer Jack Brooks apologised to Cheteshwar Pujara for his role in nicknaming the India Test specialist "Steve" during his time at Yorkshire.

Video shows out-on-bail Pragya Thakur playing kabaddi

Video shows out-on-bail Pragya Thakur playing kabaddi

Rediff.com14 Oct 2021

"You never know at which moment it can create problems for her. There is a problem with her L4 and L5 bones (vertebrae) as they got dislocated because ATS Maharashtra (investigators) threw her on the floor," Upma Thakur, Pragya Thakur's sister said.

FIR reveals how CBI officers compromised probe for kickbacks

FIR reveals how CBI officers compromised probe for kickbacks

Rediff.com15 Jan 2021

CBI officials booked for graft by the central probe agency were not only receiving regular kickbacks for compromising investigation, but were also acting as conduits to bribe their peers on behalf of companies accused of siphoning off crores of public money from banks, the FIR against them alleges.

Modi Has Enormous Curiosity About The World

Modi Has Enormous Curiosity About The World

Rediff.com24 May 2022

'From the very start, PM Modi was insistent that visiting foreign leaders should be exposed to an India beyond its capital.' 'Through these experiences, he felt that the full Indian narrative would be much better understood across the world,' explains External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. A riveting excerpt from Bluekraft Digital Foundation's Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery.

Phase-I trials of 2 Indian Covid vaccines reveal 'excellent safety': Govt

Phase-I trials of 2 Indian Covid vaccines reveal 'excellent safety': Govt

Rediff.com15 Sep 2020

Phase-I clinical trials have revealed "excellent safety" of the two candidate vaccines indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research and Cadila Healthcare Ltd and their immunogenicity testing is now in progress, minister of state for health Ashwini Choubey informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Smog covers Delhi-NCR, air quality still severe

Smog covers Delhi-NCR, air quality still severe

Rediff.com11 Nov 2021

Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said the ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency.

'Shameful': US after China makes Galwan soldier as Olympics torchbearer

'Shameful': US after China makes Galwan soldier as Olympics torchbearer

Rediff.com4 Feb 2022

The United States has asserted that it stands with India against Chinese aggression as several lawmakers slammed China for choosing a People's Liberation Army soldier.

US lifts global travel alert, urges citizens not to visit India, China

US lifts global travel alert, urges citizens not to visit India, China

Rediff.com7 Aug 2020

'Do not travel to India due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism'

Why public sector companies are unable to attract talent for higher posts

Why public sector companies are unable to attract talent for higher posts

Rediff.com18 Sep 2022

Earlier this year, the Union Cabinet gave the management of state-run companies the freedom to decide on divesting their subsidiaries. However, the very next day a meeting was held at the top level of the Government of India, for the presentation of proposals for more autonomy for state-run companies. Interestingly, no chiefs of any of these companies were invited. It is a problem that will stare the government in the face with the state-owned banks too, as talks have again begun for inviting strategic investments in these companies.

Four states report 14 new Omicron cases, India tally rises to 87

Four states report 14 new Omicron cases, India tally rises to 87

Rediff.com16 Dec 2021

While Karnataka reported five new cases, Delhi and Telangana reported four each, and Gujarat reported one fresh case of the Omicron variant.

Cricket Australia in trouble; Broadcaster threatens to end contract

Cricket Australia in trouble; Broadcaster threatens to end contract

Rediff.com28 Aug 2020

CA said it was disappointed with broadcaster's comments and would deliver a 'full and compelling summer of cricket'.

Cairn officially withdraws cases to get Rs 7,900 cr tax refund

Cairn officially withdraws cases to get Rs 7,900 cr tax refund

Rediff.com3 Nov 2021

UK-based Cairn Energy PLC on Wednesday said it has agreed to drop litigations to seize Indian properties in countries ranging from France to the UK as it has accepted the Indian government's offer to settle tax dispute relating to the levy of taxes retrospectively. Meeting the requirements of new legislation that scraps levy of retrospective taxation, the company has given required undertakings indemnifying the Indian government against future claims as well as agreeing to drop any legal proceedings anywhere in the world. The government now has to accept this and issue Cairn a so-called Form-II, that will commit it to refund the tax collected to enforce the retrospective tax demand.

US Secretary of State to visit India on July 27 and 28

US Secretary of State to visit India on July 27 and 28

Rediff.com23 Jul 2021

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his maiden trip to India next week would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues, his spokesperson said on Friday.

From Forest Hut To Top UK College

From Forest Hut To Top UK College

Rediff.com28 Sep 2021

Hercules Singh Munda's father used to open the gates to a forest. Today, Hercules leaves for London to open the gates of his many dreams.